"Richard.. I'm so sorry I made that letter sound threatening. I didn't mean to threaten you, I swear. I just wanted you to be safe. I'm so sorry if I hurt you."squeezed her a little tighter and kissed the top of her head. Kahlan wished she could just die in his arms. now. and not have to face her duty. not have to face the finality of the future, the finality of losing him. "How's your foot?" she asked. "My foot?"
"Cara said you hurt it on a chair."
"Oh. My foot is fine. The chair died, but I don't think it suffered." Against all odds, Kahlan laughed. She looked up through her tears into his gentle smile.
"All right. I think your hug has revived me. You can yell at me now." He kissed her instead. The feeling of being pulled up in his arms was rapture. Being in the sliph didn't even come close.
"So." he finally said. "what did our ancestors' spirits have to say?" "Our ancestors'.. how did you know that I went to the Mud People?" Richard's brow curved into a bewildered cast. "Kahlan, your face is all painted so the ancestors' spirits could see you in a gathering. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"touched her fingers to her forehead, to her cheek. "I was in such a hurry, I never even gave it any thought. No wonder people have been giving me such odd looks."she had raced through the palace looking for him. three different women on the staff had offered to draw her a bath. Everyone must have thought she had gone mad.'s expression turned serious as he settled his arms around her waist. "So, what did the ancestors' spirits have to say?"steeled herself. She tilted her head, indicating the bone knife on her arm. "Grandfather's spirit called me, through his bone knife. He had to speak with me. He told me that the plague isn't confined to Aydindril. It's spread all over the Midlands."tensed. "Do you think it's true?"
"Elder Breginderin had the tokens on his legs. He's probably dead by now. Some children reported that they saw a woman near the Mud People's village. She showed them something with colored light, just like what Lily told us she saw. One of those children has already died. Sister Amelia was there." "Dear spirits," Richard whispered.
"It gets worse. The spirit showed me other places I know in the Midlands. He said that the plague has spread to all these places, too. The spirit showed me what will be if the plague isn't stopped. Death will sweep the land. Few will survive.
"The spirit told me that magic stolen from the Temple of the Winds started the plague, but that the plague itself isn't magic. Jagang has used magic more powerful than he understands. If allowed to rage unchecked, the plague could eventually sweep into the Old World, too."
"Small consolation. Did the spirit say how Jagang stole this magic from the Temple of the Winds?"nodded as she looked away from his eyes. "You were right about the red moons. It was a warning that the Temple of the Winds had been violated."told him about the Hall of the Betrayer, and how Sister Amelia had been able to tread that path. Kahlan recounted the rest of her meeting with the spirit of Chandalen's grandfather, as best as she could remember it, including the part about the temple being at least partially sentient, as Richard had suspected.leaned an arm against the mantel as he stared into the fire. He pinched his lower lip as he listened patiently.told him how the spirit had told her that to stop the plague, they must get into the Temple of the Winds, how it existed in both worlds at the same time, and how both the good and the evil spirits were involved and had a say in this.
"And the ancestor's spirit could give you no indication how we were to get to the Temple of the Winds?"
"No," Kahlan said. "In fact, he wasn't interested in that part of it. He said that the temple would reveal what must be done. Shota said the same thing."in thought, Richard nodded while he considered her words. Kahlan twisted her fingers together while she waited.
"What about Shota?" he asked at last. "What happened with her?" Kahlan hesitated. She knew she had to tell him at least some of it, but she was reluctant to tell him all of what Shota had said. "Richard, I don't believe Shota was trying to cause trouble." He looked back over his shoulder. "She sends Nadine to marry me, and you don't think that kind of interference trouble?"cleared her throat into her fist. "Shota didn't send Nadine, exactly." Richard's hawklike gaze continued to fix on her, so she went on. "The message about the winds hunting you was not her idea. The Temple of the Winds was sending you a message, through her. just as it was sending you a message through that boy who died. Shota wasn't trying to harm us."'s brow lowered. "What else did the witch woman tell you?" Kahlan interlocked her fingers behind her back. She looked away from his penetrating glare.
"Richard, I went there to put an end to Shota's interference. I was prepared to kill her, if she threatened you or tried to harm me. I thought the worst of her. I did. I was convinced she was trying to harm us.
