tg.stone of tears-第43章

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had　to　pick　one　man　to　fight　beside　me；　as　much　as　he　hates　me；　it　would　be　him。　I　am　the　fool；　for　not　being　able　to　make　him　see　the　truth。’　He　turned　to　her。　‘I　have　to　go　north。　I　have　to　stop　them。’
　
　Kahlan　looked　around。　There　are　some　other　men　here。　We　will　gather　all　we　can　and　…’
　
　He　shook　his　head；　cutting　her　off。　‘No。　There　wouldn’t　be　enough。　Besides；　we　need　every　man　able　to　hold　a　bow　or　spear　here；　to　defend　the　village　if　I　fail。　The　elders　must　go　on　with　the　banquet。　We　must　have　the　gathering。　That　is　what’s　most　important。　I’ll　go　alone。　I’m　the　Seeker。　Maybe　I　can　stop　them。　Maybe　they　will　listen　to　one　man；　see　that　he　isn’t　so　much　of　a　threat。’
　
　‘All　right。　Wait　here。　I’ll　be　right　back。’
　
　‘Why？’
　
　‘I　have　to　put　on　my　Confessor’s　dress。’
　
　‘You’re　not　going！’
　
　‘I　have　to。　You　can’t　speak　their　language。’
　
　‘Kahlan；　I　don’t　want　。。。’
　
　‘Richard！’　She　snatched　a　fistful　of　his　shirt。　‘I’m　the　Mother　Confessor！　There　will　be　no　war　under　my　nose　while　I　have　a　say　in　it！　You　will　wait　here！’
　
　She　released　his　shirt　and　stormed　off。　The　Mother　Confessor　didn’t　wait　for　answers　to　her　instructions；　she　expected　them　to　be　carried　out。　She　suddenly　regretted　yelling　at　Richard；　but　she　was　furious　at　Chandalen　for　not　listening。
　
　She　was　furious；　too；　at　the　Bantak。　She　had　been　to　their　village　before　and　always　found　them　to　be　a　gentle　people。　Whatever　their　reasons；　as　long　as　she　was　around　there　was　going　to　be　no　war。　The　Mother　Confessor　was　supposed　to　stop　wars；　not　sit　by　and　watch　them　start。　This　was　her　responsibility；　her　job；　not　Richard’s。
　
　At　Savidlin　and　Weselan’s　home；　in　the　dark　with　all　the　noise　going　on　outside；　she　slipped　into　her　white　Confessor’s　dress。　All　Confessors　wore　dresses　cut　the　same；　square　at　the　neck；　long；　simple；　free　of　embellishment；　and　satiny　smooth；　but　of　black　fabric。
　
　Only　the　Mother　Confessor’s　was　white。　It　was　a　mantle　of　power。　In　the　dress；　she　was　not　Kahlan　Amnell；　she　was　the　Mother　Confessor；　a　symbol　of　the　power　of　truth。　With　all　the　other　Confessors　now　dead；　the　weight　of　defending　the　Midlands；　those　without　power；　was　upon　her　shoulders。
　
　It　made　her　feel　different　now　to　wear　the　dress。　Before；　it　had　seemed　the　normal　thing　to　do。　Now；　since　she　had　met　Richard；　it　seemed　a　heavier　responsibility。　Before；　she　had　always　felt　alone　in　her　job；　but　now；　with　him；　she　felt　more　of　a　connection　to　the　people　of　the　Midlands；　more　one　of　them；　more　responsible　to　them。　She　knew　now　what　it　was　to　love　someone；　and　to　fear　for　him。　She　was　not　going　to　allow　anyone　to　start　a　war；　not　as　long　as　she　was　the　Mother　Confessor。　She　grabbed　their　heavy　cloaks　and　went　back　through　the　passageways　to　the　festivities。
　
　The　elders　were　standing　in　front　of　their　platform；　where　she　had　left　them。　Richard　was　still　waiting。　She　tossed　his　cloak　to　him　and　addressed　the　elders。
　
　‘Tomorrow　night　is　the　gathering。　It　must　go　on。　We　will　be　back　well　before　then。’　She　turned　to　the　wives。　‘　Weselan；　we　wish　to　be　married　the　next　day。　I’m　sorry　there　isn’t　more　time　to　prepare；　but　we　must　leave　as　soon　as　it　is　done。　We　must　go　to　Aydindril。　We　must　stop　the　threat　to　the　Mud　People　and　everyone　else。’
　
　Weselan　smiled。　‘　Your　dress　will　be　ready。　I　wish　we　could　give　you　a　big　wedding　feast；　but　we　understand。’
　
　The　Bird　Man　put　a　hand　on　her　shoulder。　‘If　Chandalen　is　wrong　。。。　Be　careful。　The　Bantak　are　peaceful；　but　maybe　things　have　changed。　Tell　them　we　wish　their　people　no　harm。　We　do　not　want　war　with　them。’
　
