Pride&Destiny - Chapter 6
Author: chickinwhite
Pairing: Kahlan/Cara
Rating: PG 17
Word account: 5500
Summary: End of Season 1 - And the beginning of an unexpected future for two sworn enemies, who have to learn to have faith in each other while trying to survive in a hostile world...
Disclaimer: Nothing of LotS belongs to me (such a pity!) - no business, just fan-fun
AN: Sometimes it is just a tiny little detail that holds sway over your fate... Remember Reckoning? Cara struck Richard, who was sitting close to the edge... Well, I asked myself how things would have turned out if not Richard but Kahlan had sit first in her way when Cara arrived...
AN2: I hope you all had some very awesome holidays. And I´m wishing for you a wonderful and hopefully peaceful new year 2015!!!
Previously: Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5
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It was in their third week together that Cara heard the sound for the first time.
They had set-up camp in a small valley, where a little creek offered fresh water and a tiny pond allowed them to take a short bath, which was cold and freezing of course, but refreshed them in every manner. Haron had stood watch while Kahlan had taken off her clothes and sat down in the shallow stream, naked, her back to Cara, who knew the Confessor didn´t go well with her ogling her. She had admonished her a few times when she had found the blonde´s eyes on her. But she watched nonetheless. And why would she not? Kahlan was a beautiful woman. It was a pleasure to watch her skin shimmering with drops of water splashed over her body, when the last sun rays that fell through the leaves around the pond, put a faint gold to all the tiny freckles. Her moves were slow and almost tender as she rubbed the dust off; and when she dunked into the water to emerge again with her face lifted and an expression of... peace and relaxation playing on her features, while her wet hair cascaded in thick curls over her back, Cara felt something pulling in her insides.
Kahlan was beautiful.
There was nothing she should be ashamed of.
Cara herself, had no such restraints. She undressed, if Haron was in sight or not and stepped into the water, cleaning herself with pliable motions, and on the rare occasions when she shot a short glance over her shoulders, she grinned, seeing Kahlan´s brief glance before she was able to avert her eyes from the blonde. It never ceased to amuse her to see the Confessor´s cheeks turning a faint pink when she caught her...
On this particular evening Cara had lay down earlier, intending to take the watch from Haron who clearly was in need for a rest after having watched over them for the whole week; only sleeping in the morning when the women prepared for leaving.
But sleep didn´t come. Instead a sound came to her that was reminding her of dungeons and painful agony.
A breathing that hitched, that was choked but couldn´t be suppressed. A sob. And then another.
Cara listened for a while, furrowing her brows; and then shifted carefully and lifted her eyes to see Kahlan sitting at the small fire. She had her knees drawn to her chest and her face buried in her bent arms, choking the little sounds that came from her weeping. Her shoulders were slightly trembling.
“Are you alright, Confessor?”
The brunette winced a little as she heard Cara asking. Breathing deeply in and out she nodded. Though her head didn´t lift. Only when she heard Cara standing and walking closer she looked up and Cara saw her eyes shining red and swollen, while she tried to wipe the tears away that came rolling down her cheeks.
“Why the tears? Are you hurt?” Cara watched her closely, trying to find out if there was pain in her features.
Once more Kahlan wiped at her cheeks and shook her head, trying a small smile - and sadly failed.
“No, I´m … I just thought you were asleep and... “ She paused and rubbed her palms over her face.
“Everything is fine. Thank you for asking...”
Cara raised her brow and stepped closer, pointing at her with an accusatory finger.
“Nothing is fine, Confessor. You are sitting alone in the night and you are weeping... What happened?”
Kahlan sighed. Already assuming the blonde would not simply let her go.
“I just... I … I am feeling... alone. Forlorn. I miss Richard and Zedd. I miss their laughter. The warmth I felt when they were around...”
For a long moment Cara looked down at her and tried to comprehend. During the last weeks she had learned that Kahlan was drawn by emotions she didn´t always fully understand. Though, even while she could not say that she appreciated that soft side of the woman; not knowing why, or how, Cara felt prompted to put an end to her sadness. She rolled her eyes but it did nothing to help that feeling.
So, a little awkwardly she pulled her blanket around her shoulders and sat down beside Kahlan, staring into the flames as the Confessor did and chewing on her lower lip. As if debating something with herself.
Kahlan stiffened and sent her a brief, confused side-glance.
