tg.stone of tears- 第103部分

　
　He　gave　her　a　grim　look。　‘Adie；　until　we　get　to　Nicobarese　and　can　rid　ourselves　of　this　taint；　I　think　we　had　better　consider　the　consequences　very　carefully　before　using　magic。’
　
　
　‘Are　we　safe　here？’
　
　A　soft　hand　extended　from　the　fog　of　dim　light；　brushing　her　cheek；　forting　her。
　
　You　are　safe　here；　Rachel。　Both　of　you　are　safe。　Now；　and　always。　You　are　safe。
　
　Rachel　smiled。　She　did　feel　safe。　Safer　than　she　ever　felt　before。　Not　just　safe　like　she　felt　when　she　was　with　Chase；　but　safe　like　she　had　felt　in　her　mother’s　arms。　She　hadn’t　been　able　to　remember　her　mother　before；　but　she　remembered　now；　remembered　the　encircling　arms　holding　her　to　a　breast。
　
　The　terrible　fright　she　had　shared　with　Chase　while　。they　raced　to　catch　Richard　was　melting　away。　The　bone…tired　worry　of　whether　or　not　they　would　catch　him　in　time　was　melting　away。　The　terror　of　the　people　who　had　tried　to　stop　them；　the　fights　Chase　had　had；　the　horror　of　the　blood　she　had　seen；　all　the　blood　she　had　seen　。。。　it　was　all　melting　away。
　
　As　she　stood　before　the　sparkling　pool；　the　hands　reached　to　her　again。　Reached　to　her　from　the　gentle　smiles　of　reassurance。　The　hands　helped　her　undo　the　buttons　of　her　dirty；　sweaty　dress；　and　pull　it　off。　She　flinched　when　her　dress　pulled　against　the　bruise　on　her　shoulder；　the　bruise　she　got　when　a　man　chasing　them　had　knocked　her　down。
　
　The　smiles　turned　to　sad　looks　of　concern　for　her　pain。　The　soft；　gentle　voices　cooed　fort　to　her。　The　glowing　hands　caressed　the　shoulder；　and　when　they　lifted；　the　bruise　was　gone。　The　hurt　was　gone。
　
　All　better？
　
　Rachel　nodded。　‘Yes！　It’s　all　better。　Thank　you。’
　
　The　hands　pulled　off　her　shoes　and　stockings。　She　sat　on　a　warm　rock　and　dangled　her　bare　feet　in　the　soothing　water。　It　would　be　so　wonderful　to　bathe　and　be　rid　of　the　dirt　and　sweat。
　
　The　hands　reached　for　the　stone　hanging　on　the　necklace　around　her　neck。　The　hands　drew　back；　as　if　afraid。
　
　We　cannot　remove　this　thing。　You　must　do　it　without　our　help。
　
　Through　the　soothing　warmth　and　security　of　the　beautiful　land　around　her；　through　the　fort　of　the　peace　she　had　found；　through　her　desire　to　do　as　the　gentle　murmurs　had　asked；　a　voice　rose　up　in　her　mind。　It　was　Zedd’s　voice；　telling　her　that　she　must　not　give　the　Stone　to　anyone；　for　any　reason；　telling　her　how　important　it　was　for　her　to　guard　it　always。
　
　She　looked　up；　from　the　circles　of　ripples　her　feet　made　in　the　water；　to　the　gentle　faces。　‘I　don’t　want　to　take　it　off。　Can’t　I　leave　it　on？’
　
　The　smiles　returned　and　widened。
　
　Of　course　you　can；　Rachel；　if　that　is　what　you　wish。　If　that　is　what　would　make　you　happy。
　
　‘I　want　it　to　stay　on。　That　would　make　me　happy。’
　
　Then　it　will　stay　on。　Now；　and　forever；　if　you　wish。
　
　She　smiled　a　smile　of　peace　and　security　as　she　slipped　into　the　soothing　water。　It　felt　so　good。　She　floated　and　drifted。　She　felt　all　her　troubles　sloughing　away　with　the　dirt。　One　moment；　it　seemed　she　couldn’t　feel　any　more　safe　or　happy；　and　then　the　next　moment　she　did；　and　the　next　yet　more。
　
　She　drew　her　arms　through　the　healing；　cleansing；　golden　water；　swimming　toward　the　other　side　of　the　pool；　where　she　remembered　leaving　Chase。　She　found　him　almost　up　to　his　neck　in　the　water；　his　head　tilted　back；　resting　on　a　soft　mat　of　grass　at　the　bank。　His　eyes　were　closed　and　he　had　a　wonderful　smile　on　his　face。
　
　‘Father？’
　
　‘Yes；　daughter；’　he　whispered　without　opening　his　eyes。
　
　She　swam　up　beside　him。　He　lifted　an　arm　and　she　slipped　under　it。　It　felt　so　good　to　have　his　arm　around　her　shoulders；　forting　her。
　
　‘Father；　do　we　ever　have　to　leave　this　place？’
