tg.stone of tears- 第206部分

　
　‘I　will　do　my　best　。。。　Kahlan。　All　I　know　is　that　we　must　wait　until　Zedd　returns　to　Aydindril。’　She　tugged　insistently　on　Kahlan’s　sleeve。　‘Mother　Confessor；　where　is　Richard！　It　is　vital！’　Her　voice　lowered　with　unease。　‘No　slight　intended；　and　I　pray　none　is　taken；　but　it　is　Richard　that　is　important。　Zedd　needs　Richard。’
　
　‘That　is　why　I　need　Zedd；’　Kahlan　said。
　
　
　CHAPTER　61
　
　Richard　grabbed　an　arm　of　each　boy。　‘Slow　down；’　he　said　in　a　low　voice。　‘I　told　you；　I　have　to　go　first。’
　
　Kipp　and　Hersh　sighed　impatiently。　Richard　checked　around　the　corner；　peeking　down　the　hall；　and　then　pushed　the　two　boys　up　against　the　wall。　Frogs　kicked　in　their　pockets。
　
　This　is　serious。　I　picked　you　two　because　I　know　you’re　the　best。　Now；　you　do　as　I　told　you；　the　way　we　planned　it。　Stay　here；　with　your　backs　to　this　wall；　and　count　to　fifty。　You　don’t　so　much　as　peep　around　the　corner　until　you　get　to　fifty。　I’m　depending　on　you　to　do　it　right。’
　
　They　grinned。　‘We’re　your　men；’　Kipp　said。　‘We’ll　get　them　out　of　there。’
　
　Richard　squatted　and　put　a　finger　close　to　each　face　in　turn。　This　is　serious　business。　This　isn’t　just　some　game。　This　time　you　could　get　in　real　trouble。　Are　you　sure　you　want　to　do　this？’
　
　Kipp　put　his　hands　in　his　pockets；　feeling　the　frogs。　‘You　came　to　the　right　men。　We　can　do　it。　We　want　to　do　it；　Richard。’
　
　They　were　excited　because　they　had　never　made　it　past　the　guards　before。　This　was　uncharted　territory　for　their　specialty。　Richard　knew　they　didn’t　appreciate　the　danger　involved；　and　he　hated　to　have　to　use　them　in　this　manner；　but　it　was　the　only　thing　he　could　think　of。
　
　‘All　right　then；　start　counting。’
　
　Richard　rounded　the　corner　and　swept　down　the　hall；　his　mriswith　cape　billowing　open。　When　he　reached　the　proper　door；　he　stood　against　the　white　marble　wall　opposite　the　double　doors　and　drew　the　hood　up。　He　pulled　the　cape　closed　and　concentrated　on　the　marble　behind　him。
　
　He　stood　motionless。　The　boys　burst　around　the　corner；　yelling　and　screaming　at　the　top　of　their　lungs　as　they　ran　down　the　hall。　They　stopped　in　front　of　the　double　doors；　looking　both　ways。　They　didn’t　see　him　standing　behind　them；　and　he　knew　they　were　wondering　where　he　was　hiding。
　
　As　they　had　been　instructed；　they　threw　the　doors　open　and；　giggling　with　excitement；　began　pulling　frogs　from　their　pockets　and　pitching　them　into　the　room。　The　two　Sisters　were　frozen　in　surprise　for　only　an　instant。　Richard　watched　as　both　came　flying　around　their　desks；　one　snatching　up　a　rod。　The　boys　heaved　their　last　frogs　with　a　squeal　and　raced　away　in　opposite　directions；　shouting　taunts　of　‘Can’t　catch　us！　Can’t　catch　us！’
　
　Sisters　Ulicia　and　Finella　slid　to　a　stop　on　the　polished　marble　floor　outside　the　doors。　They　almost　slid　right　into　him；　and　were　only　inches　away。　Richard　held　his　breath。
　