A few heartbeats later, none of them had said another word, Cara shifted again, turning towards the Confessor and putting the blanket over Kahlan´s back and shoulder, taking care that they both sat under the warming touch of the thick wool. She shrugged as she met Kahlan´s astonished eyes.
“I am not them. But I am here...”
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„Be patient, Cara. Do not hurry into a fight when no fight is needed.“
Kahlan gave Cara the look. The one that had admonished her like a hundred times these last weeks.
And it led inevitably to the expected eye-roll from the blonde. Cara huffed annoyed and watched Kahlan grin at the sound.
They had been on the road for almost five weeks now. And they had learned a few things about the Young Leaders; like that they were deployed in larger villages only, not less than 25 houses at least, but sent their men out to control even the small piles of huts that were found in their surroundings. And that, sometimes, they couldn´t get through to the Young Leader without a fight.
Much to Cara´s pleasure...
This was their 8th visit to a village since Kahlan had confessed the redhead Kyle to safe Cara. Since then they had been riding, though into the general direction of the People´s Palace, forgoing the Plains, never leaving the backing of the mountains completely- which had caused Cara more than a few times to complain that they´d grow old and weak until they´d face the Lord Rahl and get their revenge -; all while taking every opportunity for a sidestep into one of the villages to free people from the rules of a Young Leader they were forced to bear.
Though, the first two „visits“ had been somewhat complicated.
Kahlan, used to seek for the way that caused the least damage, had come up with a plan to get to the Young Leader without being caught before she could confess him. She had suggested to go straight to the main building and pretend that they were following Rahl´s orders, that strangers had to be registered when entering a village. They should appear like siblings, searching for their father who had been taken away from his family. Innocently pretending they believed in the rightness of the political system...Until they stood before the YL and Kahlan got to get her hand wrapped around his throat.
Though, Cara, used to seek the shortest way to success and to not accept any sort of resistance, had not been able to stand the very first harsh question of a guard, adumbrating that women were not allowed to travel and he would see to it that they would be punished for their shameful behavior. She was quickly striking her agiel across his face and immediately finding herself being involved in a fight that caused much more noise and trouble than Kahlan could have wished for.
They had fought their way to the YL anyway, but it had been a bloody way after all. Confessing the boy, who had been taken by surprise that anyone dared to fight his guards and to reach him, the more so as he recognized two women and only one man were his opponents, had been an easy thing. And at least there had been no guards left to question his new orders; which were to free the people from the dungeons, who had been imprisoned for sheer nothing; to take back the privileges from snitchers; to open the store houses and feed the people and grant them justice and peace; in short: turning every bill, he had passed in the name of Rahl, upside down...
Like Kyle before, Kahlan had ordered him to stay in the village and live there in the service of his people. He should not tell anyone about her visit, nor about her person or the Mord Sith. No one should know they had been there!
After only one candle mark they had been out of the village again.
Kahlan had seethed when they had left. They had ridden in silence, but the air between them had been filled with arguments they didn´t speak out loud. Cara had kept her expression as sullen as Kahlan had ever seen one, while she herself wore her Confessor mask with her jaw set and didn´t show what she felt inside.
Haron had seen that he stayed close to his Mistress, feeling uncomfortable with their heavy silence and fearing that the blonde would jump on her in a sudden outburst of anger.
When they had made up their camp for the night, Kahlan had felt finally like she had calmed down enough to talk to the blonde without yelling at her. Haron had been ordered to sleep for a few hours, so he would be refreshed for the night watch when the two women were ready to settle for the night.
The blonde sat at the fire, staring at the low crackling flames, and obviously in deep thoughts when she heard Kahlan sighing as she sat down opposite to her.
She looked up at the Confessor with defiant eyes.
„Now, is this the moment you finally find your voice again?“ she grunted angrily. She had known that this moment had to come, and she knew the Confessor was about to accuse her for things Cara had done, because they had to be done...
The Confessor should be grateful she had agreed to her plans anyway. As she saw it, it was a wasting of time!
Grave blue eyes locked with sparkling green ones. Kahlan pursed her lips, thinking about the words before she let them out.
“Cara...” her voice was low and gentle, which made the Mord Sith narrow her eyes suspiciously.
“I think we should clarify things between us, if we are going to travel together all the way to the People´s Palace.”
The blonde chewed on her lower lip, but otherwise didn´t react.
