tg.stone of tears- 第6部分

　
　Jebra　pressed　the　fist　with　the　Stone　to　her　cheek。　‘Thank　you；’　she　whispered；　‘for　not　accepting　it。　For　understanding。’
　
　Zedd　felt　a　renewed　pang　of　guilt。　‘And　so　this　duke　had　you　taken　in　and　used　you　for　his　own　purposes？’
　
　‘Yes。　Maybe　a　dozen　years　ago。　Because　I　was　Lady　Ordith’s　body　servant；　I　was　almost　always　present　at　any　meeting　or　function。　The　duke　would　e　to　me　later　and　I　would　tell　him　what　I　saw　of　his　adversaries。　With　my　help；　he　made　more　of　his　power　and　wealth。
　
　‘Virtually　no　one　anymore　knows　of　the　Stone　of　a　Seer。　He　disdained　people　who　ignored　the　old　knowledge。　He　mocked　his　opponents’　ignorance　by　having　me　wear　the　Stone　openly。
　
　‘He　also　had　me　keep　an　eye　to　the　Lady　Ordith。　It　prevented　her　from　succeeding　at　making　herself　a　widow。　So　she　now　contents　herself　with　being　absent　from　the　duke’s　house　whenever　she　can。　She　will　not　be　displeased　to　be　rid　of　me；　the　duke　used　his　strings　of　power　to　keep　me　employed　when　the　Lady　Ordith　would　have　wished　it　otherwise。’
　
　‘Why　would　she　be　displeased　with　your　service？’　He　grinned。　‘Are　you　lazy　and　rude；　as　she　claims？’
　
　Jebra　smiled　back；　the　fine　wrinkles　at　the　corners　of　her　eyes　deepening。　‘No。　It’s　the　visions。　Sometimes　when　I　have　them；　well；　you　felt　some　of　the　hurt　when　you　healed　me；　though　it　is　not　as　bad　as　that　for　me；　I　think。　But　sometimes　the　hurt　keeps　me　from　her　service　for　a　time。’
　
　Zedd　rubbed　his　chin。　‘Well；　since　you　are　out　of　employment；　you　will　be　a　guest　here　at　the　People’s　Palace　until　you　are　recovered。　I　have　some　little　influence　around　here。’　He　marveled　at　the　sudden　truth　of　that；　and　pulled　a　purse　from　a　pocket　in　his　robes。　He　gave　it　a　jingle。　‘For　your　expenses；　and　wage；　if　I　could　convince　you　to　take　up　a　new　employer。’
　
　She　hefted　the　purse　in　her　palm；　testing　its　weight。　‘If　this　be　copper；　it　is　insufficient　for　any　but　you。’　She　smiled　and　leaned　a　little　closer；　her　eyes　merry　and　scolding　at　the　same　time。　‘And　if　it　be　silver；　it　is　too　much。’
　
　Zedd　gave　her　a　grave　expression。　‘It’s　gold。’　Startled；　she　blinked。　‘But　it　is　not　me；　mainly；　you　will　be　working　for。’
　
　She　stared　at　the　purse　of　gold　in　her　hand；　then　looked　back　at　him。　‘Who　then？’
　
　‘Richard。　The　new　Lord　Rahl。’
　
　Jebra　paled　and　shook　her　head　vigorously；　her　shoulders　hunching　up。　She　shoved　the　purse　back　in　Zedd’s　hands。　‘No。’　Even　paler；　she　shook　her　head　again。　‘No。　I’m　sorry。　I　don’t　want　to　work　for　him。　No。’
　
　Zedd　frowned。　‘He　is　not　an　evil　person。　He’s　quite　kind…hearted；　in　fact。’
　
　‘I　know　that。’
　
　‘You　know　who　he　is？’
　
　She　looked　down　at　her　lap　and　nodded。　‘I　know。　I　saw　him　yesterday。　The　first　day　of　winter。’
　
　‘And　you　had　a　vision　when　you　saw　him？’
　
　Her　voice　was　weak　and　filled　with　fear。　‘Yes。’
　
　‘Jebra；　tell　me　what　you　saw。　Every　bit　of　it。　Please？　It’s　important。’
　
　She　looked　up　at　him　from　under　her　eyebrows　for　a　long　moment；　then　back　down　at　her　lap　as　she　chewed　her　lower　lip。
　
　‘It　was　at　the　morning　devotion；　yesterday。　When　the　bell　rang；　I　went　to　a　square；　and　he　was　standing　there；　looking　into　the　pool。　I　noticed　him　because　he　was　wearing　the　sword　of　the　Seeker。　And　because　he　was　tall　and　handsome。　And　he　wasn’t　kneeling　as　the　others　were。　He　stood　there；　watching　the　people　gathering；　and　as　I　approached；　his　eyes　passed　across　my　sight。　Just　for　an　instant。　The　power　ing　from　him　took　my　breath　away。
　
　‘A　Seer　can　sense　certain　kinds　of　power；　like　the　gift；　emanating　from　a　person。’　She　looked　up　at　Zedd。　‘I　have　seen　those　with　the　gift　before。　I　have　seen　their　auras。　They　have　all　been　like　yours；　there　is　a　warmth　to　them；　a　gentleness。　Your　aura　is　beautiful。　His　was　different。　It　had　that；　but　more；　too。’