　
　‘No。　They　say　we　can　stay　forever。’
　
　She　nuzzled　against　him。　‘I’m　so　glad。’
　
　She　slept；　really　slept；　like　she　couldn’t　remember　ever　sleeping　before；　so　safe　and　sheltered；　though　she　didn’t　know　how　long。　When　she　dressed；　her　clothes　were　clean；　and　seemed　to　sparkle　like　new。　Chase’s　clothes；　too；　were　bright　and　shiny。　She　held　hands　and　danced　in　circles　with　other　children；　glowing　children；　whose　voices　and　laughter　echoed。　It　made　her　laugh；　too；　laugh　with　happiness　like　none　she　had　ever　felt　before。
　
　When　she　was　hungry；　she　and　Chase　lay　in　the　grass；　the　warm　fog　and　glowing；　smiling　faces　around　them；　and　ate　things　that　were　sweet　and　delicious。　When　she　was　tired；　she　slept；　never　having　to　worry　about　where　she　slept；　because　she　was　safe；　safe　at　last。　And　when　she　wanted　to　play；　the　other　children　came　to　play　with　her。　They　loved　her。　Everyone　loved　her。　She　loved　everyone。
　
　Sometimes　she　walked　alone。　Filmy　shafts　of　sunlight　streamed　through　the　trees。　Glowing　meadows　were　filled　with　wildflowers　bowing　in　the　gentle　breeze；　winking　with　bright　specks　of　color。
　
　Sometimes　she　walked　with　Chase；　holding　his　hand。　She　was　so　happy　that　he　was　contented　now；　too。　He　never　had　to　fight　anyone　anymore。　He　was　safe；　too。　He　said　he　was　at　peace。
　
　He　sometimes　took　her　for　walks；　and　showed　her　the　woods　where；　he　said；　he　grew　up；　where；　he　said；　he　had　played　when　he　was　as　little　as　she。　She　smiled　with　delight　at　the　look　of　happiness　in　his　eyes。　She　loved　him　and　was　fulfilled　knowing　he；　like　she；　had　found　peace；　at　last。
　
　
　She　looked　up；　and　a　small　smile　touched　her　thin　lips。　She　hadn’t　heard　a　sound；　and　she　needn’t　turn　to　look　in　the　near　darkness。　She　knew　he　was　there；　on　the　other　side　of　the　door。　She　knew　how　long　he　had　been　there。
　
　Her　legs　still　crossed；　she　rose　smoothly　on　a　cushion　of　air；　hovering　above　the　straw…covered　floor。　The　boy’s　limp　arms　swung　as　they　dangled；　like　weighted　fishing　line。　Lacking　any　life　or　rigidity；　his　back　bent　backward；　draping　over　her　arm。　In　her　other　hand　was　clutched　the　statue。
　
　She　unfolded　her　legs　and　stretched　her　slippered　feet　to　the　floor；　settling　her　weight　on　them。　As　the　boy　slid　from　her　arm；　the　dead　weight　of　his　head　thunked　against　the　floor。　His　arms　and　legs　flopped　askew　to　one　side。　His　clothes　were　filthy。　Disgusted；　she　wiped　her　hands　on　her　skirts。
　
　‘Why　don’t　you　e　in；　Jedidiah。’　Her　voice　echoed　from　the　cold　stone。　‘I　know　you’re　there。　Don’t　try　to　pretend　you’re　not。’
　
　The　heavy　door　squeaked　slowly　open　and　the　shadowed　figure　strolled　into　the　light　of　a　single　candle　burning　on　a　rickety；　nearby　table　that　was　the　lower　room’s　only　accoutrement。　He　stood　relaxed；　silently　watching；　as　the　orange　glow　faded　from　her　eyes　and　they　returned　to　the　pale；　pale　blue　shot　through　with　violet　flecks。
　
　His　gaze　went　to　the　statue　in　her　hand。　The　owner　sent　me　to　find　that。　She　wants　it　back。’
　
　The　thin　smile　grew。　‘Does　she　now？’　She　shrugged。　‘Well；　I’m　through　with　it。’　She　held　it　out　to　him。　‘For　now。’
　
　Jedidiah’s　face　was　a　calm　mask　as　he　took　the　statue。　‘She　doesn’t　like　it　when　you　‘borrow’　her　things。’
　
　She　ran　a　finger　down　his　cheek。　‘She　is　not　the　one　I　serve。　I　don’t　really　care　what　she　likes　and　what　she　doesn’t。’
　
　‘You　would　be　wise　to　care　a　little　more。’
　
　Her　smile　brightened。　‘Really？　I　could　give　her　the　same　advice。’　She　twisted；　holding　an　arm　out　to　the　body　on　the　floor。　‘He　had　the　gift。’　Slowly；　her　hard　eyes　came　back　to　his；　the　smile　gone；　as　if　one　had　never　touched　her　features　in　all　her　life。　Her　voice　came　in　a　venomous　hiss。　‘I　have　it　now。’