“First of all things, I really hope you do not only see the enemy in me any longer. We will not succeed if we are waiting for each other to stab in our backs at night. We will need to trust each other, if we are going to fight the new Lord Rahl.
So, that is the most important question I have.” Kahlan lent in to be sure she wouldn´t miss Cara´s reaction.
“Can I trust you, Cara?” She saw a frown on her forehead blossoming and continued, with more urge in her voice.
“Are we in this together? And... can I trust that you will not just vanish when things are getting... difficult?”
The frown grew.
“I need to know that, Cara. I need to know that you are on my side. That I can rely on you. Because, if not... “ She sat back and Cara saw a slight shadow running over her features. “well, we should stop this thing right here and now, before we are going to fight each other. I´m tired of fighting you. But sooner or later we will go there again, if we can´t handle our differences...”
The blonde still didn´t say a word. But, though Kahlan was aware that she couldn´t read a Mord Sith, she acknowledged the slight change in her expressions. Where she had seen defiance and anger before, there was now a brow rising, that stood more for surprise than for anger. And a small smirk replaced the tight-lipped set of jaw as Cara nodded slowly.
“As you can see? I´m here, Confessor. And though I think your plan is stupid, you have my word I won´t leave without letting you know when; and why. And for as long as I´ll stay, I will fight at your side for our goal.” she paused, while the smirk grew into a mischievous grin.
“But, you can´t read a Mord Sith. That´s a well known fact, Confessor. So, how can you be sure I´m not cheating on you?”
Kahlan shrugged, breathing deeply in and out, and the glance she gave her was full with vulnerability and yet, determination.
“I can´t. But... I´ve lost everything. I am alone in this world. Trusting you is the closest thing to amity that I will probably find here. Maybe it´s just that. I want to trust you, because I do not want to lose that last bit of confidence...”
The smile on her lips was a sad one and it made Cara squirm a little.
But before she was able to name that strange tug on her inside, Kahlan straightened and smirked in turn now.
“So, now that we have cleared that up -“ Her brow rose reproachfully, “What, in the name of the Creator, did you think you were doing when you attacked these guys today?? Haven´t I´ve been clear about our plan?”
Her sudden change to accusation caught Cara by surprise, though she felt her anger fueled immediately, her voice rising as she retorted:
“Your plan... is a load of crap, Confessor! How do you think we should have made it through the guards, when they are ordered to admit no one? Do you really think these guys are just waiting for a few women to take their leader down? This world does not work like that. It is ruled by cruelty and recklessness.
I can assure you, that the house of Rahl has never allowed to be tricked that easily. And as far as we have learned about the new Lord Rahl? He is not someone to deploy fools as Young Leaders. And with the two of us? “Women are not allowed to travel..:”? I will not! Lick their boots for their insults!”
Kahlan sighed. This was exactly what she had expected. This Mord Sith was stubborn to the bones and wore her honor and her pride like soldiers wore their shields. It was not that she was not able to suppress her anger, she just didn´t want to see the reason why. Especially when it came to her honor.
The brunette raised her hands in an annoyed gesture.
“So how do you suggest we get to the next boy I´ll have to confess? Should we burn the whole village down to safe it? Don´t you think a little less drama would serve our plans better? Beside - if we are causing too much trouble, making too much noise on our way, rumor might run away and reach our enemy before we do... I do not think this would work in our favor.”
Cara thought for a moment, wondering how this woman was able to reprimand her and get away with it...
What she said made sense. Well, as much as this whole plan could make sense at all. But...- she rolled her eyes - she had agreed to it...
“I will not lick their boots...” she growled peevishly.
“Of course not! All I ask from you, is to try to avoid fights and trouble if possible. Will you do that?” Kahlan smiled at her and Cara wondered again what kind of magic this smile was made of, for she felt as if it crawled under her skin and rubbed her anger off.
Looking at these lips, curled into a wide and warm smile that even reached her eyes, Cara finally nodded slowly and met her gaze with defiant glance.
“I will strike only if necessary. But IF necessary, you will have to deal with my decision, like it or not!”
...Stubborn woman! - Kahlan thought, but couldn´t help a contend sigh.
“Deal.”
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Though, only three days later, things went much the same as before, and Kahlan was seething again when they left the village.