"I talked with her. Really talked. Shota isn't as.. malicious as I thought. She admitted she doesn't want us to have a child, but this isn't about trying to keep us apart.
"She has a talent for seeing the future, and she is only telling us what she sees- to try to help you. She's just the messenger in this. She's not directing these events. She said the same thing as the ancestor's spirit, that the plague was started by magic, and not of its own accord."three strides, Richard closed the distance between them. He seized her by the upper arm.
"She sent Nadine to marry me! She sent Nadine to keep us apart! She's trying to put a wedge between us, and you are taken in by her tricks?"backed away from him. "No, Richard, you have it wrong, as did I. The spirits sent you a bride. Shota was only able to influence who it would be. She used that influence so that the bride sent would be Nadine. Shota says she sees that you will marry this bride sent by the spirits, and so she wanted it to be someone you knew. She was only trying to ease your pain in this." "And you believe her? Have you lost your mind!" "Richard, you're hurting my arm."released her. "Sorry." he muttered, as he withdrew to the hearth. Kahlan could see the muscles in his jaw flexing as he ground his teeth.
"You said she told you the same as the ancestor's spirit. Do you remember her words?"tried frantically to separate what she knew she had to tell him from what she didn't want him to know. She realized how unwise it was to try to hide information from Richard, but she reasoned that if she had to. she could always tell him everything. If she could get away with withholding some of it. though..
"Shota said we have not heard the last message from the winds. She said we will receive one more, involving the moon." "Involving the moon? How?"
"I don't know. Just like the spirit, the 'how' didn't seem to be important to her. What she did say was that this message from the moon will be the 'consequential communion. as she called it. She said we must not ignore or dismiss it." "Did she, now. And did she say why. exactly?"
"She said our future-and the future of all those innocent people-will hinge on this event. She said it would be our only chance to carry out our duty to save the innocent lives of all those who depend upon us to do what they cannot."turned to her. It was like death itself rounding on her. His eyes had that look. like Drefan's. Like Darken Rahl's.
"She told you something else that you're holding back. What is it?" he growled. It wasn't Richard speaking, it was the Seeker. She knew in that instant why a Seeker was so feared: he was a law unto himself. Those gray eyes were looking right into her.
"Richard," she whispered, "please leave it at that." His glare cut to her soul. "What did she tell you?"swallowed as she panted with dread. She could feel hot tears coursing down her face.
"Shota saw the future." Kahlan heard herself speaking, even though she had intended to remain silent. "She saw that you will wed another. She used her influence to make it someone you knew." Under his glare, she found remaining silent impossible. "She could not influence who I am to wed. I will be married. too. It will not be you who becomes my husband."stood frozen for a moment, a boiling thunderhead gathering. He yanked the baldric off over his head and tossed it and the scabbard holding the sword on a chair.
"Richard, what are you doing?"then he was moving. He went for the door. Kahlan put herself in front of him. It was like stepping in front of an enraged mountain. "Richard, what are you going to do?"grasped her by the waist, picked her up. and set her aside as if she were no more than a child in his way. "I'm going to kill her." Kahlan threw her arms around his waist from behind, trying to drag him to a halt. It slowed him no more than if she had been a gnat. He was leaving his sword because he couldn't travel in the sliph with the magic of the Sword of Truth. "Richard! Richard, please, stop! If you love me, stop!" He halted and turned his wrathful glare on her. His voice came like a crack of thunder. "What?"
"Richard, do you think I'm stupid?" "Of course not."
"Then do you believe I want to marry someone else?" "No."
"Richard, you have to listen to me. Shota said she saw the future. She isn't making the future, she just saw it. She told me these things so that what she saw might help us."
"I've had all of the 'help' from Shota I intend to have. I'll have no more of it. She has taken one liberty too many. It will be her last."
"Richard, we have to figure out what to do. We have to do what we can to stop this plague. You saw those sick, dying children. The spirit of Chandalen's grandfather showed me countless other dead children-dead people of all sorts. That will be the future if you do this. Do you want those children and their parents to die because you refuse to use your head?"fist was gripping some sort of ornament on an elaborate necklace. She realized she had never seen it before.though he wasn't wearing his sword, its magic drove him. He was a cauldron of lethal rage. Death was dancing in his eyes.