　
　‘Violence；’　Zedd　said　in　a　soft　voice。　‘He　is　the　Seeker。’
　
　She　nodded。　‘It　could　be。　I　don’t　know；　I’ve　never　seen　the　like　of　it　before。　But　I　can　tell　you　what　it　felt　like。　It　felt　like　having　my　face　pushed　into　a　basin　of　icy　water　before　I　had　a　chance　to　get　a　breath。
　
　‘Sometimes　I　never　get　a　vision　from　a　person。　Sometimes　I　do。　I　can　never　tell　when　it’s　going　to　e。　Sometimes　when　a　person　is　in　distress；　they　throw　off　auras　and　visions　more　strongly。　He　was　throwing　off　auras　like　lightning　in　a　thunderstorm。　He　was　in　great　emotional　pain。　Like　an　animal　in　a　trap　trying　to　chew　its　own　leg　off。　He　felt　the　horror　of　having　to　betray　his　friends　to　save　them。　I　didn’t　understand　that。　It　didn’t　make　any　sense。
　
　There　was　an　image　of　a　woman；　a　beautiful　woman　with　long　hair。　Maybe　a　Confessor；　although　I　don’t　know　how　that　could　be。　The　aura　flamed　so　strongly　with　anguish　for　her　that　I　felt　my　face；　fearing　I　would　find　the　skin　burned。　If　I　hadn’t　been　at　devotion；　I　would　have　fallen　to　my　knees　anyway　from　the　agony　of　the　auras。
　
　‘I　almost　rushed　to　him；　to　fort　him；　when　two　Mord…Sith　approached；　and　noticed　him　standing；　and　not　kneeling。　He　felt　no　fear；　but　he　went　to　his　knees　anyway；　out　of　resignation　to　the　terrible　betrayal　he　had　been　forced　into。　I　was　relieved　when　he　knelt；　I　thought　that　would　be　the　end　of　it。　I　was　thankful　I　had　seen　only　auras；　for　the　most　part；　and　not　true　visions。　I　didn’t　want　to　see　any　visions　from　that　man。’　She　stared　off；　seemingly　lost　in　the　memory　of　it。
　
　‘But　that　wasn’t　the　end　of　it？’
　
　Her　eyes　came　back　to　where　she　was。　‘No。　I　thought　the　worst　of　it　was　over；　but　what　I　had　seen　didn’t　touch　what　was　to　e。’
　
　Jebra　dry…washed　her　hands　for　a　moment。　‘We　were　saying　the　chant　to　Father　Rahl；　and　all　of　a　sudden　he　sprang　up　He　had　a　smile　on　his　face。　He　had　solved　the　puzzle　that　trapped　him。　The　last　piece　had　snapped　into　place。　The　woman’s　face　and　his　love　for　her　filled　the　aura。’
　
　She　shook　her　head。　‘I　pity　the　person　who　ever　puts　a　finger　between　those　two。　They　will　lose　the　finger；　maybe　the　hand；　and　maybe　the　whole　arm　before　they　have　the　time　to　think　to　pull　it　back。’
　
　‘Her　name　is　Kahlan；’　Zedd　said　with　a　little　smile。　‘And　then　what　happened？’
　
　Jebra　crossed　her　arms　across　her　abdomen。　Then　the　visions　started。　I　saw　him　killing　a　man；　but　I　couldn’t　tell　how。　Not　with　blood；　but　killing　him　just　the　same。　And　then　I　saw　the　man　he　was　going　to　kill：　Darken　Rahl。　And　then　I　saw　that　it　was　his　father；　but　he　didn’t　know　it。　That　was　when　I　knew　who　he　was：　the　son　of　Darken　Rahl；　the　soon　to　be　new　Master　Rahl。　The　aura　was　flashing　in　terrible　conflicts。　moner　to　king。’
　
　Zedd　put　a　forting　hand　to　her　shoulder。　‘Darken　Rahl　wanted　to　rule　the　world　with　a　frightful　magic。　By　stopping　him；　Richard　saved　a　great　many　from　torture　or　death。　Even　though　killing　is　terrible；　by　doing　so　he　has　saved　the　lives　of　many　more。　Surely　you　would　not　be　frightened　of　Richard　because　of　that。’
　
　She　shook　her　head。　‘No。　It　was　by　what　came　next。　The　two　Mord…Sith　stood；　because　he　was　going　to　leave　a　devotion。　One　raised　her　Agiel；　threatening　him。　I　was　surprised　to　see　he　wore　one　at　his　neck；　red；　just　like　theirs。　He　held　it　out　in　his　fist。　He　told　them　that　if　they　didn’t　let　him　pass；　he　would　kill　them。　The　aura　of　violence　around　him　took　my　breath　away。　He　wanted　them　to　try。　They　sensed　it　and　let　him　pass。’
　