On this evening she didn´t seek to talk with Cara, but went to sleep without a word. The Mord Sith watched her from the corner of her eyes, feeling her own anger eating her away, though having no idea why it bothered her at all, that the Confessor ignored her.
She barked at Haron a few times, who warily saw to it, that she didn´t get too close to his sleeping Mistress. Though when he didn´t offer her a reason to beat him, she huffed noisily and stomped off into the woods to go for a hunt.
With the first sunlight she returned, finding Kahlan, who had already packed her things up, sitting at the dying fire. She looked up and seemed honestly surprised to see Cara returning.
“You are back.”
And since the blonde didn´t answer, she dropped the subject and stood, hiding the tiny smile that tugged at the corner of her lips while she turned towards the horses, which Haron had already fed and brought back from the small stream nearby.
Only when she had mounted her steed, she turned around to glance at the Mord Sith with a shy smile.
“I´m glad you´re back.”
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Cara pursed her lips as she rode behind Kahlan into the village, abstractedly studying the smoothly swaying back of the Confessor. The look the woman had given her had been admonishing, but by now she knew it was meant more as a plea than an order. During their journey, the Confessor had already learned that she wasn´t to be ordered. So, now the brunette tended to ask her instead of ordering; mostly with a gentle smile, sometimes with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. She suggested instead of demanding. And much too often Cara had a strong feeling of being cheated into decisions she would not have supported in other times.
She would not fuss over things, but secretly the Mord Sith kept an account of Kahlan´s small victories, and every now and then she would suggest something smarter than the Confessor´s idea was, sometimes it was just a tiny break of their routine, like hunting first and doing the camp-building later, if only to remind the brunette that she too had still a saying in their journey.
But her anger, that had driven her ever since she had learned about her sisters´fate, had calmed down. During that night in the woods, when she had been running away from Kahlan´s silent approach and her disappointment, she had recognized, that this strong feeling of anger was already starting to rule her. Fanning the flame of her hate into a blinding heat more than serving her. So, Cara had made a decision.
She had isolated it and watched it for most of the night, had turned it upside down and at least, she had locked it away, from now on feeding it only on rare occasions, when she stared up to the sparkling stars in sleepless nights. Not wanting to forget why she was on this journey with a woman at her side she would have killed not long ago, without thinking about it.
Sometimes she would shift then, staring at the sleeping form of the Confessor and wondering if she´d still be able to kill her if need be.
They rode in silence. The air held a chill that boldly licked at Kahlan´s face as she pulled her cape tighter around her shoulder and her hood deeper into her face. Winter was foreboding, and though they had left the mountain ranges of the Boundary, separating the Midlands from D´Hara, behind and headed to the open fields of the Azrith Plains, the cold breath of the northern winds had become angry and biting, and forced them to stay close to the foothills. But, as it was, they were deep into D´Haran territory already.
The villages in this area behind the former boundary were more comfortable, the people held their heads a bit higher then in the areas on both sides near the mountains. The Young Leaders didn´t seem to be as brutally dominating as they had felt they were in the villages along the border to the Midlands, where they had come from. Cara had explained to Kahlan, that it was rooted in their history. D´Hara had always respected the leadership of the Rahl house, and in general felt more at ease with its brutal force. Because it was seen as a sign of a strong leadership, that led to safety and prosperity. And though their life had become a lot harder since they were reined by Young Leaders, most of them accepted their rules without questions.
The village they were about to enter was a larger one. It´s name was Oakfell. It seemed to be a trading center along the main road to the People´s Palace and Kahlan quickly assumed that corruption and generous donations towards the Leaders had made sure that the merchants were able to live their lives extensively unmolested. The air wasn´t as thick as she had felt it weighing on her shoulders in other villages, where fear and distrust had hung heavily in the streets. People were walking in the streets, laughter was heard and merchants were praising their goods noisily. A few children ran behind some chicken and in a group of three a woman was complaining loudly about the price for a new dress she had bought.
As usual it was Haron who led their little band, the two women riding close behind him, as it seemed to behoove them in the eyes of the guards. Nevertheless Kahlan felt curious eyes following their way as they rode to the main building. When they reached the house, the Confessor hesitated. Haron looked back at her, expecting her orders, but Kahlan didn´t move to dismount her horse.