"I don't care what Shota says, I'll not marry Nadine. Nor will I stand by while you-"
"I know," she whispered. "Richard, I know how you feel. How do you think this makes me feel? But use your head. This is not the way to change what Shota says. You always said before that the future is not yet decided, and that we couldn't act on what Shota says. You always said that we couldn't allow ourselves to put our faith in what she says, and let it direct our actions." His eyes shone with deadly wrath. "You believe her."took a calming breath, trying to regain her composure. "I believe she saw the future. Richard, don't you remember how she also said that I would touch you with my power? Look at how that turned out. She was right, but it wasn't the calamitous event I feared. It was what brought us together, and allowed us to have our love."
"How can your marrying someone else turn out good?" Kahlan abruptly realized what this was really about: he was jealous. She had never seen him this jealous before. But that's what it was-a jealous rage.
"I would be lying if I told you I knew." Kahlan gripped his broad shoulders. "Richard, I love you, and that's the truth. I could never love anyone else. You believe me, don't you? I trust in your love for me, and I know that you don't love Nadine. Don't you believe in me? Don't you trust me?"visibly cooled. "Of course I do. I do trust you." Frustration replaced the rage in his eyes. He released the amulet in his fist. "But-"
"But nothing. We love each other, and that's all there is to it. Whatever happens, we have to believe in each other. If we don't believe in each other, then we are lost in this."last, he pulled her into his arms. She knew his anguish. She felt it, too. Hers, though, was worse, because she didn't believe there was a way out of Shota's prediction.lifted the strange amulet at his neck. In the center, surrounded by a complex of gold and silver lines, was a teardrop-shaped ruby as big as her thumbnail. "Richard, what is this? Where did you get it?"lifted the gold and silver object from her fingers to peer down at it. "It's a symbol, like the others I wear. I found it in the Keep." "In the First Wizard's enclave?"
"Yes. It was part of this outfit, but unlike the rest of it. this was left in the First Wizard's enclave. The man who wore it was the First Wizard in Kolo's time. His name was Baraccus."
"Cara told me that you found the record of the trial. What did it look like in there?"stared off. "It was.. beautiful. I didn't want to leave." "Have you found out anything from the book yet?"
"No. It's in High D'Haran. Berdine is working on Kolo's journal; I'll work on this one. I've only had an hour or so to start translating it. I haven't really done much yet: I was too worried about you to be able to think about anything else."touched the amulet hanging around his neck. "Do you know what this symbol represents?"
"Yes. The ruby is meant to represent a drop of blood. It is the symbolic representation of the way of the primary edict." "The primary edict?"voice turned distant, as if speaking to himself more than to her. "It means only one thing, and everything: cut. Once committed to fight, cut. Everything else is secondary. Cut. That is your duty, your purpose, your hunger. There is no rule more important, no commitment that overrides that one. Cut." His words chilled her to the bone as he went on.
' The lines are a portrayal of the dance. Cut from the void, not from bewilderment. Cut the enemy as quickly and directly as possible. Cut with certainty. Cut decisively, resolutely. Cut into his strength. Flow through the gaps in his guard. Cut him. Cut him down utterly. Don't allow him a breath. Crush him. Cut him without mercy to the depths of his spirit.