　‘As　he　turned　to　leave　。。。　that　was　when　I　saw　the　other　visions。’　She　put　a　hand　to　her　heart　as　tears　ran　down　her　cheeks。　‘Zedd　。。。　my　visions　are　not　always　clear。　Sometimes。　I　don’t　know　what　they　mean。　Once　I　saw　a　farmer’s　vision。　Birds　were　pecking　at　the　stomachs　of　him　and　his　family。　I　didn’t　know　what　it　meant。　It　turned　out　that　a　flock　of　blackbirds　came　and　ate　the　seed　he　had　just　planted。　He　was　able　to　replant；　and　guard　the　field。　But　he　and　his　family　could　have　starved　if　he　hadn’t。’
　
　She　wiped　her　fingers　at　the　tears　on　her　cheeks。　‘Sometimes　I　can’t　tell　what　the　visions　mean；　or　if　they　will　turn　out　to　be　true；　not　all　of　that　kind　do。’　She　fussed　with　her　hair。　‘But　sometimes　they　e　to　pass　exactly　as　I　see　them。　I　can　tell　when　they　are　true；　and　will　happen　without　a　doubt。’
　
　Zedd　patted　her　shoulder。　‘I　understand；　Jebra。　Visions　are　a　form　of　prophecy；　and　I　know　how　confusing　prophecy　can　be。　What　kind　of　vision　did　you　see　from　Richard？　The　confusing　kind；　or　the　ones　that　are　clear？’
　
　She　shared　a　deep　gaze　with　his　eyes。　‘I　saw　every　kind。　I　saw　every　kind　of　vision　I　have　ever　had；　from　the　confusing　to　clear；　from　the　possible　to　the　certain。　They　came　in　a　rush。　They　have　never　done　that　before。　Mostly　I　only　have　a　single　vision；　and　I　either　know　what　it　means　and　that　it　is　true；　or　I　don’t　understand　it　and　can’t　tell　if　it　will　e　to　pass。　The　visions　from　this　man　came　in　a　torrent。　They　rushed　past　like　wind…driven　rain。　But　every　one　was　pain　and　hurt　and　danger。
　
　The　ones　that　stood　out　the　hardest；　and　I　knew　to　be　true；　were　the　worst。　One　was　of　something　around　his　neck。　I　couldn’t　tell　what；　but　it　was　something　that　will　cause　him　great　pain；　and　take　him　from　the　woman　。。。　Kahlan；　you　said　her　name　was。。。　take　him　from　everyone　he　loves。　Lock　him　away。’
　
　‘Richard　was　captured　by　a　Mord…Sith；　and　tortured　by　her。　Perhaps　that　is　what　you　saw；’　Zedd　offered。
　
　Jebra　shook　her　head　vehemently。　‘It　wasn’t　what　was：　it　was　what　will　be。　And　not　the　pain　of　a　Mord…Sith。　Different。　I　am　sure　of　it。’
　
　Zedd　nodded　in　thought。　‘What　else？’
　
　‘I　saw　him　in　an　hourglass。　He　was　on　his　knees　in　the　bottom　half；　crying　in　anguish；　the　sand　falling　all　around　him；　but　not　a　grain　touching　him。　The　gravestones　of　all　those　he　loved　were　in　the　top　half；　where　he　couldn’t　reach　them　against　the　fall　of　the　sand。
　
　‘I　saw　a　knife　at　his　heart；　a　killing　knife；　held　in　his　own　shaking　hands。　Before　I　could　see　what　would　happen；　another　vision　came　…　they　are　not　always　in　order　of　events。　He　was　in　his　fine　red　coat；　the　one　with　gold　buttons　and　brocade　trim。　He　was　facedown　。。。　a　knife　in　his　back。　He　was　dead；　but　at　the　same　time；　he　wasn’t。　His　own　hands　reached　down　to　roll　him　over；　but　before　I　saw　his　dead　face；　another　vision　came。
　
　‘It　was　the　worst。　The　strongest。’　The　tears　welled　up　again；　and　she　began　to　sob　softly。　Zedd　squeezed　her　shoulder　to　encourage　her　to　go　on。　‘I　saw　his　flesh　burning。’　She　wiped　at　the　tears　and　rocked　back　and　forth　a　little　as　she　cried。　‘He　was　screaming。　I　could　even　smell　the　burning　skin。　Then；　whatever　was　burning　him　…　I　couldn’t　tell　what　it　was　…　when　it　pulled　back；　he　was　unconscious；　and　there　was　a　mark　upon　him。　A　mark　burned　into　him。’
　
　Zedd　worked　his　tongue　in　his　mouth；　trying　to　wet　it。　‘Could　you　see　what　the　mark　was？’
　
　‘No；　not　what　it　looked　like。　But　I　knew　what　it　was　as　surely　as　I　know　the　sun　when　I　see　it。　It　was　the　mark　of　the　dead；　a　mark　of　the　Keeper　of　the　underworld。　The　Keeper　had　marked　him　to　be　his　own。’
　
　Zedd　worked　to　steady　his　breathing；　his　trembling　hands。　‘Were　there　more　visions？’
　
　‘Yes；　but　not　as　strong　and　I　didn’t　understand