The Mord Sith closed the gap between them. Her long braid hanging loosely over her shoulder under the hood she had pulled into her face, much the same as Kahlan had. It had taken some arguing before the blonde had agreed to accept a cloak whenever they neared a village. But, being called an ostentatious person, wrapped tightly into red leather and moving like a smug cat, and after all the complete contrary of being inconspicuous, finally she had taken the cloak, not without huffing as she swung it over her shoulder.
Her breath swept along Kahlan´s cheeks as she now leaned in.
“What is it, Kahlan?”
“I´m not sure. This village is different from those we´ve seen before. People! are different...”
Covertly shooting glares around to find out what the woman was speaking of, Cara finally nodded slowly.
“You are right. This is a wealthy small town wrapped in complete satisfaction. No one here is suffering from their Leaders. I can´t smell the foul breath of angst anywhere near...”
Kahlan chewed on her lips. They couldn´t stay any longer at this place in front of their Leader´s office without gaining attention.
“Haron, we´re leaving” she murmured, just as two people came down the stairs that led to the first floor. The tall man nodded and reined his horse, intending to revolve.
Kahlan had already turned her beast round and looked over her shoulder to see if Haron was following her orders, when the sudden sound of an astonished call made her blood freeze.
“Haron??”
One of the two men who just descended the stairs, a mountain of a man, suited like Kahlan remembered the dragon corps had been dressed in former times, with his helmet in hands and thick, curly brown hair, seemed to suddenly burst into excitement as he jumped down the stairs and laughed loudly, approaching the confessed man with a wide grin that showed a line of perfectly white teeth.
“Now, who would believe that? HARON!! Damned rapscallion! Where the heck have you been, all the time? We thought you´re dead!”
A side-glance to Cara proved to Kahlan that the blonde was ready to fight, but giving her a firm look she laid a hand on her forearm and sent Haron, who stared at her wide-eyed, a brief nod to play along.
The tall man tried a grin, which came out more as a grimace as he looked the guy over. His voice was trembling ever so slightly. He knew this was a ticklish moment, and his only thought was to get Kahlan out of here; though, the man had reached him and clapped a large hand in a thick glove, covered with shining metal on the back of the hand, to his leg.
“I´ll be jiggered! Todd!! What in Rahl´s name have you done to be thrown into this pile of crap?”
Haron had no difficulties to adopt the hail-fellow-well-met tone he had been greeted with. The Mord Sith changed a look with the Confessor. Her tilted head and her furrowed brows silently asked what just happened. Ever so slightly Kahlan shrugged, no less irritated than Cara was.
The man called Todd ignored the women completely and clapped Haron´s thigh again.
“Why, I am sent to check if rumors we´ve been told in the Fort are right... There have been some narration of strangers traveling our roads; and our Young Leaders seem to worry that they have changed the villages they´ve come through in some way. Ah. You know how rumors spread... I got orders to check on this. May be the Foxes have conquered a few villages...”
Haron nodded, as if he understood what he said. Trying to put a good face on the matter.
“The Foxes then...So, did you find out anything?”
Todd wagged his hand.
“This guy here...” he turned and winked the young man at his side to come closer. He was brown haired and a bit scrawny. Barely a man at all. “...he is the Young Leader here. He has not seen nor heard of strangers...How about you? Haven´t you been on your way to the Foxes last time we´ve seen? I´ve been told you were with a group of rebels, going to worm your way into their confidence. What happened? As far as I know their camp has been found abandoned, one of them dead, and signs of a fight. Won´t you tell me they´ve been able to blindside you?”
Haron grinned.
“Never mind... You know, if there is anyone worth his wage? It´s me. I am the best on Lord Rahl´s payroll. They had no idea what I was after...” He didn´t look at the women. Hoping, Todd would not be bothered to see him traveling with two ladies. His mind worked feverishly, searching for a chance to get rid of his former buddy and bring his Mistress out of here safely.
But Todd didn´t leave him a chance.
“I think I have a few candle marks before I´ll make my way to the South. Come on, get off that horse, Haron. Let´s have a drink and...” he paused; his eyes traveling slowly over the two women who still hadn´t said a word. Kahlan held her breath, trying her best to appear humbled and shy with her shoulders hunched and her hood shadowing her face while she did not dare to lift her gaze.
Cara, on the other hand, followed her example, though her shoulders didn´t sag but were tight with tautness and her hand had wrapped around her agiel. Though she held it hidden under her cloak, Kahlan sensed how she flexed her hand again and again, ready to strike if need be.
