tg.stone of tears-第50部分

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er　it　takes　to　stop　it；　or　everyone　will　suffer。　And　the　Keeper　will　have　you；　forever。
　
　That　thought　scares　me　more　than　anything　in　my　life　has　ever　scared　me。　It　wakes　me　with　nightmares。　There　isn’t　anything　I　wouldn’t　do　to　stop　him　from　getting　you。　I　won’t　take　a　chance　of　missing　anything；　no　matter　the　risk。　I　have　to　have　the　gathering。’　His　gaze　held　hers。　‘Even　though　I　fear　it　might　be　a　trap；　I　have　to　try。’
　
　‘A　trap？　。。。　You　think　it　might　be　a　trap？’
　
　‘It　could　be。　We　have　been　warned。　At　least　we　can　be　alert　for　it。’　He　looked　down　at　her　hand　in　his。　‘I　won’t　have　the　sword　in　the　gathering。　Do　you　think　you　can　call　down　the　lightning　if　you　have　to？’
　
　Kahlan　shook　her　head。　‘I　don’t　know；　Richard。　I　don’t　know　how　I　did　it。　It　just　happened。　I　don’t　know　how　to　control　it。’
　
　He　nodded　as　he　rubbed　the　back　of　her　hand　with　his　thumbs。　‘Well；　maybe　you　won’t　have　to　try。　Maybe　the　ancestors’　spirits　will　be　able　to　help　us。　They　helped　us　before。’
　
　Richard　reached　up　and　gripped　the　Agiel。　His　gray　eyes　were　filled　with　the　pain　of　the　headache。　He　sank　down　and　put　his　head　in　his　hands　as　she　sat　next　to　him。　‘I　have　to　rest　awhile　before　we　go　back。　This　headache　is　killing　me。’
　
　She　feared　he　was　right；　that　the　headache　really　was　killing　him。　She　ached　for　the　next　day；　when　they　could　get　to　Zedd；　get　to　help。
　
　
　It　was　late　afternoon　by　the　time　they　returned　to　the　celebration；　the　banquet。　Richard’s　head　was　a　little　better；　but　still　hurt　him　enough　to　leave　the　pain　in　his　eyes。　The　elders　stood　as　the　two　of　them　approached　the　open　pole　shelter。　The　Bird　Man　stepped　forward。
　
　‘What　of　the　Bantak？　Did　you　see　them？　There　has　been　no　word　from　Chandalen。’
　
　Kahlan　held　the　gold　medallion　out　to　him　and　let　it　drop　in　his　hand　when　it　came　up。
　
　‘We　found　them；　to　the　north；　as　Richard　said　we　would。　Ma　Ban　Grid　sent　this　as　a　gift　to　tell　the　Mud　People　that　the　Bantak　will　not　make　war　with　them。　They　made　a　mistake；　and　are　sorry。　We　made　them　see　that　the　Mud　People　mean　them　no　harm。　Chandalen　has　also　made　a　mistake。’
　
　The　Bird　Man　nodded　solemnly；　and　turned　to　a　hunter　standing　nearby；　telling　him　to　bring　back　Chandalen　and　his　men。　Kahlan　didn’t　think　he　looked　as　pleased　as　she　thought　he　would　be。
　
　‘Honored　elder；　is　something　wrong？’
　
　His　brown　eyes　seemed　heavy。　He　glanced　to　Richard　and　back　to　her。　‘Two　of　the　Sisters　of　the　Light　have　returned。　They　wait　in　the　spirit　house。’
　
　Kahlan’s　heart　jumped。　She　had　hoped　they　wouldn’t　be　back　so　soon。　What　had　it　been；　only　a　few　days？　She　turned　to　Richard。
　
　The　Sisters　of　the　Light　are　waiting　in　the　spirit　house。’
　
　Richard　sighed。　‘Nothing　is　ever　easy。’　He　addressed　the　Bird　Man。　Tonight　is　the　gathering。　Will　you　be　ready？’
　
　‘Tonight　the　spirits　will　be　with　us。　We　will　be　ready。’
　
　‘Be　careful。　Take　nothing　for　granted。　All　our　lives　depend　on　it。’　He　took　her　arm。　‘Let’s　see　if　we　can　put　a　stop　to　this。’
　
　They　walked　together　across　the　field；　past　the　roar　of　the　fires。　People　were　still　everywhere；　eating；　dancing；　playing　the　boldas　and　drums。　There　were　fewer　children　about。　Some　were　off　napping；　but　some　still　managed　to　dance　and　play。
　
　Three　days；’　he　muttered。