"It is the balance to life: death. It is the dance with death. "It is the law a war wizard lives by. or he dies."49sat curled up in a chair, sewing the hem of a new dress Nathan had bought for her. He had wanted to let the seamstress do the work, but she had insisted on doing it herself, mostly to have something to do. Nathan had smiled and told her that if it would please her, then it was all right with him. She didn't know what she would do with all the dresses he kept buying for her. She had told him to stop, but he just kept doing it.returned from the door, having had a long discussion with a soldier named Bollesdun about the movements of Jagang's expeditionary force. They were the men who had attacked her home of Renwold, Clarissa had learned. She tried not to listen to Nathan's talks with his soldier friends who showed up from time to time.didn't like to think about the nightmare of Renwold. Nathan told her that he wanted to end the killing, so there would be no more Renwolds. He called it a waste of life.touched Nathan's leg when he came close. "Is there anything I can do to help?"blue eyes turned toward her, watching her for a long moment. "No, not yet. I must write a letter. I'm expecting someone soon. Don't go into the bedroom to answer the door when they come. Stay in here. I don't want them to get a look at you. You don't have magic, so they won't know you're in here."caught the tone of disquiet in his voice. "Do you think they will cause trouble? They won't try to hurt you, will they?"sly smile took his face. "That would be the last mistake they ever made. I've laid so many traps around this place that the Keeper himself wouldn't dare to try to take me here." He winked at her, as if to reassure her. "Watch through the keyhole, if you wish. It may be good for you to remember the faces of these people. They're dangerous."stomach churning with anxiety, Clarissa began embroidering little vines and leaves along the hem of the dress, because she thought they would be pretty, and to pass the time while Nathan wrote his letter. When he finished, he clasped his hands behind his back and paced.the knock finally came, he looked toward the bedroom, where stood the door to the hall. He turned to her and crossed his lips with a finger. Clarissa nodded. He shut the door to the sitting room as he went to answer the knock. She set aside her needlework and knelt at the door to peek through the keyhole.had a good view of the hall door as Nathan pulled it open. Two attractive women, about Clarissa's age, stood in the hall. Two young men waited behind them. The scowls on the women could have cut stone.was astonished to see that each woman had a small gold ring through her lower lip, as did Clarissa.
"Well. well." one of the women said contemptuously, "if it isn't the prophet himself. We thought it was probably you. Nathan, messing about in things that aren't your business."grinned as he bowed dramatically from the waist. "Sister Jodelle. Sister Willamina. How nice to see you again. And that's Lord Rahl. Even to you, Sister Jodelle."
"Lord Rahl." Sister Jodelle said in a flat. mocking voice. "So we've heard." Nathan waggled his fingers in greeting to the two young men standing out in the hall behind the two women. "Vincent, Pierce, how good to see you two boy wizards again. Still trying to master prophecy, are you? Come for some advice? Maybe a lesson?"
"In a little over your head, aren't you. old man?" one of the young men asked. Nathan's amusement vanished. He flicked his finger. The young man cried out and dropped to the floor.
"I told you. Pierce, it's Lord Rahl." Nathan's voice turned as deadly as Clarissa had ever heard it. "Don't test me again."Willamina scowled back at Pierce, whispering a harsh admonishment as he staggered to his feet.held his arm out in invitation. "Won't you ladies please come in? Bring your boys, too."didn't think they really looked like boys. as Nathan called them. She thought they looked to be in their late twenties, at least. The four warily stepped inside and stood in a bunch, hands clasped before them. while Nathan shut the door.
"Pretty risky, Na… Lord Rahl, to let the four of us get this close," Sister Jodelle said. "I wouldn't think you would be this careless, now that you've somehow convinced some feeble-minded Sister to take pity on you and remove your Rada'Han."slapped his knee and howled with laughter. None of the other four so much as cracked a smile.
"Risky?" he asked, as his fit of laughter died out. "Why, what have I to fear from the likes of you four? And I'll have you know that I took off the Rada'Han by myself. I think it only fair to tell you that while you foolishly chose to view me as a crazy old man, I was studying things you can't even fathom. While all of you Sisters-"
"Get to the point," Sister Jodelle growled.held up a finger. "The point is, my fine people, that I have no ill will toward you or your leader, but I can weave webs you couldn't even understand, much less defend against, should you wish me harm. For example. I'm sure you detect the simple shields I've placed here and there, but there is more. hidden beyond those things you sense. Should you-"Jodelle lost her patience and cut him off again. "We didn't come here to listen to the babble of a doddering old man. Do you think us stupid? We detected the pathetic magic you have so proudly laced about this place, and I can tell you with confidence there's not a bit of it that one of us alone couldn't slice apart with ease. while at the same time enjoying a bowl of soup!" Vincent shoved the two Sisters aside. "I've heard just about enough from this dried-up old jackass. He always was full of himself. It's about time he learned just who he's dealing with!"made no move to defend himself as Vincent lifted his hands. Clarissa's eyes went wide in fright as the young man's fingers curled and his face twisted with hate. Clarissa covered her mouth in terror as light shot from Vincent's hands toward Nathan.brief whine sang through the air. The light from the young man scattered. There was a thump that Clarissa could feel in the floor as light flared through the other room.the sound and light cleared, Vincent was gone.the floor, where he had stood, Clarissa could see a small pile of white ash. Nathan went to the wall and retrieved a broom leaned there, just behind a curtain. He opened the door and swept the ash out through the door into the hall.
