tg.stone of tears-第96章

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　'We're　running　out　of　time。　Do　you　feel　anything　yet？　Do　you　feel　the　way　yet？'
　
　'Nothing。　I'm　sorry；　Richard。　I　have　failed　in　my　duty；　failed　the　Creator。　I've　killed　us　both。'
　
　'Not　yet。'
　
　Richard　whistled　for　the　horses。　They　came　at　a　trot；　ignored　by　the　dark　forms。　Bonnie　nuzzled　her　head　against　him；　forcing　him　back　a　step。　Sister　Verna　took　up　the　lead　line　and　started　leading　Jessup　away。
　
　'No！'　Richard　leapt　up　onto　Bonnie。　He　swatted　two　clicking　bugs　from　his　pant　leg。　'Mount　up。　Hurry。'
　
　Sister　Verna　stared　at　him。　'Richard；　we　can't　ride　the　horses。　I　told　you　that。　They　are　just　dumb　animals。　They　will　be　spooked　and　take　us　into　a　storm　of　spells。　We　can't　control　them　without　bits！'
　
　'Sister；　you　told　me　you　read　The　Adventures　of　Bonnie　Day。　Do　you　remember　when　the　three　heroes　were　taking　the　injured　people　to　safety；　and　they　came　to　the　poison　river　that　couldn't　be　crossed？　What　did　they　say？　They　said　that　the　people　just　had　to　have　faith　that　it　could　be　done。　Bonnie；　Geraldine；　and　Jessup　led　them　across　the　river。　Have　faith；　Sister。　Mount　up。　Hurry。'
　
　'You　want　me　to　do　something　I　know　will　get　us　killed　because　of　some　fool　thing　you　read　in　a　book！　We　must　walk！'
　
　Bonnie　tossed　her　head　and　danced　about。　Richard　took　up　the　slack　in　the　reins　to　keep　her　in　place。　'You　don't　know　the　way。　I　don't　know　the　way。　If　we　stay　we　die。'
　
　Then　what　good　is　riding　going　to　do！'　She　had　to　give　a　sharp　tug　to　keep　Jessup　still。　He　was　roused　by　Bonnie's　excitement。
　
　'Sister；　what　have　the　horses　been　doing　all　day；　whenever　we　let　them？'
　
　'Browsing　on　grass　that　isn't　there。　They're　having　visions！'
　
　'Are　they？　Do　you　know　that？　What　if　what　we're　seeing　is　the　illusion？　Maybe　they　see　what's　really　here。　Now　let's　go！'
　
　The　dark　forms　were　closer；　their　eyes　glowing　a　brighter　red。　Sister　Verna　glanced　at　them；　and　then　pulled　herself　up　onto　the　saddle。　'But　…'
　
　'Have　a　little　faith；　Sister。'　Bonnie　pranced　sideways；　eager　to　be　off。　'I　promised　you　I　would　save　you；　and　I　intend　to。　I'll　lead。　Don't　hold　back。'
　
　Richard　gave　his　horse　a　sharp　kick　in　the　ribs　with　his　heels　while　shouting　the　mand。　She　leapt　out　into　a　dead　run。　The　other　two　horses　sprang　to　follow。　He　leaned　forward　over　Bonnie's　withers　as　she　stretched　into　the　gallop。　He　let　her　have　free　rein；　without　giving　her　any　hint　of　direction。　He　focused　on　her　ears；　instead　of　what　lay　ahead；　not　wanting　to　influence　her。
　
　'Richard！'　Sister　Verna　screamed　from　behind。　'In　the　name　of　the　Creator；　watch　where　you're　going！　Don't　you　see　what　you're　leading　that　horse　into！'
　
　'I'm　not　leading　her；'　he　called　out　over　the　sound　of　thundering　hooves。　'She　is　picking　her　own　course。'
　
　The　Sister　galloped　up　beside　him；　her　eyebrows　knit　together　in　fury。　'Are　you　insane？　Look　at　where　you're　headed！'
　
　Richard　snatched　a　glance。　They　were　rushing　headlong　for　the　edge　of　a　cliff。
　
　'Close　your　eyes；　Sister。'
　
　'Have　you　lost　your　。。。'
　
　'Close　your　eyes！　It's　a　vision。　A　vision　of　a　fear　we　all　have　in　mon　…　falling。　Just　like　we　both　saw　snakes。'
　
　'The　snakes　were　real！　If　you're　wrong　we　will　be　killed！'
　
　'Close　your　eyes。　If　it's　really　there；　the　horses　won't　run　over　the　edge　of　a　cliff。'　He　hoped　he　was　right　about　that。
　
　'Unless　it's　really　there；　and　the　magic　shows　them　a　vision　of　flat　ground　so　as　to　kill　us！'
　
　'If　we　stay；　we　die！　We　have　no　choice！'
　
　He　heard　a　growled　curse　from　her　as　she　hauled　in　on　her　left　rein；　trying　to　turn　her　horse；　but　Jessup　stayed　with　Bonnie。　Bonnie　was　leading；　Jessup　and　Geraldine　wouldn't　leave　her。