　
　The　slightest　frown　of　puzzlement　touched　his　cool　expression。
　
　Think　we　must　have　the　ceremony；　Jedidiah？　The　ritual　in　the　Hagen　Woods？’　She　slowly　shook　her　head。　‘Not　anymore。　That　is　only　the　first　time；　because　we　are　female；　and　female　Han　cannot　absorb　the　male。’　Her　voice　lowered　to　a　derisive　whisper。　‘Not　any　longer。　Now　that　I　have　the　gift　of　a　male；　I　can　accept　others　without　the　ritual。’
　
　Her　face　glided　to　within　inches　of　his。　‘So　can　you；　Jedidiah；’　she　breathed。　‘With　the　quillion；　so　can　you。　I　could　teach　you。　It’s　sooo　easy。　I　simply　showed　him　the　joining　rite；　to　try　to　show　him　his　Han。’　Her　cheek　brushed　his　as　she　whispered　into　his　ear。　‘But　he　didn’t　know　how　to　control　his　gift。　I　created　a　vacuum　in　the　quillion。’　She　drew　back　to　appraise　his　eyes。　‘It　sucked　the　life　right　out　of　him。　Sucked　the　gift　right　out　of　him。　It’s　mine；　now。’
　
　He　studied　her　eyes　a　time　before　glancing　down　at　the　body。　‘I　don’t　recall　seeing　him　before。’
　
　She　continued　to　whisper　to　him　from　only　inches　away。　‘Don’t　play　games　with　me；　Jedidiah。　What　you　really　mean　is；　where　did　I　find　him；　and　why　haven’t　the　Sisters；　if　he　has　the　gift。’
　
　He　shrugged　nonchalantly。　‘If　he　has　the　gift；　why　isn’t　he　collared？’
　
　She　cocked　her　head　to　the　side。　‘Because　he　is　so　young。　His　Han　is　too　weak　to　be　detected　by　the　other　Sisters。’　She　tilted　her　head　to　the　other　side。　‘But　not　by　me。’　She　touched　her　nose　to　his。　‘He　was　right　here　in　the　city。　Right　under　their　noses。　Probably　the　offspring　of　a　dalliance　by　one　of　you　naughty　boys。’
　
　‘Very　efficient。　Saves　having　to　bother　with　reports。　Avoids　awkward　questions。’
　
　She　glanced　down　at　the　body。　‘Be　a　good　boy；　and　dispose　of　him　for　me。　I　found　him　living　in　squalor；　down　near　the　river。　Dump　him　back　there。　No　one　will　think　anything　of　it。’
　
　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。　‘You　wish　me　to　clean　up　after　you？’
　
　She　ran　a　finger　down　his　neck　and　across　his　throat；　across　his　Rada’Han。　‘You　make　a　serious　mistake；　Jedidiah；　if　you　think　of　me　as　a　mere　Sister。　I　have　the　male　gift　now；　same　as　you。　And　I　know　how　to　use　it。　You　wouldn’t　believe　how　much　that　power　increases　when　you　add　the　Han　of　another。’
　
　‘It　would　appear　that　you　are　being　a　Sister　to　be　reckoned　with。　A　wise　person　would　take　care　with　you。’
　
　She　patted　his　cheek。　‘Smart　boy；　Jedidiah。’
　
　She　gave　him　a　little　frown　as　she　slipped　her　hands　to　his　waist。　‘You　know；　Jedidiah；　you　may　think　of　yourself　as　powerful　in　the　gift；　but　I　think　you　should　worry　about　that。　You　have　never　had　one　to　challenge　your　abilities　before；　your　rightful　place　among　the　wizards　here；　but　a　new　one　es。　He　will　be　here　soon；　and　you　have　never　seen　one　like　this　before。　I　think　you　may　no　longer　be　the　pride　of　the　palace。’
　
　His　countenance　showed　no　reaction；　but　his　face　slowly　heated　to　red。　He　lifted　the　statue。　‘Well；　you　did　say　you　would　like　to　teach　me。’
　
　She　waggled　a　finger　in　front　of　his　face。　‘Uh；　uh；　uh。　He　is　mine。　You　may　have　another。　Any　gift　will　swell　your　power；　but　this　one　is　mine。’
　
　He　waggled　the　statue　in　front　of　her　face。　‘She　might　have　something　to　say　about　that。　She　has　plans　of　her　own。　Plans　for　him。’
　
　She　smiled　with　one　side　of　her　mouth。　‘I　know。　And　you　are　going　to　keep　me　informed　of　her　plans。’
　
　He　lifted　an　eyebrow。’　You　have　plans　for　me？’
　
　The　smile　grew　to　both　sides　of　her　mouth。　‘Very　special　plans。’　Her　hands　roamed　lower　down　the　sides　of　his　hips；　feeling　the　firmness　of　his　young　muscles　under　his　robes。　‘You’re　good　with　your　hands；　good　at　making　things；　making　things　in