tg.stone of tears- 第153部分

　
　‘Please　don’t　touch　it；’　Warren　said。　‘It’s　very　old　and　fragile。　Of　late；　it　has　been　getting　more　use　than　usual。　Let　me　turn　the　pages。’
　
　‘Who’s　been　using　it？’　Richard　asked。
　
　‘The　Prelate。’　A　smile　twitched　across　Warren’s　lips。　‘Whenever　she　is　to　e　down　here；　her　two　big　guards　e　first　and　make　everyone　leave。　They　clear　the　vaults；　so　the　Prelate　can　have　the　place　to　herself；　and　people　won’t　know　what　she　reads。’
　
　‘Her　big　guards？’　Pasha　asked。　‘You　mean　the　two　Sisters　in　her　outer　office？’
　
　‘Yes；’　Warren　said。　‘Sister　Ulicia；　and　Sister　Finella。’
　
　‘We　saw　them　today；’　Richard　said。　They　didn’t　look　that　big　to　me。’
　
　Warren　lowered　his　voice　meaningfully。　‘If　you　ever　cross　them；　you　will　think　otherwise。　They　will　seem　very　big；　indeed。’
　
　Richard　took　pause　at　Warren’s　expression。　‘If　the　place　is　cleared　out；　how　do　you　know　she　has　been　reading　this　book？’
　
　‘I　know。’　He　turned　to　the　book　on　the　table。　‘I　know。　She　has　been　doing　most　of　her　reading　in　this　room；　of　late。　I　live　with　these　books。　When　someone　touches　them；　I　can　tell。　You　see　this　smudge　in　the　dust？　It’s　not　mine。　It’s　the　Prelate’s。’
　
　Warren　carefully　lifted　open　the　cover　and；　with　both　hands　giving　support；　turned　the　yellowed　pages。　Richard　didn’t　recognize　any　of　the　words；　or　some　of　the　letters　for　that　matter。　On　one　of　the　pages　that　Warren　flipped；　Richard　thought　he　recognized　something：　a　drawing。　It　sparked　a　deep　memory。　Warren　flipped　over　more　pages；　finally　stopping。　He　leaned　over　Richard’s　shoulder；　pointing。
　
　‘This　is　the　prophecy　you　spoke　of。’　Warren　moved　around　to　the　right　side　of　the　table。　This　is　the　original；　in　the　prophet’s　own　hand。　Few　have　ever　seen　it。　Do　you　understand　High　D’Haran？’
　
　‘No。　It　just　looks　like　scribbling　to　me。’　Richard　glanced　over　the　meaningless　writing。　‘You　said　there　was　argument　over　its　meaning。’
　
　Warren’s　eyes　had　an　intense　gleam。　There　is。　You　see；　this　is　a　very　old　prophecy；　perhaps　as　old　as　the　palace；　maybe　older。　This　is　the　original　prophecy。　It’s　in　High　D’Haran；　as　is　everything　in　this　room。　Very　few　people　understand　High　D’Haran。’
　
　Richard　nodded。　‘So　people　have　only　read　the　translations；　and　there　is　reason　to　believe　that　those　translations　may　not　be　accurate。’
　
　‘You　understand；’　Warren　whispered。　His　movements　became　more　lively。　‘Yes；　yes；　you　see　the　problem。　Most　don’t。　Most　think　one　thing　in　one　language　must　mean　a　certain　thing　in　another。　In　order　to　plete　the　translation；　they　settle　on　an　interpretation　that　fits　their　view　of　the　meaning；　but　in　so　doing；　they　create　a　conspectus　that　may　or　may　not　be　the　meaning　of　the　prophecy。’
　
　‘But　that　doesn’t　take　into　account　possible　different　meanings；’　Richard　said。　‘So　when　they　translate　it；　they　give　it　only　one　version。　They　can’t　translate　its　ambiguity。’
　
　Warren　thrust　himself　forward　in　excitement。　‘Yes！　You　have　it！　That’s　what　they　can’t　understand；　and　so　they　argue　over　the　various　translations；　as　if　there　is　a　right　way　and　a　wrong　way　to　do　it。　But　this　is　High　D’Haran　。。。’
　
　Warren’s　words　trailed　off。　Richard　was　staring　at　the　page。　The　images　there　were　drawing　him　in。　It　was　almost　as　if　they　were　murmuring　to　him。　He　had　never　seen　such　words　before；　but　somehow　they　resonated　with　something　deep　within　him。
　
　His　hand　slowly　reached　out；　drawn　to　one　of　the　words。　His　finger　came　to　rest　on　it。
　
　‘This　one；’　Richard　whispered；　as　if　from　a　trance。　The　strokes　of　the　letters　seemed　to　lift　from　the　page；　as　if　alive；　and　coil　around　his　finger；　the　dark　lines　caressing；　fondling；　with　intimate　familiarity。　Before　his　eyes；　too；　floated　the　image　of　the　Sword　of　Truth。
