tg.stone of tears-第143部分

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　A　stout；　stern…faced　woman　crossed　in　front　of　him；　stopping　before　Sister　Verna。　The　woman　held　her　nose　in　the　air　until　Sister　Verna　lifted　her　head　and　straightened　her　back。
　
　‘Sister　Verna。　It　is　obvious　you　have　neither　the　talent　nor　skill　to　be　a　Sister　of　the　Light。　Your　failure　is　quite　beyond　the　pale。　As　of　this　moment；　you　are　broken　to　novice；　first　rank。　You　will　serve　as　a　novice　until　such　time　as；　and　if　the　Creator　wills；　you　earn　the　title　of　Sister　of　the　Light。’
　
　Sister　Verna　lifted　her　chin。　‘Yes；　Sister　Maren。’
　
　‘Novices　do　not　speak　to　a　Sister　unless　asked　to！　I　did　not　ask　you　to　speak！’　She　held　out　a　hand。　‘Surrender　your　dacra。’
　
　Sister　Verna　flicked　her　hand；　the　silver　knife　appearing　from　her　sleeve。　She　twirled　it；　presented　the　handle　to　the　other　woman；　and　then　stood　silent；　her　eyes　straight　ahead。
　
　‘At　dawn　tomorrow；　you　will　report　to　the　kitchens。　You　will　scrub　pots　until　you　are　judged　worthy　to　attempt　something　more　demanding　of　your　intelligence。　Do　you　understand！’
　
　‘Yes；　Sister　Maren。　I　understand。’
　
　‘And　if　you　even　look　like　you　are　going　to　give　me　any　back　talk；　it　will　be　the　stables　instead　of　the　kitchens；　cleaning　stalls　and　hauling　manure！’
　
　‘In　that　case；　Sister　Maren；　I　will　report　directly　to　the　stables；　instead　of　the　kitchens；　and　save　your　ears　what　it　is　I　would　say　to　you。’
　
　Sister　Maren’s　face　reddened。　‘Very　well；　novice。　The　stables　it　is。’
　
　Sister　Maren　paused　before　Richard；　giving　him　a　tight　smile。　‘I　trust　that　does　not　break　your　truce。’　She　lifted　her　chin　and　stormed　off。
　
　The　room　was　silent。　Richard　looked　to　Sister　Verna；　but　the　Sister　stared　straight　ahead。　Pasha；　her　face　set　in　a　scowl；　suddenly　put　herself　between　them。
　
　‘Verna　is　no　longer　your　concern。　Your　arm　is　bleeding。　Since　you　are　my　charge；　I　will　tend　to　it。’
　
　She　took　a　calming　breath　as　she　twined　her　fingers　together　before　her　waist。　‘There　is　a　big　banquet；　to　wele　you；　beginning　in　the　dining　room。　Maybe　you　will　feel　better　about　all　of　us　after　the　banquet。　Everyone　is　looking　forward　to　it。　Everyone　wants　a　chance　to　personally　wele　you。’　She　shook　a　finger　at　him。　‘And　you　will　be　on　your　best　behavior；　young　man！’
　
　Having　put　the　sword　away；　he　had　put　most　of　the　anger　away。　Most；　but　not　all。　‘I’m　not　hungry。　Show　me　to　my　dungeon；　child。’
　
　Her　fists　tightened　on　her　blue　skirts。　With　a　dark　look；　she　considered　him　a　moment。　‘Very　well。　Have　it　your　way。　You　can　just　go　to　bed　without　your　supper；　like　a　spoiled　child。’　She　turned　on　her　heel。　‘Follow　me。’
　
　
　CHAPTER　50
　
　Sister　Verna　put　her　hand　to　the　brass　lever。　The　room　was　shielded。　She　took　a　controlled　breath　and　then　knocked。
　
　A　muffled　voice　behind　the　heavy　door　answered。　‘e。’
　
　The　shield　dissolved。　She　opened　the　right　side　of　the　double　doors　and　stepped　in。　Two　women　sat；　each　at　her　own　desk；　to　each　side　of　the　door　beyond。　Both　were　writing　in　ledgers。　Neither　looked　up。
　
　‘Yes；’　the　one　to　the　left　said　as　she　continued　writing；　‘what　is　it？’
　
　‘I　have　e　to　return　the　journey　book；　Sister　Ulicia。’
　
　Sister　Ulicia　wet　her　ringer　and　flipped　a　page。　‘Yes；　just　put　it　on　the　desk。　Shouldn’t　you　be　at　the　banquet　in　honor　of　your　return？　I　would　think　you　would　want　to　get　reac…quainted　with　old　friends。’
　
　Sister　Verna　clasped　her　hands。　‘I　have　more　important　matters　to　attend　than　banquets。　I　wish　to　give　the　journey　book　to　the　Prelate；　personally。　And　I　wish　to　speak　with　her；　Sister　Ulicia。’
　