　The　Sisters　saw　the　boys　make　the　turns　at　opposite　ends　of　the　hall。　They　threw　their　hands　out。　Pictures　crashed　to　the　floor　as　flashes　of　shimmering　light　knocked　them　from　the　walls　at　the　end；　but　they　missed　the　boys。　Growling　in　anger；　the　Sisters　parted；　one　dashing　after　each　boy。
　
　Richard　waited　until　they　had　turned　the　corner；　and　then　he　stepped　away　from　the　wall；　letting　his　concentration　relax；　letting　the　cape　return　to　black。　He　wondered　what　it　would　look　like　if　someone　were　to　see　it　happen；　to　see　a　person　seem　to　materialize　out　of　the　air。
　
　The　outer　room　was　empty。　Before　the　door　between　the　desks；　the　air　seemed　to　sparkle　and　hum。　Experimentally；　Richard　put　his　hand　into　it。　The　air　felt　thick；　but　it　seemed　to　have　no　harmful　effect。　He　pressed　himself　through　the　sparkles　and　went　through　the　door　beyond。
　
　The　room　inside；　not　quite　as　large　as　his　own　outer　room；　was　dimly　lit；　and　paneled　in　rich；　dark　wood。　In　the　center　sat　a　heavy　walnut　table　piled　with　papers　and　books；　and　three　candles。　Down　the　length　to　each　side　were　floor…to…ceiling　bookshelves　crammed　full　of　disheveled　books；　and　a　few　other　odd　objects。
　
　An　old　woman；　one　of　the　cleaning　staff；　in　a　heavy；　dark　gray　work　dress；　was　standing　on　a　stool；　dusting　a　top　bookshelf。　She　turned　with　surprise　as　he　came　to　a　halt。　She　glanced　to　the　door；　and　then　back　to　him。
　
　‘How　did　you　。。。’
　
　‘I’m　sorry；　ma’am。　I　didn’t　mean　to　startle　you。　I　just　came　to　see　the　Prelate。　Is　she　about？’
　
　The　woman　squatted；　her　foot　searching　for　the　floor。　Richard　gave　her　his　hand。　She　smiled　her　appreciation　as　she　brushed　a　wisp　of　graying　hair　back　from　her　face。　Most　of　it　was　drawn　into　a　loose　knot　at　the　back　of　her　head。　Once　she　was　standing　on　the　floor；　the　top　of　her　head　only　came　up　to　the　lower　tip　of　his　breastbone。　Her　body　was　on　the　wide　side；　as　if　she　had　once　been　taller；　and　a　giant　had　put　his　hand　on　the　top　of　her　head　and　squashed　her　down　a　good　foot。
　
　She　looked　up；　giving　him　a　curious　frown。　‘Did　Sisters　Ulicia　and　Finella　let　you　e　in？’
　
　‘No；’　Richard　said　as　he　looked　about　the　fortably　cluttered　room。　‘They　stepped　out。’
　
　‘But　they　would　have　left　a　shield。　。。。’
　
　‘Ma’am；　I　must　speak　to　the　Prelate。’　Across　the　room；　Richard　saw　doors　to　a　courtyard　standing　open。　‘Is　she　about？’
　
　‘Do　you　have　an　appointment？’　she　asked　in　a　quiet；　gentle　voice。
　
　‘No；’　he　admitted。　‘I’ve　been　trying　to　get　one　for　days。　Those　two　wouldn’t　cooperate；　so　I　made　my　own　appointment。’
　
　She　put　a　finger　to　her　lower　lip。　‘I　see。　But　you　must　have　an　appointment。　Those　are　the　rules。　I’m　sorry。’
　
　Richard　started　for　the　open　doors。　He　was　getting　impatient；　but　kept　his　voice　calm；　as　he　didn’t　want　to　frighten　the　old　maidservant。　‘Look；　ma’am；　I　must　see　the　Prelate；　or　we　are　all　going　to　have　an　appointment　with　the　Keeper　himself。’
　
　Her　eyebrows　lifted　in　wonder。　‘Reeeeally。’　She　clicked　her　tongue。　‘The　Keeper；　is　it。　My；　my；　my。’
　
　Richard　stopped　suddenly。　He　winced　and　let　out　a　groan。　He　turned　on　his　heel。
