Wizard's First Rule - Terry Goodkind [283]
“Is it as powerful as Additive Magic?”
“Subtractive Magic is the counter to Additive. As night is to day. Yet it is all part of the same thing. The Magic of Orden is the magic of both. Additive and Subtractive. It can add to the world, and it can take the world to nothing. To open the boxes, you must be a master of both magics. People never worried about it ever happening, because no one was ever able to tap Subtractive Magic. But Darken Rahl commands it as easily as I command the Additive.”
“And how do you suppose that came to be?” Richard asked with a frown.
“I have no idea. But it troubles me greatly.”
Richard drew a deep breath. “Well, I still think you are getting worked up over nothing. All I did was a little trick.”
Zedd gave him a serious glare. “If done on a normal person, it would have been as you say. But I’m a wizard. I know how the Wizard’s Rules work. You would not have been able to do this to me, except with magic of your own. I have taught many to be wizards. I have had to teach them to do what you have done. They could not do it without learning it tirst. Once in a great while, one is born with the gift. I was one such as this. Richard, you have the gift too. Sooner or later you will have to learn to control it.” He put out his hand. “Now, give me the knife so I can rid myself of this ridiculous beard.”
Richard put the knife handle in Zedd’s hand. “The blade is dull. I’ve been digging roots with it. It’s too dull to shave with.”
“Really?” Zedd pinched the edge of the blade between his thumb and forefinger, drawing them along the length of the knife. He turned the knife around and held it delicately between his thumb and two fingers. Richard grimaced at him shaving dry. With a light stroke, a swath of beard fell away.
“You just used Subtractive Magic! You made some of the edge go away to sharpen it.”
Zedd arched an eyebrow. “No, I used what was already there, and re-formed the edge, making it sharp again.”
Richard shook his head and went about gathering up their things while Zedd shaved off the beard. Kahlan helped put things away.
“You know, Zedd,” Richard said as he picked up the bowls, “I think you’re getting too obstinate in your ways. I think when this is over, you need someone. Someone to take care of you, help keep your perspectives straight. Put the light of day to your imagination. I think you need a wife.”
“A wife?”
“Sure. I think that’s what you need. Maybe you should go back and take another look at Adie.”
“Adie?”
“Yes, Adie,” Richard scolded. “You remember Adie. The woman with one foot.”
“Oh, I remember Adie quite well.” He gave Richard his most innocent look. “But Adie has two good feet, not one.”
Richard and Kahlan both came to their feet in a rush. “What?”
“Yes,” Zedd smiled, turning away. “Seems it grew back.” He bent, pulling an apple from Richard’s pack. “Quite unexpectedly.”
Richard took Zedd’s sleeve and turned him around. “Zedd, you…”
The wizard smiled. “Are you thoroughly sure you wouldn’t like to be a wizard?” He took a bite of the apple, pleased at seeing the astonishment on Richard’s face. Zedd handed him the knife, the blade as sharp as he had ever seen it.
Richard shook his head and turned to his work. “I just want to go home and be a guide. Nothing more.” He thought awhile, then asked, “Zedd, all the time I grew up with you, you were a wizard and I never knew. You didn’t use the magic. How could you stand not to? Why didn’t you?”
“Ah, well, there are dangers to using the magic. Also, pain.”
“Dangers? Like what?”
Zedd regarded him for a moment. “You have used magic, with the sword. You tell me.”
“But that’s the sword, that’s different. What dangers are there for a wizard in using the magic? And what pain?”
Zedd gave a small, sly smile. “Only just finished with the first lesson, and already he is eager for the second.