　
　‘What？’
　
　‘It’s　been　three　days；　almost；　since　they　were　here　last。　I　will　send　them　away；　and　tomorrow；　we　will　be　gone。　When　they　e　back　in　another　three　days；　we　will　have　been　in　Aydindril　for　two。’
　
　She　stared　ahead　as　they　walked。　That　is　if　they　keep　to　the　same　schedule。　Who　says　they　won’t　show　up　for　the　third　time　after　only　one　day。　Or　one　hour。’
　
　She　could　feel　his　eyes　on　her；　but　she　didn’t　look　over　when　he　spoke。　‘Are　you　trying　to　make　a　point？’
　
　‘You　only　get　three　chances；　Richard。　I’m　afraid　for　you。　I’m　afraid　of　the　headaches。’
　
　This　time；　she　did　look　over；　but　he　didn’t。　‘I　won’t　wear　a　collar。　Not　for　any　reason。　Not　for　anyone。’
　
　‘I　know；’　she　whispered。
　
　He　yanked　the　door　open　and　strode　into　the　spirit　house。　His　jaw　was　set　with　determination。　His　eyes　fixed　on　the　two　women　standing　in　the　center　of　the　dimly　lit　room　as　he　marched　up　to　them。　Both　wore　their　cloaks　with　the　hoods　pushed　back。　Their　faces；　in　mild　frowns；　seemed　almost　calm。
　
　Richard　stopped　in　front　of　the　two。　‘I　have　questions；　and　I　want　answers。’
　
　‘We　are　glad　to　see　you　are　still　well；　Richard；’　Sister　Verna　said。　‘Still　alive。’
　
　‘Why　did　Sister　Grace　kill　herself？　Why　did　you　allow　it？’
　
　Sister　Elizabeth　stepped　in　front　of　Sister　Verna。　She　held　the　open　collar　in　her　hands。　‘We　told　you　before；　discussion　is　over。　It　is　by　the　rules　now。’
　
　‘I　have　rules　too。’　With　his　fists　on　his　hips；　he　looked　to　each　woman　in　turn。　‘My　first　rule　is　that　neither　of　you　is　going　to　kill　herself　today。’
　
　They　ignored　him。　‘You　will　listen。　I；　Sister　of　the　Light；　Elizabeth　Myric；　give　the　second　reason　for　the　Rada’Han；　give　the　second　chance　to　be　helped。　The　first　of　the　three　reasons　for　the　Rada’Han　is　to　control　the　headaches　and　open　your　mind　so　you　may　be　taught　to　use　the　gift。　You　have　refused　the　first　chance　to　be　helped。　I　bring　the　second　reason　and　offer。’
　
　She　watched　his　eyes　as　if　to　be　sure　she　had　his　full　attention。　The　second　reason　for　the　Rada’Han　is　so　that　we　can　control　you。’
　
　Richard　glared　at　her。　‘Control　me？　What　does　that　mean；　to　control　me？’
　
　‘It　means　what　it　says。’
　
　‘I’m　not　putting　a　collar　around　my　neck　so　you　can　‘control’　me。’　He　leaned　a　little　closer。　‘Or　for　any　other　reason。’
　
　Sister　Elizabeth　held　the　collar　up。　As　you　were　told　before；　it　is　more　difficult　for　you　to　accept　the　second　offer。　Please　believe　us；　you　are　in　great　danger。　Your　time　is　running　out。　Please　Richard；　accept　the　second　offer　now；　on　the　second　of　the　three　reason　and　offers。　It　will　only　be　much　more　difficult　to　accept　on　the　third　of　the　three　reasons。’
　
　There　was　something　in　his　eyes　Kahlan　had　seen　only　once　before　…　the　last　time　the　collar　was　held　out　to　him。　Something　alien；　something　frightening。　It　sent　a　chill　through　her。　Goose　bumps　rose　on　her　arms。　The　anger　left　his　voice。
　
　‘I　told　you　before；’　he　whispered。　‘I　will　not　wear　a　collar。　For　anyone。　For　any　reason。　If　you　want　to　teach　me　to　use　the　gift；　to　control　it；　we　can　talk　about　it。　There　are　things　going　on　you　know　nothing　about：　important　things；　dangerous　things。　I　have　responsibilities　as　the　Seeker。　I　am　not　a　child　like　you　are　used　to　dealing　with。　I　am　an　adult。　We　can　talk　about　it。’
　