　They　both　looked　up。　‘Well；’　Sister　Ulicia　said；　‘the　Prelate　does　not　wish　to　speak　with　you；　Sister　Verna。　She　is　a　busy　woman。　She　can’t　be　bothered　with　unimportant　matters。’
　
　‘Unimportant！　It　is　not　unimportant！’
　
　‘Do　not　raise　your　voice　in　this　office；　Sister　Verna；’　the　other　warned。　She　dipped　her　pen　in　an　ink　bottle　and　bent　back　over　her　writing。
　
　Sister　Verna　took　a　step　forward。　The　air　between　the　desks；　before　the　door　beyond；　shimmered　suddenly　with　a　powerful　shield　that　hissed　and　crackled　in　warning。
　
　‘The　Prelate　is　busy；’　Sister　Ulicia　said。　‘If　she　deems　your　return　of　consequence；　she　will　send　for　you。’　She　pulled　a　candle　closer　and　bent　back　to　her　book。　‘Just　put　the　journey　book　on　my　desk。　I　will　see　that　it’s　returned　to　her。’
　
　Sister　Verna　controlled　her　voice　as　she　gritted　her　teeth。　‘I　have　been　broken　down　to　novice。’　They　both　glanced　up。　‘Broken　to　novice；　because　I　followed　the　orders　of　that　woman。　Despite　my　pleas　and　appeals；　she　forbade　me　to　do　my　job；　my　duty；　and　because　of　that；　I　am　to　be　punished！　Punished　for　doing　as　the　Prelate　ordered　me　to　do！　I　will　at　least　hear　the　reasons！’
　
　Sister　Ulicia　leaned　back　in　her　chair　and　then　turned　to　the　other　woman。　‘Sister　Finella；　please　send　a　report　to　the　headmistress　of　the　novices。　Inform　her　that　novice　Verna　Sauventreen　came　to　the　Prelate’s　office　without　authorization　or　invitation；　and　further；　she　carried　on　in　a　tirade　unbeing　of　a　novice　hoping　one　day　to　be　a　Sister　of　the　Light。’
　
　Sister　Finella　shifted　herself　in　annoyance　as　she　glared　up　at　Sister　Verna。　‘My；　my；　novice　Verna；　your　first　day　in　your　pursuit　of　higher　calling；　and　already　you’ve　earned　a　letter　of　reprimand。’　She　clicked　her　tongue。　‘I　do　so　hope　you　learn　to　behave　yourself；　if　you　ever　hope　to　be　a　Sister　of　the　Light。’
　
　That　will　be　all；　novice；’　Sister　Ulicia　said。　‘You　are　dismissed。’
　
　Sister　Verna　turned　on　her　heel。　She　heard　the　snap　of　fingers。　She　looked　back　over　her　shoulder　to　see　Sister　Ulicia　tapping　the　corner　of　her　desk。
　
　‘The　journey　book。　And　I　don’t　believe　that　is　the　way　a　novice　departs　when　she　is　dismissed　by　a　Sister。　Is　it；　novice？’
　
　Sister　Verna　pried　the　small　black　book　from　behind　her　belt　and　gently　set　it　on　the　corner　of　the　desk。
　
　‘No；　Sister；　it　is　not。’　She　curtsied。　‘Thank　you；　Sisters；　for　your　time。’
　
　Sister　Verna　sighed　to　herself　as　she　closed　the　door　against　her　back。　She　stood　for　a　moment；　considering。
　
　Eyes　to　the　floor　before　her；　she　made　her　way　back　through　the　palace；　down　halls　both　opened　and　closed；　both　stone　and　paneled；　across　floors　carpeted　and　tiled。　Rounding　a　corner；　she　came　suddenly　upon　someone。　She　looked　up　into　a　face　she　had　been　hoping　not　to　see。
　
　He　smiled　in　a　familiar　manner。　‘Verna！　How　good　to　see　you！’
　
　His　young；　square…jawed　face　looked　unchanged。　His　wavy　brown　hair　was　worn　a　little　longer　over　his　ears　than　before；　and　his　shoulders　were　broader　than　she　remembered。　She　had　to　restrain　herself　from　touching　his　cheek；　from　falling　into　his　arms。
　
　She　bowed　her　head。　‘Jedidiah。’　She　gazed　up　into　his　brown　eyes。　‘You　look　fit。　You　look　。。。　the　same　as　you　have　always　looked。　You　wear　the　time　well。’
　
　‘You　look　。。。　I　guess　。。。’
　
　‘The　word　you　are　searching　for　is　old。　I　look　old。’
　
　‘Ah；　Verna。　A　few　wrinkles　…’　He　glanced　down　her　body。’　…　a　few　pounds；　do　not　diminish　a　beauty　such　as　yours。’
　
　‘I　see　your　tongue　is　still　in　good　form　around　women。’　She　glanced　to　his　plain；　tan　robes。　‘And　I　can　see　you’ve　been　a　good　student；　as　always；　and　have　managed　to　advance　yourself。　I’m　proud　of　you；　Jedidiah。’
　