　Kahlan　nodded　and　flung　her　cloak　around　her　shoulders　as　she　started　off。　‘Let’s　go。’
　
　
　CHAPTER　15
　
　Richard　fell　in　beside　her　without　objection。　Without　speaking；　they　left　the　village　and　went　north　out　onto　the　flat；　open　grasslands。　As　they　walked；　the　sounds　of　the　people　and　boldas　and　drums　faded　steadily　into　the　night。　The　moon　wasn’t　near　full；　but　it　gave　them　enough　light　to　see　by　as　they　walked　through　the　waist…high；　dry　grass。　She　hoped　that　it　was　dark　enough　to　make　them　poor　targets。
　
　Richard　finally　glanced　over。　‘Kahlan；　I’m　sorry。’
　
　‘For　what？’
　
　‘For　forgetting　who　you　are。　That　you　are　the　Mother　Confessor；　and　that　this　is　your　job。　I　was　just　worried　for　you。’
　
　She　was　surprised　by　his　apology。　‘I’m　sorry　I　yelled　at　you。　I　shouldn’t　have　done　that。　I　just　don’t　want　there　to　be　any　fighting。　I’m　supposed　to　keep　the　people　of　the　Midlands　from　fighting。　It　makes　me　angry　when　they　insist　on　killing　one　another。　Richard；　I’m　so　tired　of　seeing　people　killed。　I　thought　it　was　over。　I　can’t　bear　it　anymore。　I　swear　I　can’t。’
　
　He　put　an　arm　around　her。　‘I　know。　Me；　too。’　He　gave　her　shoulder　a　squeeze　as　they　walked。　‘The　Mother　Confessor　will　put　a　stop　to　it。’　He　looked　over。　She　thought　he　was　frowning；　but　it　was　too　dark　to　be　sure。　‘With　my　help。’
　
　She　grinned。　‘With　your　help。’　She　leaned　her　head　against　him　a　moment。　‘From　now　on；　always　with　your　help。’
　
　They　walked　a　long　way　from　the　village　without　seeing　anything　but　the　black　ground　and　starlit　sky。　Richard　would　stop　once　in　a　while　to　watch　the　surrounding　grassland　and　take　out　a　few　of　Nissel’s　leaves　to　chew。　Sometime　past　the　middle　of　the　night　they　came　to　a　slight　depression　in　the　landscape。　He　looked　around　again　and　then　decided　they　should　wait　where　they　were。　It　would　be　better　for　the　Bantak　to　e　upon　them；　he　said；　than　for　the　two　of　them　to　walk　into　a　surprise。
　
　Richard　flattened　out　a　small　patch　of　grass　and　they　sat　down　to　wait。　They　each　took　turns　taking　little　naps　while　the　other　watched　to　the　north。　With　her　hand　over　his；　she　watched　him　sleep　and　scanned　the　horizon；　and　thought　about　all　the　times　they　had　done　this　before；　one　standing　watch；　the　other　sleeping。　She　longed　for　the　day　they　could　just　sleep；　and　not　have　to　watch。　Sleep　together。　It　would　happen；　she　decided；　soon　enough。　Richard　would　figure　out　how　to　close　the　veil；　and　then　it　would　be　over。　They　could　be　at　peace。
　
　Kahlan　slept　nuzzled　against　him　with　her　cloak　wrapped　tight　against　the　cold。　His　warmth　made　her　all　the　more　sleepy。　She　began　to　wonder　if　he　was　right；　if　the　Bantak　would　e　from　the　north。　If　they　came　from　the　east；　there　would　be　a　lot　of　killing。　Chandalen　would　show　no　mercy。　She　didn’t　want　the　Mud　People　to　be　hurt；　but　she　didn’t　want　the　Bantak　hurt　either。　They；　too；　were　her　people。　She　drifted　into　worried　sleep；　her　last　thoughts　of　Richard。
　
　He　brought　her　awake；　pressing　his　arm　around　her　and　his　hand　over　her　mouth。　The　sky　was　just　beginning　to　lighten　to　their　right；　to　the　east。　Thin　wisps　of　dark　purple　clouds　bunched　near　the　horizon；　as　if　trying　to　mask　the　sunrise　with　their　dark　hue。　Richard　was　watching　to　the　north。　She　was　lower　than　he；　and　couldn’t　see　anything；　but　she　knew　by　the　tenseness　of　his　muscles　that　someone　was　ing。
　
　They　lay　still；　close　to　the　ground；　waiting。　Gentle　breezes　rustled　the　dry　grass　around　them。　Kahlan　quietly；　slowly；　slid　the　cloak　from　her　shoulders。　She　didn’t　want　there　to　be　any　mistake　about　who　she　was。　The　Bantak　would　recognize　her　long　hair；　but　she　wanted　them　to　see　her　Confessor’s　dress；　too。　She　didn’t　want　there　to　be　any　doubt　who　she　was　and　that　she　was　here　as　the　Mother　Confessor。　Richard　shrugged　his　cloak　off　his　shoulders。　Shadows　slid　through　the　grass　around　them。
