tg.stone of tears-第15章

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　‘This　is　a　matter　between　us　I　will　not　speak　to　the　Bird　Man　of　it。’　She　took　her　hand　from　his　arm。　In　the　distance；　the　dragon　roared　its　return。　‘　We　are　on　the　same　side；　Chandalen。　We　both　fight　for　the　Mud　People　to　live。　That　part　of　you；　I　respect。’
　
　She　gave　him　a　very　small　slap。　She　offered　him　no　opportunity　to　return　it；　or　to　fail　to；　and　instead　turned　her　back　to　him。　The　slap　had　given　him　back　a　small　amount　of　his　respect　in　the　eyes　of　his　men；　and　would　make　him　look　foolish　and　weak　if　he　chose　to　press　an　attack　now。　It　was　a　small　offering；　but　it　had　shown　she　acted　honorably。　She　would　leave　it　up　to　his　men　to　decide　if　he　had。　Bullying　a　woman　brought　no　honor。
　
　But　then；　she　was　no　mere　woman；　she　was　a　Confessor。　Kahlan　let　out　a　deep　breath　as　she　returned　to　Savidlin　and　turned　to　watch　the　dragon　land。　Weselan　stood　next　to　him；　still　hugging　Siddin　tightly。　For　his　part；　Siddin　didn’t　look　to　want　anything　else　in　the　world　but　to　be　rocked　in　his　mother’s　arms。　Kahlan　gave　a　mental　shudder　at　the　thought　of　what　might　have　happened　to　him。
　
　Savidlin　turned　to　her　and　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘You　would　make　a　good　elder；　Mother　Confessor。　You　could　give　lessons　in　honor；　and　leadership。’
　
　‘I　would　prefer　the　lessons　weren’t　necessary。’　Savidlin　grunted　his　agreement。　Dust　and　wind　kicked　up　by　the　dragon’s　wings　fluttered　past　in　fits　that　billowed　her　cloak。　Kahlan　was　buttoning　her　cuff　when　the　two　men　slid　off　Scarlet。
　
　The　Bird　Man　looked　a　little　green；　but　he　was　grinning　from　ear　to　ear。　He　stroked　a　red　scale　respectfully　and　beamed　at　the　yellow　eye　that　watched　him。　Kahlan　approached；　and　the　Bird　Man　asked　her　to　translate　a　message　to　Scarlet。
　
　She　smiled　and　looked　up　at　the　dragon’s　huge　head；　at　its　ears；　which　were　now　turning　toward　her。　The　Bird　Man　would　like　you　to　know　that　this　has　been　one　of　the　greatest　honors　of　his　life。　He　says　you　have　given　him　the　gift　of　a　new　vision。　He　says　that　from　this　day　forward；　if　you　or　your　young　one　ever　need　refuge；　you　will　always　be　wele　and　safe　in　this　land。’
　
　Scarlet’s　snout　twisted　into　a　sort　of　dragon　grin。　Thank　you；　Bird　Man。　I　am　pleased。’　She　lowered　her　head　to　speak　to　Richard。　‘I　must　leave　now。　My　young　one　has　been　alone　long　enough；　and　will　be　hungry。’
　
　Richard　smiled　as　he　stroked　a　red　scale。　‘Thank　you；　Scarlet。　For　everything。　Thank　you　for　showing　us　your　little　one。　It　is　even　more　beautiful　than　you。　Take　care　of　the　both　of　you。　Live　free。’
　
　Scarlet　spread　her　jaws　wide　and　reached　into　the　back　of　her　mouth。　There　was　a　snap；　and　she　brought　a　tooth　point　out；　held　in　her　black…tipped　talons。　It　was　only　a　point；　but　a　good　six　inches　long。
　
　‘Dragons　have　magic；’　she　told　him。　‘Hold　out　your　hand。’　She　dropped　the　tooth　point　in　Richard’s　palm。　‘You　seem　to　have　a　knack　for　getting　yourself　in　trouble。　Keep　this　safe。　If　you　ever　have　great　need；　call　me　with　it；　and　I　will　e。　Be　certain；　as　it　will　only　work　once。’
　
　‘But　how　can　I　call　you　with　it？’
　
　Her　head　floated　closer　to　him。　‘You　have　the　gift；　Richard　Cypher。　Just　hold　it　in　your　hand　and　call　to　me。　I　will　hear。　Remember；　great　need。’
　
　‘Thank　you　Scarlet；　but　I　don’t　have　the　gift。’
　
　Scarlet　threw　her　head　back　and　rumbled　in　laughter。　The　ground　shook。　The　scales　on　her　throat　vibrated。　When　her　fit　of　laughter　died　out　in　spurts；　she　tilted　her　head　to　look　at　him　with　one　yellow　eye。　‘If　you　don’t　have　the　gift；　then　no　one　does。　Live　free；　Richard　Cypher。’
　