　He　shrugged　off　the　pliment　and　pressed　his　fingers　together。　Tell　me　about　the　new　one　you　brought　in。’
　
　Her　eyes　narrowed。　‘You’ve　not　seen　me　in　twenty…odd　years；　since　I　rose　from　your　bed　to　go　on　my　journey；　and　that　is　your　question　for　me？　Not；　how　have　I　fared？　Not；　how　do　I　feel　about　you　after　all　this　time？　Not；　has　your　heart　found　another？　Well；　I　guess　the　shock　of　seeing　how　I’ve　aged　has　made　those　questions　fly　right　from　your　head。’
　
　The　sly　smile　stayed　on　his　lips。　‘Verna；　you’re　not　a　silly　girl。　Surely　you　must　realize　that　in　the　passing　of　so　much　time；　neither　of　us　could　be　expected　to　。。。’
　
　‘Of　course　I　know　that！　I　had　no　delusions　of　us。　I　had　simply　hoped　to　return　and　be　treated　with　a　little　tact　and　sensitivity。’
　
　He　shrugged　again。　‘I’m　sorry；　Verna。　I　always　thought　of　you　as　a　woman　who　appreciated　candor；　one　who　had　no　use　for　word　sports。’　His　eyes　went　out　of　focus。　‘I　guess　I’ve　learned　so　much　about　。。。　life　。。。　since　back　then；　when　I　was　so　young。’
　
　She　removed　her　glare　from　his　handsome　face　and　started　away。　‘Good　night；　Jedidiah。’
　
　‘What　of　my　question？’　His　voice　had　an　unpleasant　edge　to　in。　He　softened　it。　‘What’s　the　new　one　like？’
　
　She　halted；　but　didn’t　turn。　‘You　were　there。　I　saw　you。　What　you　saw　of　Richard　is　what　he　is。’
　
　‘I　also　saw　what　happened　to　you。　I’m　gaining　a　little　influence　among　some　of　the　Sisters。　Maybe　I　can　do　something　to　help　you　with　your　situation。’　He　gestured　vaguely　with　a　hand。　‘If　you’re　open　with　me；　and　satisfy　my　curiosity；　maybe　I　can　help　you　out　of　your　unfortunate　predicament。’
　
　She　started　out　again。　‘Good　night；　Jedidiah。’
　
　‘I’ll　be　seeing　you　around　the　palace；　Verna。　Think　on　it。’
　
　She　couldn’t　believe　how　ignorant　she　had　been　all　those　years　ago。　She　remembered　Jedidiah　as　caring　and　sincere。　Maybe　her　memory　was　addled。
　
　Maybe　she　was　just　thinking　of　herself；　and　hadn’t　given　him　the　chance　to　be　kinder。　She　must　look　a　mess。　She　should　have　cleaned　herself　up；　put　on　a　nice　dress；　at　least　fixed　her　unruly　hair；　before　she　saw　Jedidiah。　But　she　had　not　had　the　chance。
　
　Maybe　if　she　had　touched　his　cheek；　he　would　have　remembered　the　spark　of　something；　maybe　remembered　the　tears　he　shed　the　day　she　left；　and　the　promises　he　had　made。　Promises　she　knew　the　moment　they　left　his　lips　would　be　broken　before　their　echo　faded；　so　long　ago。
　
　She　came　to　the　hall　that　led　to　the　novices’　apartments。　She　stood　looking　down　at　the　doors。　She　was　tired。　Sunup　to　sundown　in　the　stables　was　going　to　be　exhausting。　She　turned　the　other　way；　instead。　She　had　one　other　thing　to　do　before　she　slept。
　
　
　Pasha　came　to　a　stop　before　a　doorway　with　a　casing　of　stone；　carved　to　look　like　vines。　Nestled　in　the　center　of　the　stone　vines　was　a　large；　round…topped；　fumed　oak　door。
　
　Pasha　lifted　an　eyebrow　to　him。　‘Your　dungeon。’
　
　‘There’s　no　bolt　on　the　outside　of　the　door。　How　will　you　lock　me　in？’
　
　She　seemed　surprised　by　the　question。　‘We　don’t　lock　our　boys　in。　You’re　free　to　e　and　go　as　you　please。’
　
　Richard　frowned。　‘You　mean　I’m　free　to　roam　this　building？’
　
　‘No。　You’re　free　to　go　wherever　you　wish。　You　may　go　most　anywhere　in　the　palace；　or　into　the　city；　if　you　wish。　Most　of　the　boys　spend　a　great　deal　of　their　time　in　the　city。’
　
　Her　face　reddened　a　little　at　the　last　of　what　she　said；　and　she　looked　away　from　his　face。
　
　‘What　about　the　country　around　the　city？’
　
　She　shrugged；　and　then　pulled　the　shoulder　of　her　blue　dress　back　up　a　little。　‘Of　course。　I　don’t　know　why　you　would　want　to　go　into　the　countryside；　none　of　the　other　boys　do；　but　there’s　nothing　stopping　you　from　going　outside　either　the　palace　or　the　cit