按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
。 Other shops sold dried fish； or grain； or oils。
The farther he and the Sister went； the cleaner the city became。 The road widened； even the side streets were wider； and none had huts leaning against the buildings。 The shops had bigger windows with painted shutters； and better…looking wares； many displaying colorful； locally woven carpets。 By the time the wide road became lined with trees； the buildings were grand。 The inns looked elegant； with doormen standing in red uniforms before them。
On the stone bridge over the Kern； men were lighting lamps hung on poles to show the way in the gathering darkness。 In the river； below the bridge； fishermen in small boats with lanterns rowed through the dark water。 Soldiers in ornate uniforms with gold…trimmed white shirts and red tunics； and carrying polearms； patrolled each side of the river。 As the horses’ hooves clopped along the cobblestone； Sister Verna finally spoke。
‘It’s a great day； at the palace； when a new one with the gift arrives。’ She cast him a brief； sideways glance。 ‘It’s a rare and joyous event。 They will be happy to see you； Richard； please remember that。 To them； this is an event of note in their calling。 Though you feel differently； their hearts will be warmed by the sight of you。 They will want you to feel wele。’
Richard thought otherwise。 ‘Make your point。’
‘I just did。 They will be delighted。’
‘What you are saying； in other words； is you would like me not to horrify them right off。’
‘I didn’t say that。’ She glanced with a small frown at the soldiers guarding the bridge。 She finally looked back to him。 ‘I am simply asking you to realize that these women live for this very thing。’
Richard stared ahead as he rode past more guards in dress uniforms。 A wise person； a person I love； told me once that we all can only be who we are； no more； and no less。’ His gaze swept the top of the wall ahead； noting the soldiers there； and what arms they carried。 ‘I’m the bringer of death； and I have nothing to live for。’
‘That’s not true； Richard；’ she said in a quiet tone。 ‘You’re a young man； and you have much to live for。 You have a long life ahead of you。 And though you may have named yourself the bringer of death； I have seen you do nothing but strive to stop the killing。 Sometimes you will not listen； and make matters worse； but it’s through ignorance； not malice。’
‘Since you abhor lies； Sister； I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to pretend to feel other than I do。’
She sighed as they went through a huge gate in the thick； outer bailey wall； the horses’ hooves echoing inside the long； arched opening。 Beyond； the road meandered among low； spreading trees。 Windows in the buildings rising up all around were aglow with soft yellow light。 Many of the buildings were connected by covered colonnades； or enclosed halls with arched openings covered over with latticework。 Benches dotted the far side of the courtyard； against a wall with a frieze carved with figures on horses。
Through archways with white…painted gates； they came to the stables。 Horses browsed in a field beyond。 Boys dressed in neat livery； with black vests over tan shirts； came to hold the horses as he and the Sister dismounted。 Richard gave Bonnie’s neck a scratch and then started taking down his belongings。
Sister Verna brushed out the wrinkles in her divided riding skirt and straightened her light cloak。 She fussed at her curly hair。 ‘No need for that； Richard。 Someone will bring your things。’
‘No one touches my things but me；’ he said。
She sighed and shook her head； and then told the boy to have her things brought in。 He bowed to her； and then hooked a lead line on Jessup。 He gave a sharp snap on the line。 Jessup balked。
The boy brought a whip around on the Jessup’s rump。 ‘Move； you dumb beast！’
Jessup bellowed as he tried to yank his head away。
The next thing Richard knew； the boy was flying across the walkway。 He slammed up against a flimsy wooden wall and landed on his seat； as a glowering Sister Verna loomed over him。
‘Don’t you dare whip that horse！ What’s the matter with you？ How would you like it if I did that to you？’ In shock； the boy shook his head。 ‘If I ever hear of you whipping a horse again； you will be without a job； after I whip your skinny bottom。’
The wide…eyed lad gave a quick nod and apology。 Sister Verna glared a moment longer and then turned； whistling for her horse。 When Jessup trotted up； she scratched him under his chin； forting and calming him。 She led him inside to a stall and saw that he had water and hay。 Richard made sure she didn’t see his smile。
As they walked across the courtyard； she said； ‘Just remember； Richard； there isn’t a Sister here； or even a novice； who； while at the same time as she was yawning； couldn’t throw you across a room like that with her Han。’
Inside a wood…paneled hall with long yellow and blue carpets running under ornate side tables； three women waited。 They became all atwitter at the sight of Sister Verna。 Sister Verna was a head shorter than he； and none of these three women were as tall as she。 They smoothed their full； pastel skirts； and tugged at the white bodices。
‘Sister Verna！’ one cried out as the three rushed up。 ‘Oh； dear Sister Verna； it’s so good to see you at last。’
A tear or two ran down their rosy faces。 Their smiles looked about to burst their cheeks。 Each looked a good deal younger than Sister Verna。 She surveyed the big； wet eyes。
Sister Verna tenderly stroked the sniffling face before her。 ‘Sister Phoebe。’ She touched another’s hand。 ‘And Sister Amelia； and Sister Janet。 It’s so good to see you again。 It has been a long time indeed。’
The three giggled with excitement； at last posing themselves。 Sister Phoebe’s round face looked about； past Richard。
‘Where is he？ Why haven’t you brought him in with you？’
Sister Verna lifted her hand toward Richard。 This is he。 Richard； these are friends of mine。 Sisters Phoebe； Amelia； and Janet。’
The smiles transformed into astonished looks。 They bl