　
　'I　told　you　destroying　those　bits　was　foolish！　We　can't　control　them！　They're　running　away　with　us！'
　
　'I　told　you　I　would　save　you。　Destroying　those　bits　is　what　will　save　you。　My　eyes　are　closed。　If　you　want　to　live；　close　yours！'
　
　Sister　Verna　was　silent　as　the　three　horses　thundered　on。　Richard's　eyes　were　squeezed　shut。　When　he　judged　they　should　be　at　the　brink；　he　held　his　breath。　He　prayed　that　the　good　spirits　would　be　with　him　this　time。
　
　His　legs　tingled　in　anticipation　of　plummeting　over　a　cliff。　He　tried　not　to　think　of　what　it　would　be　like　on　the　way　down。　Shared　fear；　that's　all　it　was。　He　realized　he　was　holding　Bonnie's　mane　in　a　death　grip。　He　relaxed　his　fingers　but　kept　his　eyes　closed。
　
　The　plunge　didn't　e。
　
　The　three　horses　galloped　on。　He　did　nothing　to　slow　them；　but　let　them　run　as　they　would。　They　were　in　a　frisky　mood　from　grazing　all　day；　and　he　could　tell　they　were　enjoying　the　run。　They　were　running　for　the　sheer　joy　of　it。
　
　After　a　time；　Richard　realized　that　the　sound　of　their　hooves　was　changing。　It　wasn't　as　sharp；　it　had　grown　softer。
　
　'Richard！　We're　out　of　the　valley！'
　
　He　looked　back　over　his　shoulder　to　see　the　wisp　of　dark　storm　clouds　boiling　at　the　edge　of　the　horizon。　The　golden　sun　hung　low　in　the　sky　over　the　grassy；　undulating　ground　beneath　them。　Their　horses　slowed　to　a　canter。
　
　'Are　you　sure？　Are　you　sure　we're　away　from　it？'
　
　She　nodded。　'This　is　the　Old　World。　I　know　this　place。'
　
　'But　it　could　still　be　an　illusion；　to　give　us　confidence；　and　trap　us　before　we're　clear。'
　
　'Must　you　always　question　what　I　tell　you？　I　can　feel　it　with　my　Han。　This　is　no　illusion。　We　are　safely　out　of　the　valley　and　away　from　its　magic。　It　cannot　reach　us　now。'
　
　Richard　wondered　briefly　if　she　could　still　be　an　illusion。　But　he；　too；　sensed　that　the　danger　was　no　longer　there。　He　leaned　forward　and　gave　Bonnie's　warm　neck　a　big　hug。
　
　The　immense　hills　they　were　entering　were　barren　of　trees；　covered　with　clumps　of　grass　and　wildflowers；　the　low　places　sprinkled　throughout　with　sandy…colored　rocks。　The　sun　shined　warmly；　but　it　no　longer　scorched　the　land。　Richard　laughed　into　the　wind　at　his　face。
　
　He　grinned　at　Sister　Verna；　but　she　wasn't　smiling。　Her　brow　was　creased　with　a　scowl　as　she　scanned　the　sweep　of　hills　before　them。
　
　'Wipe　that　grin　off　your　face；'　she　snapped。
　
　'I'm　just　happy　we　made　it。　I'm　happy　you're　alive；　Sister。'
　
　'If　you　had　any　idea　how　angry　I　am　with　you　right　now；　Richard；　you　would　not　be　quite　so　pleased　I　am　still　with　you。　Take　this　advice　seriously：　you　would　be　doing　yourself　a　great　favor；　right　now；　if　you　kept　that　tongue　of　yours　still。'
　
　He　could　only　shake　his　head。
　
　
　CHAPTER　33
　
　'You　must　cut　off　my　arm。'
　
　Zedd　drew　the　sleeve　of　the　sky　blue；　satin　robe　down　her　arm；　covering　the　wound　that　wouldn't　heal；　and　the　faint　green　glow　of　her　flesh。
　
　'I'm　not　cutting　off　your　arm；　Adie。　How　many　times　do　I　have　to　tell　you？'
　
　He　set　the　cut…glass　lamp　back　on　a　side　table　inlaid　with　silver　worked　in　floral　patterns；　next　to　the　tray　of　brown　bread　and　half…eaten　lamb　stew；　and　strolled　across　the　carpets　to　draw　the　heavy；　embroidered　curtains　back　a　bit　with　a　thin　finger。　He　peered；　without　seeing；　out　the　frost…laced　window；　at　the　dark　street。　The　glow　from　the　fire　in　the　outer　room　cast　a　warm；　dim　light　through　the　open　double　doors。　The　rooms　were　fairly　quiet；　considering　the　size　of　the　crowd　down　in　the　dining　room。
　
　The　Ram's　Horn　did　a　bustling　business　despite　it　being　the　dead　of　winter；　or　perhaps　because　of　it。　The　open　road　was　no　place　to　sleep　in　this　cold　and　snow；　and　trade　couldn't　stop　simply　because　of　the　season。　Merchants；　drivers；　and　travelers　of　every　sort　filled　this　inn；　as　well　as　all　the　others　in　Penverro。