"Thank you for coming, Vincent. Sorry you have to leave now. Let me show you out."a flourish, Nathan swept the last of the ash out into the hall, creating a small cloud as he did so. He shut the door and turned back to the gaping gazes of the three people left.
"Now, as I was saying, you will be making the last mistake of your lives if you underestimate me or what it is you think me capable of. Your negligible intellects couldn't even understand it if I showed it to you." Nathan's brow drew down in a way that frightened even Clarissa. "Now, show proper respect and bow to the Lord Rahl.", the three people bowed, each touching a knee to the floor. "What is it you want?" Sister Jodelle asked after she had straightened. Her voice had lost some of its edge. "You can tell Jagang that I'm interested in peace."
"Peace?" Sister Jodelle fussed back some of her dark hair. "What position are you in that you could make such an offer?"lifted his chin. "I am Lord Rahl. I will soon be Master of D'Hara. I will be in command of the New World. I believe it is a war with the New World in which Jagang is embroiled."Jodelle's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, you are soon to be the Master of D'Hara?"
"Just tell Jagang that his daring plan is about to be successfully completed; he will soon have eliminated the present Lord Rahl. Jagang has made a mistake, though. He forgot about me."
"But.. but —. " Sister Jodelle sputtered, "you aren't the Lord Rahl." Nathan leaned toward them with a sly smile. "If Jagang succeeds, which as a prophet I can foresee he will, then I will be the Lord Rahl. I am a Rahl, born with the gift. All D'Harans will become bonded to me. As you know, that bond will prevent the dream walker from using his talent to take the New World.
"Jagang has made a mistake." Nathan thunked Pierce on the head. "He's been using amateur prophets, like this witless tadpole." Pierce turned red. "I'm no amateur prophet!"regarded him with a look of contempt. "Really? Then why didn't you warn Jagang that by using prophecy to eliminate Richard Rahl, it would get him nowhere but into a worse predicament, because it would leave me to become the Lord Rahl, Master of D'Hara and most of the major powers in the New World?you warn him about that result? While Richard may be determined, he knows next to nothing about magic, whereas I know a great deal about it. A very great deal."lowered over Pierce. "Just ask Vincent. A real prophet would have realized the danger lurking behind my simple shields, waiting to be triggered if anyone attacked. Did you?"Willamina put out an arm. forcing Pierce back. and just in time. it appeared to Clarissa, as Nathan looked to be about to make another pile of white dust. "What is it you want. Lord Rahl?" she asked.
"Jagang can either listen to my terms, or he can have really big trouble on his hands. Trouble a lot worse than Richard Rahl." "Terms?" Sister Jodelle drew the word out suspiciously. "The present Lord Rahl is young and idealistic: he would never surrender to Jagang. I, on the other hand, am older and wiser. I know the foolishness of a war that would take the lives of countless people. And to what purpose? Just for the right to put a name to the one who is the leader?
"Richard is a young fool who doesn't know how to use his power. I am not a young fool, and, as you saw, I know how to use my gift. I'm willing to entertain the possibility of letting Jagang rule the New World as he wishes." "And in return?"casually flicked his hand. "I simply want some of the spoils for myself- in return for my assistance. I will have the rule of D'Hara. Under his leadership, of course. I will be his man, running the affairs of D'Hara. Other than Jagang, no one will outrank me. Quite fair I think."young Pierce was still white as a sheet, and trying to look invisible behind the two women. The two Sisters, on the other hand, were looking suddenly a lot less unhappy. They wore small, interested smiles. "How would Jagang know that you could be trusted?"
"Trusted? Does he think I'm as stupid as the young Lord Rahl leading the New World right now? I saw what was done to Renwold. If I didn't rule D'Hara as Jagang wished, allowing him generous tribute, he might come in and try to crush us. Wars are expensive. I'd rather have the wealth for myself."Jodelle smiled politely. "And in the meantime? How do we know you really mean this?"