　
　Warren’s　white　face　came　up　from　the　book。　‘Drauka；’　he　whispered。　That’s　the　word　that　is　the　center　of　the　controversy。　Fuer　grissa　ost　drauka　…　the　bnnger　of　death。’
　
　Pasha　leaned　over。　‘So　what’s　the　controversy？　You　mean　those　words　can　be　translated　differently？’
　
　Warren　made　a　vague　gesture　with　his　hand。　‘Well；　yes；　and　no。　That’s　the　literal　translation　of　the　words。　It’s　their　meaning　that　is　in　dispute。’
　
　Richard　pulled　his　hand　back。　He　banished　the　image　of　the　sword。　‘Death。　It　has　different　meanings。’
　
　Warren　practically　laid　on　the　table　as　he　leaned　over。　‘Yes！　You　understand！’
　
　‘Death　is　plain　as　pie；’　Pasha　said。
　
　Warren　straightened　and　rubbed　his　hands　together。　‘No；　Pasha。　Not　in　High　D’Haran。　The　weapon　the　Sisters　carry；　the　dacra；　its　name　es　from　this　word。　Drauka　means　death；　as　in　dead；　like　if　I　were　to　say　‘the　mriswith　Richard　killed　is　dead。’　Drauka。　Dead。　But　it　has　other　meanings；　too。　Drauka　also　is　a　word　that　represents　the　souls　of　the　dead。’
　
　Pasha　leaned　forward　with　a　frown。　‘Are　you　saying　that　drauka；　in　that　sense；　can　make　it　mean　‘the　bringer　of　souls’？’
　
　‘No；’　Richard　said。　He　whispered　the　second　meaning　of　the　word。　‘Spirits。　The　bringer　of　spirits。’
　
　‘Yes；’　Warren　said　in　a　quiet　voice。　That　is　the　second　interpretation。’
　
　‘How　many　of　these　different　meanings　to　drauka　are　there？’　Pasha　asked。
　
　Three；　Richard　thought。
　
　Three；’　Warren　said。
　
　Richard　knew　the　third。　The　underworld；’　he　whispered　as　he　stared　at　the　word　drauka　on　the　page。　The　place　of　the　dead。　That’s　the　third　meaning　of　drauka。’
　
　Pale　as　a　spirit；　Warren　leaned　toward　him。　‘But　you　Won’t　understand　D’Haran？’　Richard　slowly　shook　his　mead；　his　eyes　fixed　on　the　page。　Warren’s　tongue　darted　out　to　wet　his　lips。　‘Please　tell　me　you　don’t　have　D’Haran　blood。’
　
　‘My　father　was　Darken　Rahl；’　Richard　said　softly。　‘He　was　the　wizard　who　ruled　D’Hara；　and　before　him；　my　grand…father；　Panis。’
　
　‘Dear　Creator；’　Warren　whispered。
　
　Pasha　put　a　hand　to　Richard’s　arm　as　she　leaned　toward　them　both。　‘Underworld？　How　could　it　mean　underworld？’
　
　‘Because；’　Warren　said；　‘the　underworld　is　the　world　of　the　dead。’
　
　Her　brow　knit　tighter。　‘But　how　could　it　mean　‘the　bringer　of　the　underworld’？　How　can　you　bring　the　underworld？’
　
　Richard　stared　blankly　ahead。　‘You　tear　the　veil。’　The　silence　echoed　around　the　stone　room。　Pasha　looked　from　one　face　to　the　other。　She　finally　broke　the　silence。　‘But　I　was　taught　that　for　a　foreign　word　in　a　prophecy　that　had　different　shades　of　meaning；　you　had　only　to　inter…pret　it　in　context。　It　should　be　a　simple　matter　of　seeing　how　it　is　used　to　decipher　its　meaning。’
　
　Warren　lifted　an　eyebrow。　That’s　what　the　argument　is　about。　You　see；　in　this　prophecy；　it　speaks　of　things　that　could　pertain　to　each　of　the　three　possible　meanings　of　the　word　drauka。　Depending　on　which　meaning　was　intended；　it　changes　the　meaning　of　the　prophecy。　That　is　why　it　cannot　be　interpreted　with　surety。　It’s　like　a　dog　chasing　his　tail。　The　more　you　try；　the　more　you　just　end　up　going　round　and　round。
　
　This　is　why　I’m　so　anxious　to　know　the　intended　meaning　of　the　word　drauka。　If　I　could　know　that；　then　I　might　be　able　to　decipher　the　rest　of　the　prophecy　accurately　for　the　first　time。　I　would　be　the　first　in　three　thousand　years　to　understand　it。’
　
　Richard　pushed　his　chair　away　from　the　table。　‘Well；　as　I　said；　I’m　not　very　good　with　riddles。’　He　forced　himself　to　smile。　‘But　I　promise　to　think　on　it。’