- at least she´s waiting...
“Now, look who´s having fun on his journey. Where have you picked up these little birds, Haron?”
Todd had left the spot beside Haron´s horse, stepping closer to the women, trying to get a peek under their hoods.
“My ladies, I apologize for my misbehavior.” He adumbrated a mock bow and reached for Cara´s reins.
In this exact moment Cara made her horse shy a little, snapping its head nervously and stepping back, avoiding the man´s touch. His brow raise while his eyes narrowed a little. Staring at the Mord Sith suspiciously, he suddenly made a quick step towards Kahlan and grabbed her reins.
“Why so shy, ladies! Am I not allowed to have a look at the women my good old friend has chosen to...” Raising his voice he closed the gap between him and the Confessor; “To what exactly, Haron? What are you up for with two lovely ladies by your side?” His voice suddenly dripped with scorn.
Haron did not answer. His fist had wrapped around the ax that hung at his saddle bag. His face was as hard as if carved in stone. Slowly he straightened.
The Young Leader had followed the scene with bored, arrogant glances. But when Todd had stepped towards the women, his face had taken an alarmed expression. His hand went up into the air and waved a few times. His mouth opened and..
“GUARDS!!”
And at a single blow they were in the center of a turmoil. Many things seemed to happen all at once. Haron jumped from his horse onto Todd, who just ripped at Kahlan´s cloak and pulled her out of her saddle, her short cry stifled by the backhand strike she received from the brute.
Cara had jumped on the Young Leader and pushed her agiel against his chest, leaving him no time to repeat his call. Instead he gasped for air, his eyes wide and his mouth agape as he howled with pain and terror.
Kahlan came to her feet quickly, right in time to see a troop of eight soldiers running down the steps, while four more prepared their bows to shoot them from above.
Her dagger met the first and ripped his throat open. He fell without a sound, but the next was close and a sword was already drawn. Kahlan spun and found herself standing back to back with Cara, who held a short sword in one hand and her agiel in the other. Haron was the third in their row, all three fighting back-to-back. Cara grinned satisfied as one of the soldiers trembled and fell under her agiel´s pressure. Though, looking up, her grin froze at the sight of many more soldiers that came running from the backside of the building.
“Haron! The horses!” she shouted. And for once, Haron obeyed immediately. He too had seen the soldiers and started to run to get the horses, that had backed out from the fight but luckily stood not too far away. He grabbed the reins of two and swung himself into the saddle of the third, but one shied and he lost its ropes. There was no time to go after it, so he turned and galloped with only two horses back to the fight.
“Mistress!”
Kahlan gripped Cara´s arm and tugged her closer, until they both stood beside the horse.
“Mount!” she yelled. And Cara did, immediately reaching out and grabbing Kahlan´s arm while offering her foot as a stirrup, and pulling her up behind her. Not waiting for the Confessor had to find her balance in her back she pushed the beast into a gallop, heading out of the village. A sharp whistle and Kahlan´s pointed hitch rang in her ears, but she had no time to look over her shoulder and see if she was wounded. Reaching the next corner she found even more soldiers waiting for them and turned the horse sharply, directing to the small market they had passed before. Salesmen jumped out of her way as the horse galloped along. Turning her head she faintly saw a shadow following her own path and knew it was Haron, driving his own beast to its maximum, riding for dear life, though never losening his gaze from his Mistress. His frightened eyes and furrowed forehead told Cara that Kahlan had been shot, and she cursed.
“Hold on, Kahlan! Hold on!” her voice hitched as the horse jumped over a market stand. On the fly she saw large red fruits tumbling in a mess with legumes and a girl behind the stand stumbling and falling.
Her hand reached for Kahlan to support her landing, and then she saw the opening of the massive gates...
They were out before the order to close the gates they heard yelled from behind could reach the guards. And with the necks of their horses foaming with sweat they galloped away...
t.b.c.
Pairing: Kahlan/Cara
Rating: PG 17
Word account: 5500
Summary: End of Season 1 - And the beginning of an unexpected future for two sworn enemies, who have to learn to have faith in each other while trying to survive in a hostile world...
Disclaimer: Nothing of LotS belongs to me (such a pity!) - no business, just fan-fun
AN: Sometimes it is just a tiny little detail that holds sway over your fate... Remember Reckoning? Cara struck Richard, who was sitting close to the edge... Well, I asked myself how things would have turned out if not Richard but Kahlan had sit first in her way when Cara arrived...