"So. it's assurance you want?" Nathan rubbed his chin as he stared up at the ceiling. "There is a D'Haran army, of close to a hundred thousand men. north of here. You'll never find them without my help, until they descend on Jagang's expeditionary force. When Jagang finishes eliminating the present Lord Rahl, then this army's bond will transfer to me. They will be loyal to me. As soon as that happens. I will surrender that army to his, giving him even more men at arms. D'Harans have a long tradition of warring for plunder. They'll fit right in with Jagang's force."
"Surrender an army," Sister Jodelle said in a reflective tone. "You see, my kind Sisters, Jagang is trying to use prophecy to win this war. In that. he has made a mistake; he is using wizards who are not real prophets. I could provide the expert service of a real prophet. His alternative is to have a real prophet as his enemy, and amateurs to aid him. The aid of amateurs is what got him into this.. predicament, don't you see? "For a small, insignificant slice of the spoils. I can get him out of it. I'm sure you can understand that after all those years under the care of you fine Sisters, I'd like to spend my few remaining years enjoying the pleasures of life.
"With my help, there will be no more resistance from the New World than that offered by Renwold. If Jagang should choose to be unreasonable, well, who knows, with a real prophet on the side of the New World, they might even win." Sister Jodelle studied Nathan's eyes. "Yes. I see what you mean." Nathan held out his letter. "Here. Give this to Jagang. It explains my proposal and terms, in return for my surrender of the New World. As I said. I'm sure he will find me much more reasonable than the present Lord Rahl; I know that there is no profit in war. One leader or another, it means little. Why should hundreds of thousands of people die over the name put to that leader?"Sisters glanced around the luxurious room and smiled conspiratorially at Nathan.
"Why, you crafty old man," Sister Jodelle said. "And here, all this time, we thought you were just an old fool, living out your life down in your apartments. Well, Lord Rahl, we will pass your words along to Emperor Jagang. I think he will find them most interesting. Had the present Lord Rahl been so reasonable, he wouldn't be in his present, fatal difficulties." "All those years do give a man time to think."Jodelle turned back from the door. "I can't speak for the emperor, Lord Rahl, but I think he will be most pleased with this news. I think we can dare to see the end to this war, and the victory that will result in Jagang being the name put to the leader of all people."
"I just want the killing to stop. It would profit us all. Sister. Oh, and tell Jagang that I am sorry about Vincent, but the boy wasn't really serving him well, anyway." Sister Jodelle shrugged. "You're right, Lord Rahl, he wasn't."50ran his fingers through his hair as he rested his forehead in his palms. He looked up when he heard someone enter the room. It was Kahlan.heart lifted at her smile, her bright green eyes. the lush fall of her thick hair, at how beautiful she was. He marveled at her beauty, and that she loved him.safety he felt in that love was something he had never imagined he would feel. He had always imagined being in love with someone, but he had never imagined the feeling of security and peace it would bring to his soul. If Shota ever did anything to harm that security..carried a steaming bowl of soup. "I thought you might like something to eat. You've been at this for a hand of days now: I think you need to get more sleep, too."glanced at the big white bowl in her hands. "Thanks." Her brow wrinkled. "Richard, what's wrong? Your face is white as ashes." He leaned back in his chair and sighed. "I feel a little sick." She turned white as ashes, too. "Sick. Richard, it isn't-" "No, it's not that. It's this book on the Temple of the Winds inquisition and trial. I almost wish I'd never found it."leaned over as she set down the bowl. "Here. Eat some of this." "What is it?" Richard asked, as he watched the lush curve of her cleavage rise and fall above the square neckline of her white Confessor's dress. "Lentil porridge. Eat some. What have you found out?" Richard sucked in through his mouth to cool the spoonful of porridge. "I haven't translated much yet, it's taking forever, but from just the little bit I've been able to figure out. these people, these wizards.. they.. they executed all the wizards who sent away the Temple of the Winds. The temple team. they called them. Almost a hundred men." He pulled a finger across his throat.sat on the edge of the table opposite him. "What did they do to warrant death?"stirred the porridge. "Well, for one thing, they left a way into the Temple of the Winds, as they were directed to do. but they made it so hard to get back into the temple that when these people wanted to get back in to retrieve some magic, in order to fight the war, they couldn't."
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