　
　When　there　seemed　to　be　men　all　around；　the　two　of　them　stood　up。　Men　with　spears　and　bows　closest　leapt　back　and　screamed　yells　of　surprise。　The　Bantak　were　spread　out　in　a　long；　thin　line；　advancing　toward　the　Mud　People’s　village。
　
　There　were　excited　shouts。　Men　swept　in　from　the　line；　a　few　surrounding　them；　most　bunched　in　front。　Kahlan　stood　tall；　her　hands　at　her　sides。　She　wore　her　Confessor’s　face；　a　calm　that　showed　nothing；　as　her　mother　had　taught　her。　Richard　was　tight　at　her　side；　his　hand　on　the　hilt　of　his　sword。　Most　of　the　men；　in　simple　hide　clothes　trimmed　with　grass；　leveled　weapons　at　the　two　of　them。　They　were　clearly　nervous　about　doing　so。
　
　‘You　would　dare　to　threaten　the　Mother　Confessor？’　she　called　out。　‘Lower　your　weapons。　Now。’
　
　Eyes　flicked　around；　looking　to　see　if　the　two　of　them　were　alone。　The　men　seemed　to　bee　less　sure　about　pointing　spears　and　arrows　at　the　Mother　Confessor；　they　were　doing　something　unheard　of；　and　they　knew　it。　They　looked　as　if　they　couldn’t　decide　to　keep　doing　what　they　were　doing；　or　drop　their　weapons　and　fall　to　their　knees。　A　few　of　them　crouched　lower；　in　half　bows。
　
　Kahlan　took　an　aggressive　stride　toward　them。　‘Now！’
　
　The　men　flinched；　cowering　back　a　little。　The　points　of　all　the　weapons　moved　from　her　…　to　Richard。　They　appeared　to　hope　this　would　be　an　acceptable　promise。　It　was　not　what　she　had　expected。
　
　She　stepped　in　front　of　Richard。　All　the　weapons　were　once　again　pointing　at　her。
　
　‘What　do　you　think　you　are　doing；’　he　whispered　to　the　back　of　her　head。
　
　‘Just　stay　quiet。　Let　me　try　to　do　this。　We　don’t　have　a　chance　if　we　can’t　get　them　to　lower　their　weapons　and　talk。’
　
　‘Why　are　they　doing　this？　I　thought　everyone　was　afraid　of　the　Mother　Confessor。’
　
　They　are　afraid；　but　they　are　used　to　seeing　a　wizard　with　me。　They　may　be　more　bold　because　they　don’t　see　one　now。　Even　so；　they　shouldn’t　be　doing　this。’　She　took　another　step　forward。　‘Who　speaks　for　the　Bantak？　Who　among　you　takes　responsibility　for　allowing　the　Bantak　to　threaten　the　Mother　Confessor？’
　
　Not　being　able　to　point　their　weapons　at　Richard　with　her　in　the　way；　the　Bantak　lost　a　bit　of　their　confidence　and　lowered　the　points　a　little。　Not　all　the　way；　but　a　little。
　
　At　last；　an　old　man　approached；　pushing　through；　stopping　in　front　of　her。　He　wore　simple　hide　clothes　like　the　other　men；　but　around　his　neck　hung　a　gold　medallion　worked　with　Bantak　symbols。　She　knew　him。　He　was　Ma　Ban　Grid；　the　Bantak’s　spirit　guide。　His　scowl　made　his　heavily　wrinkled　loose　skin　seem　even　more　deeply　creased　than　she　remembered。　She　also　didn’t　remember　him　scowling　like　this；　she　remembered　only　his　easy　smile。
　
　‘I　speak　for　the　Bantak；’　Ma　Ban　Grid　said。　He　had　only　two　bottom　teeth　in　front。　His　jaw　wobbled　easily　with　the　difficult…to…pronounce　Bantak　words。　He　glanced　at　Richard。　‘Who　is　this　one？’
　
　Kahlan　returned　Ma　Ban　Grid’s　scowl。　‘Now　Ma　Ban　Grid　would　question　the　Mother　Confessor　before　she　is　weled　before　his　eyes？’
　
　The　Bantak　men　shuffled　their　feet　uneasily。　Ma　Ban　Grid　did　not。　His　gaze　was　solid　and　unwavering。　‘These　are　not　right　times。　These　are　not　our　lands。　We　are　not　here　to　wele　visitors　before　the　eyes　of　the　Bantak。　We　have　e　to　kill　the　Mud　People。’
　
　‘Why？’
　
　Ma　Ban　Grid　peered　down　his　nose　at　her。　‘They　have　invited　war；　as　our　spirit　brethren　have　warned　us　they　would。　They　have　proven　it　by　killing　one　of　mine。　We　must　kill　them　before　they　can　kill　us　all。’
　
　‘There　will　be　no　war！　There　will　be　no　killing！　I　am　the　Mother　Confessor