　Sister　Elizabeth　stared　at　him　with　fierce　intensity。　Richard　retreated　a　half　step。　His　eyes　closed；　and　he　shook　slightly。　At　last；　he　straightened。　His　eyes　came　open　as　he　took　a　deep　breath。　He　returned　the　Sister’s　stare。　Something　had　happened；　and　Kahlan　had　no　idea　what　it　was。
　
　The　strength　in　Sister　Elizabeth’s　eyes　waned。　Her　hands　lowered　the　collar。　Her　voice　came　in　a　fearful　whisper。　‘Will　you　accept　the　offer　and　the　Rada’Han？’
　
　Richard　stood　staring　at　her。　The　power　was　back　in　his　voice。　‘I　refuse。’
　
　Sister　Elizabeth　went　pale　as　she　stared　back　for　a　moment　before　turning　to　the　woman　behind　her。　‘Forgive　me；　Sister；　I　have　failed。’　She　put　the　Rada’Han　in　Sister　Verna’s　outstretched　hand。　Her　voice　came　in　a　whisper。　‘It　is　upon　you　now。’
　
　Sister　Verna　kissed　her　on　each　cheek。　The　Light　forgives　you；　Sister。’
　
　Sister　Elizabeth　turned　back　to　Richard；　her　face　gone　slack。　‘May　the　Light　cradle　you　always　with　gentle　hands。　May　you　someday　find　the　way。’
　
　Richard　stood　with　his　fists　on　his　hips　as　he　watched　her　eyes。　She　lifted　her　chin。　As　Sister　Grace　had　done；　she　brought　her　arm　up　and　with　a　flick　of　her　wrist　brought　the　silver…handled　knife　to　her　hand。　Richard　continued　to　watch　her　as　she　flipped　it　around　toward　herself。　Kahlan　watched；　holding　her　breath；　spellbound；　as　the　woman　prepared　to　kill　herself。　The　silence　seemed　thick。　For　a　heartbeat；　everyone　was　stone　still。
　
　The　instant　the　knife　began　to　move；　Richard　did　too。　His　speed　was　shocking。　Before　Sister　Elizabeth　realized　what　had　happened；　Richard　had　her　by　her　wrist。　His　other　hand　came　up　and　began　prying　the　odd　knife　from　her　fingers　as　she　struggled　to　keep　ahold　of　it。　She　was　no　match　for　his　strength。
　
　‘I　told　you　my　rule。　You　are　not　allowed　to　kill　yourself　today。’
　
　Her　face　twisted　with　futile　effort。　‘Please！　Let　go　…’
　
　Her　body　flinched。　Her　head　jerked　back。　There　was　a　flash　of　light　that　seemed　to　e　from　within　her；　from　within　her　eyes。　Sister　Elizabeth　crumpled　forward　to　the　ground；　Sister　Verna　pulling　her　own　knife　from　the　woman’s　back　as　she　fell。
　
　Sister　Verna’s　gaze　rose　from　the　dead　woman　to　Richard。　‘You　must　bury　her　body　yourself。　If　you　let　another　do　it　for　you；　you　will　have　nightmares　for　the　rest　of　your　life；　nightmares　caused　by　magic。　There　is　no　cure　for　them。’
　
　‘You　killed　her！　You　murdered　her！　What’s　the　matter　with　you！　How　could　you　kill　her！’
　
　She　tucked　her　knife　up　her　sleeve　as　she　glared　at　him。　She　reached　out；　snatched　the　silver　knife　from　his　hand；　and　slipped　it　in　her　cloak。
　
　‘You　killed　her；’　Sister　Verna　whispered。
　
　‘Your　hands　have　the　blood　on　them！’
　
　‘So　does　the　executioner’s　axe；　but　it　doesn’t　wield　itself。’
　
　Richard　lunged　for　her　throat。　She　didn’t　move；　she　simply　continued　to　stare　at　him。　His　hands　stopped　before　reaching　her。　Richard　shook；　straining　against　an　invisible　barrier　as　she　watched　him。
　
　In　that　instant；　Kahlan　knew　what　the　Sisters　were。
　
　Richard　relaxed　the　pressure　of　pushing　against　the　barrier。　He　pulled　his　hands　back　a　little。　He　visibly　relaxed。
　
　Gently；　his　face　gone　calm；　he　reached　one　hand　toward　Sister　Verna。　His　fingers　clutched　around　her　throat。　Her　eyes　went　wide　with　shock。
　
　‘Richard；’　she　whispered　angrily；　‘take　your　hand　from　me。’
　
　‘As　you　have　said；　this　is　no　game。　Why　did　you　kill　h