　
　‘You’re　the　Prelate；　aren’t　you？’
　
　An　impish　grin　came　to　her　face；　her　eyes　twinkling　with　it。　‘Yes；　Richard；　I　guess　I　am。’
　
　‘You　know　who　I　am？’
　
　She　chuckled。　‘Oh；　yes；　I　know。’
　
　Richard　sighed。　‘So　you’re　the　one　who　runs　this　place？’
　
　She　laughed　louder。　As　I　hear　it　told；　you　seem　to　be　running　it　now。　Been　here　hardly　a　month；　and　you　have　half　the　palace　wound　around　your　will。　I’ve　been　thinking　about　asking　for　an　appointment　to　see　you。’
　
　Richard　gave　her　a　friendly　scowl。　‘I　would　have　granted　it。’
　
　‘I’ve　been　looking　forward　to　meeting　you。’　She　patted　his　arm。　‘From　now　on；　you　may　e　to　see　me　whenever　you　wish。’
　
　‘Then　why　wouldn’t　you　let　me　in　before？’
　
　She　folded　her　hands　together　beneath　her　ample；　rounded　breasts。　‘A　test；　my　boy。　A　test。’　She　smiled　up　at　him。　‘I　am　impressed。　I　expected　it　to　take　you　another　six　or　eight　months　yet。’
　
　The　door　burst　open。　Richard　was　jerked　from　his　feet；　yanked　back　by　his　collar；　and　smacked　up　against　the　wall。　He　was　stuck　tight；　the　wind　knocked　from　his　lungs。　Two　irate　Sisters　stood　just　inside　the　doorway　with　their　fists　on　their　hips。
　
　‘Now；　now；’　the　Prelate　said；　‘stop　that；　you　two。　Let　the　boy　down。’
　
　Richard　thumped　to　the　ground；　glaring　at　the　two　Sisters。　‘I　am　the　one　who　talked　those　two　boys　into　doing　as　they　did。　What　they　did　is　my　fault。　If　there　is　any　revenge；　it　had　better　be　against　me；　and　not　them。　If　you　harm　them；　you　will　answer　to　me。’
　
　One　of　the　Sisters　took　a　step　toward　him。　Their　punishment　has　already　been　ordered。　This　time；　for　once；　they　will　learn　a　lesson。’　She　angrily　pointed　a　stout　rod　at　him。　‘You　are　going　to　have　your　own　punishment　to　worry　about。’
　
　‘Yes；　Sister　Ulicia；’　the　Prelate　said；　‘I　think　punishment　is　in　order。’　The　Sister　gave　Richard　a　self…satisfied　smile。　‘Yours；’　the　Prelate　said。
　
　Sister　Ulicia　gaped。　‘Prelate　Annalina？’
　
　‘Did　I　not　give　you　specific　instructions　that　Richard　was　not　to　be　allowed　in　here？’
　
　The　two　Sisters　straightened。　‘Yes；　Prelate　Annalina。’
　
　And　here　he　is。　Standing　in　my　office。’
　
　Sister　Ulicia　pointed　at　the　door。　‘But。。。　we　left　a　shield！　He　could　not　。。。’
　
　‘Oh？　Could　not？’　The　Sister’s　hand　dropped　at　seeing　the　Prelate’s　wrinkled　brow。　‘Seems　I　see　him　standing　here。　Do　I　not；　Sisters？’
　
　‘Yes；　Prelate　Annalina；’　the　two　said　as　one。
　
　‘And　so　now　your　idea　is　to　reward　your　own　failure　by　going　back　to　your　posts；　as　if　nothing　had　happened；　and　punish　their　success？’　The　Prelate　clicked　her　tongue。　‘You　two　will　take　the　punishment　you　have　ordered　for　the　two　boys。’
　
　The　Sisters　blanched。　‘But　Prelate　。。。’　the　second　whispered。　‘You　can’t　have　that　done　to　a　Sister。’
　
　‘Really；　Sister　Finella？　What　did　you　order　for　the　boys？’
　
　To　have　their　bottoms　strapped　。。。　publicly　。。。　tomorrow　morning；　after　breakfast。’
　
　‘That　sounds　fair。　You　two　will　take　their　place。’
　
　‘But　Prelate；’　Sister　Ulicia　whispered