　
　Warren　brightened。　‘Would　you？　I　would　be　so　appreciative　if　you　would　be　able　to　help　me。’
　
　Richard　squeezed　Warren’s　shoulder。　‘You　have　my　word。’
　
　Pasha　rose。　‘Well；　I　guess　we　better　get　to　Richard’s　lesson。　It’s　getting　late。’
　
　‘Thank　you　both　for　ing。　I　rarely　have　visitors。’
　
　Pasha　leading；　the　three　of　them　went　toward　the　door。
　
　As　she　passed　through　the　doorway；　Richard　slapped　his　hand　to　the　metal　plate　on　the　wall。
　
　The　door　grated　closed。　Pasha　beat　her　fists　to　the　stone；　as　the　slit　had　bee　too　small　for　her　to　e　back　through。　She　shouted　for　them　to　open　the　door。　As　the　stone　sealed　closed；　her　words　were　cut　off；　leaving　Richard　and　Warren　in　silence。
　
　Warren　stared　at　the　metal　plate。　‘How　did　you　do　that？　You　are　just　a　beginning　wizard。　You　should　not　be　able　to　effect　a　shield　with　your　Han　for　a　very　long　time　yet。’
　
　Richard　didn’t　have　an　answer　for　the　question；　and　so　he　ignored　it。　Tell　me　what　you　meant　about　knowing　what　the　Sisters　would　do　to　you　if　they　caught　you　telling　that　kind　of　lie。’
　
　Warren’s　hand　went　to　his　collar。　‘Well；　they　would　hurt　me。’
　
　‘You　mean　they　would　use　the　collar’s　magic　to　give　you　pain？’
　
　Warren　nodded　as　he　took　a　knot　of　his　robes　in　his　fists。
　
　‘Do　they　do　that　often？　Give　us　pain　with　the　collar？’
　
　Warren　twisted　the　knot　of　robe。　‘No；　not　often。　But　to　be　a　wizard；　you　must　pass　a　test　of　pain。　They　e　from　time　to　time　and　give　you　pain　with　the　Rada’Han；　to　see　if　you　have　learned　enough　to　pass　the　test　of　pain。’
　
　‘And　how　do　you　pass　the　test？’
　
　‘Well；　I　can　only　imagine　that　when　you　can　endure　the　pain　without　begging　them　to　stop；　you　pass。　They　never　tell　me　what　must　be　done　to　pass。’　His　face　had　gone　ashen。　‘I’ve　never　been　able　to　keep　from　begging　them　to　stop。　Once　you　learn　to　endure　what　they　give；　they　give　more。’
　
　‘I　thought　it　might　be　something　like　that。　Thanks　for　telling　me。’　Richard　stroked　his　beard。　‘Warren；　I　need　your　help。’
　
　Warren　lifted　the　sleeve　of　his　robes　and　wiped　it　at　his　wet　eyes。　‘What　help　can　I　give？’
　
　‘You　said　there　are　prophecies　about　me。　I　want　you　to　study　everything　about　me　you　can　find。　And　about　the　Towers　of　Perdition；　the　Valley　of　the　Lost。　I　also　need　to　know　everything　I　can　about　the　veil。’　Richard　pointed　at　the　book　on　the　table。　There　was　a　drawing　a　few　pages　before　you　stopped　on　the　prophecy。　It　was　a　teardrop　shape。　Do　you　know　what　it　is？’
　
　Warren　went　to　the　book　and　turned　the　pages　back。　This？’
　
　‘Yes。　That’s　it。’　He　remembered　seeing　it　around　Rachel’s　neck；　in　his　vision　of　her　and　Chase　in　the　Valley　of　the　Lost。　An　image　of　Zedd　came　into　Richard’s　mind。　His　heart　thumped　faster。　That　looks　like　the　thing　I　saw。　What　is　it？’
　
　Warren　gave　him　a　puzzled　look。　The　Stone　of　Tears。　What　do　you　mean　you　saw　it？’
　
　‘What　is　the　Stone　of　Tears？’
　
　‘Well；　I’m　not　sure。　I’d　have　to　study　about　it；　but　I　think　it　might　have　something　to　do　with　the　veil；　if　drauka　could　be　interpreted　to　have　something　to　do　with　the　underworld。　What　do　you　mean　you　saw　it？’
　
　Richard　ignored　the　question　for　a　second　time。　‘Warren；　I　also　need　to　know　about　the　Stone　of　Tears；　and　everything　you　can　find　about　the　people　who　used　to　live　in　the　Valley　of　the　Lost。　The　Baka　Ban　Mana。　Their　name　means　‘those　without　masters。’　And　about　one　they　call　the　Caharin。’
　
　Warren　stared　dumbly　at　him。　This　is　all　a　lot　of　work。’
　
　‘Will　you　help　me；　Warren？’
　
　Warren　looked　down；　picking　at　his　robes。　‘On　a　condition。　I　never　get　out　of　this　place。　Not　that　I　don’t　like　working　with　the　prophecies；　you　understa