　
　He　and　Adie　had　been　lucky　to　find　lodging。　Or　perhaps　the　innkeeper　had　been　the　lucky　one；　lucky　that　someone　would　e　along　who　was　willing　to　pay　the　outrageous　price　he　asked　for　his　finest　rooms。
　
　But　the　price　of　the　rooms　did　not　concern　Zedd；　producing　the　required　price　in　gold　was　no　problem　for　a　wizard　of　the　First　Order。　He　had　real　problems；　though。　The　gash　where　the　skrin　had　cut　Adie　with　its　claw　wasn't　healing。　In　fact；　it　was　getting　worse。　And　it　would　do　no　good　trying　to　use　more　magic　to　cure　the　wound；　magic　was　the　trouble。
　
　'Listen　to　me；　old　man。'　Adie　levered　herself　up　in　the　bed；　onto　one　elbow。　'It　be　the　only　way　to　stop　it。　You　have　tried；　and　I　do　not　fault　your　efforts。　But　if　we　don't　stop　it；　I　will　die。　What　be　one　arm；　pared　to　my　life？　If　you　do　not　have　the　courage；　then　give　me　a　knife。　I　can　do　the　work　myself。'
　
　He　scowled　over　his　shoulder。　'Of　that；　dear　lady；　I　have　no　doubt。　But　it　would　do　no　good；　I'm　afraid。'
　
　'What　do　you　mean？'　she　asked　in　a　low　rasp。
　
　He　plucked　a　cold　chunk　of　lamb　from　the　gold…rimmed　bowl　and　popped　it　in　his　mouth　before　he　hiked　his　lavish　robes　up　a　bit　and　sat　on　the　edge　of　the　bed。　He　took　up　her　good　hand　as　he　chewed。　It　seemed　thin　and　frail；　but　he　knew　her　to　be　more　the　stuff　of　iron。
　
　'Adie；　do　you　know　anyone　with　knowledge　of　this　sort　of　taint？'
　
　She　ignored　his　question。　'Why　do　you　say　it　will　do　no　good？'
　
　Zedd　patted　her　hand。　'Answer　the　question。　Do　you　know　anyone　who　would　know　anything　about　this？'
　
　'I　would　have　to　think　on　it　some；　but　I　do　not　think　there　be　anyone　still　alive　who　would　have　such　knowledge。　You　be　a　wizard；　who　would　know　better　than　you？　Wizards　be　healers。'　She　took　back　her　hand。　'And　what　do　you　mean　cutting　off　the　arm　would　do　no　good？'　She　was　silent　a　moment；　and　then　her　eyes　widened。　'You　mean　it　be　too　late　。。。？'
　
　Zedd　stood　and　turned　away　from　her。　He　put　a　hand　on　his　bony　hip　as　he　considered　the　options。　There　was　not　much　to　consider。
　
　'Think　on　it；　Adie；　and　do　so　with　haste。　This　is　beyond　my　knowledge；　and　it　is　serious。'
　
　He　heard　the　bed　squeak　as　Adie　sank　back　down　onto　the　pillows。　She　released　a　tired　sigh。
　
　'Then　I　be　dead。　At　least　my　spirit　will　be　with　my　Pell；　at　last。　You　must　go　on　now。　Do　not　waste　any　more　time。　I　have　already　slowed　you　too　much；　been　in　this　bed　too　many　days。　You　must　get　to　Aydindril。　Please；　Zedd；　don't　let　me　be　responsible　for　what　will　happen　if　you　don't　get　to　Aydindril。　Go　help　Richard；　and　leave　me　to　my　end。'
　
　Adie；　please　do　as　I　ask；　and　think。　Who　would　be　able　to　help　us？'
　
　Too　late；　he　realized　he　had　just　made　a　mistake。　He　winced　and　waited　for　what　he　knew　what　was　ing。
　
　He　heard　the　bedsprings　squeak　again。　'Us？'
　
　'I　simply　mean　。。。'
　
　She　snatched　the　sleeve　of　his　fine　robes　and　spun　him　around。　Her　brow　was　set　in　a　serious　scowl。　She　gave　a　firm　tug；　forcing　him　to　sit　on　the　bed　next　to　her。　Her　eyes　seemed　more　pink　than　white　in　the　lamplight；　yet　he　could　see　the　dim　haze　of　green　in　them。
　
　'Us？'　she　repeated。　This　time　it　came　out　in　a　growling　rasp。　And　you　plain　about　the　small　secrets　a　sorceress　would　choose　to　keep　to　herself！　Out　with　it；　or　I　will　make　you　sorry　you　dragged　me　along　with　you。'
　
　Zedd　gave　a　tired　sigh。　It　was　just　as　well；　he　couldn't　keep　it　from　her　much　longer　anyway。　He　drew　the　dark　sleeve　of　his　robe　up　his　arm。
　
　The　flesh　of　his　upper　arm；　in　the　same　place　where　her　arm　had　been　cut；　was　blotched　with　cloudy　black　circles　about　the　size　o