　Everyone　in　the　village　watched　in　silence　as　the　red　dragon　grew　smaller　in　the　golden　sky。　Richard　put　his　arm　around　Kahlan’s　waist；　pulling　her　close　against　him。
　
　‘I　hope　that　I’ve　finally　heard　the　last　of　this　nonsense　about　me　having　the　gift；’　he　muttered　half　to　himself。　‘I　saw　you　from　up　in　the　air。’　He　pointed　with　his　chin　across　the　clearing。　‘You　want　to　tell　me　what　that　was　all　about　with　our　friend　over　there？’
　
　Chandalen　was　making　a　point　of　not　looking　at　her。　‘No　It’s　not　important。’
　
　
　‘Are　we　ever　going　to　get　to　be　alone？’　Kahlan　asked　with　a　coy　smile。　‘Pretty　soon　I’m　going　to　have　to　start　kissing　you　in　front　of　all　of　these　people。’
　
　Dusk　was　bringing　a　cozy；　fading　light　to　the　impromptu　feast。　Richard　glanced　around　the　grass…roofed　shelter　at　the　elders　in　their　coyote　hides。　They　were　all　smiles　and　chatter。　Their　wives　and　a　few　children　had　joined　the　group。　People　were　stopping　by　the　shelter　to　wele　the　two　of　them　back；　smiling　and　exchanging　gentle　slaps。
　
　Little　children　across　the　way　were　chasing　brown　chickens　that　wanted　nothing　more　than　to　find　a　place　to　roost　for　the　night。　The　chickens　squawked　as　they　made　flapping　escapes。　She　couldn’t　understand　how　the　children　could　stand　to　be　naked；　as　cold　as　it　was。　Women　in　bright　dresses　were　bringing　woven　trays　of　tava　bread　and　glazed　pottery　bowls　of　roasted　peppers；　rice　cakes；　long　boiled　beans；　cheese；　and　roasted　meats。
　
　‘You　really　think　they’re　going　to　let　us　get　away　before　we　tell　them　the　whole　story　of　our　great　adventure？’
　
　‘What　great　adventure？　All　I　remember　is　being　scared　to　death　all　the　time　and　being　in　more　trouble　than　I　knew　how　to　get　out　of　Her　insides　twisted　in　pain　at　the　memory　of　learning　he　had　been　captured　by　a　Mord…Sith。　And　thinking　you　were　dead。’
　
　He　smiled。　‘Didn’t　you　know？　That’s　what　an　adventure　is：　being　in　trouble。’
　
　‘I’ve　had　enough　of　adventure　to　last　me　the　rest　of　my　life。’
　
　Richard’s　gray　eyes　looked　distant。　‘Me；　too。’　Her　gaze　went　to　the　red　leather　rod；　the　Agiel；　which　hung　on　a　gold　chain　around　his　neck。　She　reached　back　and　took　a　piece　of　cheese　from　a　platter。　Her　face　brightened。　She　put　the　cheese　to　his　mouth。　‘Maybe　we　can　just　make　up　a　story　that　sounds　like　a　proper　adventure。　A　short　adventure。’
　
　‘Suits　me；’　he　said；　and　then　bit　off　a　chunk　of　the　cheese　as　she　held　it　to　his　mouth。
　
　Immediately；　he　spit　the　cheese　into　his　hand　and　made　a　sour　face。　This　is　awful！’　he　whispered。
　
　‘Really？’　She　sniffed　the　piece　she　still　held。　She　took　a　tiny　bite。　‘Well；　I　don’t　like　cheese；　but　it　doesn’t　taste　any　worse　than　usual　to　me。　I　don’t　think　it　has　gone　bad。’　He　was　still　making　the　face。　Tastes　like　it　has　to　me。’　Kahlan　thought　a　minute；　and　then　frowned。　‘Yesterday　at　the　People’s　Palace；　you　didn’t　like　the　cheese　there　either。　And　Zedd　said　there　was　nothing　wrong　with　it。’
　
　‘Nothing　wrong　with　it！　It　tasted　rotten！　I　ought　to　know；　I　love　cheese。　I　eat　it　all　the　time。　I　know　bad　cheese　when　I　eat　it。’
　
　‘Well；　I　hate　cheese。　Maybe　you’re　just　picking　up　my　habits。’
　
　He　rolled　a　roasted　pepper　in　a　piece　of　tava　bread　and　grinned。　‘I　could　think　of　a　worse　fate。’
　
　As　she　returned　the　smile；　she　saw　two　hunters　approaching。　Her　back　stiffened。　Richard　noticed　her　reaction　and　sat　up　straighter。　These　are　two　of　Chandalen’s　men。　I　don’t　know　what　they　want。’　She　gave　him　a　wink。　‘Be　a　good　boy？　Let’s　not　have　an　adventure。’
　
　Without　smiling　or　answering；　he　turned　and　watched　the　two　e。　The　hunters　stopped　in　front　of　her　at　the　edge　of　the　platform。　They　planted　the　butts　of　their　spears　firmly　in　the　ground；　leaning　on　them　with　both　hands。　They　both　assessed　her　with　slightly　narrowed　eyes　and　small；　tight　smiles　that　weren’t　entirely　unfriendly。　The　one　closest　pushed　his　bow　a　little　farther　up　on　his　shoulder　and　then　extended　an　open　hand　to　her；　palm　up。
　
　She　looked　down　at　the　hand。　She　knew　what　it　meant　…an　open　hand　offered　without　a　weapon　in　it。　She　glanced　up　at　him　in　confusion。　‘Does　Chandalen　approve　of　this？’
　
　‘We　are　Chandalen’s　men。　Not　his　children。’　He　kept　the　hand　out。
　
　Kahlan　looked　at　it　a　moment　and　then　stroked　her　palm　over　his。　His　smile　widened　a　little　and　he　gave　her　a　gentle　slap。
　
　‘Strength　to　Confessor　Kahlan。　I　am　Prindin。　This　is　my　brother；　Tossidin。’
　
　She　gave　Prindin　a　slap　and　wished　him　strength。　Tossidin　held　his　palm　open　to　her。　She　stroked　it　with　hers。　He　gave　her　a　slap　and　added　his　wish　of　strength。　He　had　a　handsome　smile　that　matched　his　brother’s。　Surprised　by　his　friendliness；　she　returned　his　slap　and　greeting。　Kahlan　glanced　to　Richard。　The　brothers　noticed　the　look；　and　in　response　both　gave　Richard　a　slap　and　greeting。
　
　‘We　wanted　to　tell　you　that　you　spoke　with　strength　and　honor　today；’　Prindin　said。　‘Chandalen　is　a　hard　man；　and　a　hard　man　to　get　to　know；　but　he　is　not　a　bad　man。　He　cares　deeply　for　our　people　and　wants　only　to　protect　them　from　harm。　That　is　what　we　do　…protect　our　people。’
　
　Kahlan　nodded。　‘　Richard　and　I　are　Mud　People；　too。’　The　brothers　smiled。　‘The　elders　have　proclaimed　it　for　all　to　know。　We　will　protect　you　both；　the　same　as　any　other　of　our　people。’
　
　‘Will　Chandalen？’
　
　Both　grinned；　but　neither　answered。　They　pulled　their　spears　up；　readying　to　leave。
　
　‘Tell　them　I　said　they　have　fine　bows；’　Richard　said。　She　glanced　sideways　to　see　him　watching　the　two。　She　told　his　words　to　Prindin。
　
　They　smiled　as　they　nodded。　‘We　are　very　good　with　them。’
　
　Richard’s　expressionless　gaze　stayed　on　the　two　brothers。　‘Tell　them　I　think　their　arrows　look　to　be　well　made。　Ask　if　I　may　see　one。’
　
　Kahlan　frowned　at　him　before　translating　for　the　hunters。　The　brothers　beamed　with　pride。　Prindin　pulled　an　arrow　from　his　quiver　and　handed　it　to　Richard。　Kahlan　noticed　that　the　elders　were　all　quiet。　Richard　rolled　the　arrow　in　his　fingers。　Betraying　no　emotion；　he　looked　at　the　nock　and　then　turned　it　around　and　looked　at　the　flat；　metal　point。　He　handed　the　arrow　back。　‘Very　fine　work。’　As　Prindin　replaced　the　arrow　in　his　quiver；　Kahlan　told　him　what　Richard　had　said。　He　slid　a　hand　partway　up　his　spear　and　leaned　a　little　of　his　weight　on　it。　‘If　you　know　how　to　shoot　a　bow；　we　would　invite　you　to　e　with　us　tomorrow。’　Before　she　could　translate；　Savidlin　spoke　to　her。　‘Richard　told　me　before；　when　you　were　here　last；　that　he　had　to　leave　his　bow　behind　in　Westland；　and　that　he　missed　it　As　a　surprise；　I　made　him　one；　for　when　you　both　came　back。　It　is　a　gift　to　him　for　teaching　me　how　to　make　roofs　that　do　not　leak。　It　is　at　my　home。　I　was　going　to　give　it　to　him　tomorrow。　Tell　him；　and　tell　him　that　if　he　agrees；　I　would　like　to　take　some　of　my　hunters　and　go　with　him　tomorrow’　He　smiled。　‘We　will　see　if　he　is　as　good　a　shot　as　our　hunters。’
　
　The　brothers　grinned　and　nodded　their　enthusiasm。　They　looked　to　be　confident　of　the　results　of　the　contest。　Kahlan　told　Richard　what　Savidlin　had　said。
　
　Richard　was　surprised；　and　seemed　to　be　moved　by　what　Savidlin　had　done。　‘The　Mud　People　make　some　of　the　finest　fbows　I　have　ever　seen。　I　am　honored；　Savidlin。　That　is　was　poison；　the　result　of　an　evil　magic。　They　didn’t　know　that　in　Westland；　where　Richard　was　from；　you　could　eat　red　things　like　apples。　They　had　seen　him　eat　an　apple　once　before；　when　he　had　tricked　them　into　not　making　him　take　a　wife　from　their　village　by　convincing　them　that　his　eating　it　might