AN2: I hope you all had some very awesome holidays. And I´m wishing for you a wonderful and hopefully peaceful new year 2015!!!
Previously: Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5
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It was in their third week together that Cara heard the sound for the first time.
They had set-up camp in a small valley, where a little creek offered fresh water and a tiny pond allowed them to take a short bath, which was cold and freezing of course, but refreshed them in every manner. Haron had stood watch while Kahlan had taken off her clothes and sat down in the shallow stream, naked, her back to Cara, who knew the Confessor didn´t go well with her ogling her. She had admonished her a few times when she had found the blonde´s eyes on her. But she watched nonetheless. And why would she not? Kahlan was a beautiful woman. It was a pleasure to watch her skin shimmering with drops of water splashed over her body, when the last sun rays that fell through the leaves around the pond, put a faint gold to all the tiny freckles. Her moves were slow and almost tender as she rubbed the dust off; and when she dunked into the water to emerge again with her face lifted and an expression of... peace and relaxation playing on her features, while her wet hair cascaded in thick curls over her back, Cara felt something pulling in her insides.
Kahlan was beautiful.
There was nothing she should be ashamed of.
Cara herself, had no such restraints. She undressed, if Haron was in sight or not and stepped into the water, cleaning herself with pliable motions, and on the rare occasions when she shot a short glance over her shoulders, she grinned, seeing Kahlan´s brief glance before she was able to avert her eyes from the blonde. It never ceased to amuse her to see the Confessor´s cheeks turning a faint pink when she caught her...
On this particular evening Cara had lay down earlier, intending to take the watch from Haron who clearly was in need for a rest after having watched over them for the whole week; only sleeping in the morning when the women prepared for leaving.
But sleep didn´t come. Instead a sound came to her that was reminding her of dungeons and painful agony.
A breathing that hitched, that was choked but couldn´t be suppressed. A sob. And then another.
Cara listened for a while, furrowing her brows; and then shifted carefully and lifted her eyes to see Kahlan sitting at the small fire. She had her knees drawn to her chest and her face buried in her bent arms, choking the little sounds that came from her weeping. Her shoulders were slightly trembling.
“Are you alright, Confessor?”
The brunette winced a little as she heard Cara asking. Breathing deeply in and out she nodded. Though her head didn´t lift. Only when she heard Cara standing and walking closer she looked up and Cara saw her eyes shining red and swollen, while she tried to wipe the tears away that came rolling down her cheeks.
“Why the tears? Are you hurt?” Cara watched her closely, trying to find out if there was pain in her features.
Once more Kahlan wiped at her cheeks and shook her head, trying a small smile - and sadly failed.
“No, I´m … I just thought you were asleep and... “ She paused and rubbed her palms over her face.
“Everything is fine. Thank you for asking...”
Cara raised her brow and stepped closer, pointing at her with an accusatory finger.
“Nothing is fine, Confessor. You are sitting alone in the night and you are weeping... What happened?”
Kahlan sighed. Already assuming the blonde would not simply let her go.
“I just... I … I am feeling... alone. Forlorn. I miss Richard and Zedd. I miss their laughter. The warmth I felt when they were around...”
For a long moment Cara looked down at her and tried to comprehend. During the last weeks she had learned that Kahlan was drawn by emotions she didn´t always fully understand. Though, even while she could not say that she appreciated that soft side of the woman; not knowing why, or how, Cara felt prompted to put an end to her sadness. She rolled her eyes but it did nothing to help that feeling.
So, a little awkwardly she pulled her blanket around her shoulders and sat down beside Kahlan, staring into the flames as the Confessor did and chewing on her lower lip. As if debating something with herself.
Kahlan stiffened and sent her a brief, confused side-glance.
A few heartbeats later, none of them had said another word, Cara shifted again, turning towards the Confessor and putting the blanket over Kahlan´s back and shoulder, taking care that they both sat under the warming touch of the thick wool. She shrugged as she met Kahlan´s astonished eyes.
“I am not them. But I am here...”
:::::::::::::::::::::
„Be patient, Cara. Do not hurry into a fight when no fight is needed.“
Kahlan gave Cara the look. The one that had admonished her like a hundred times these last weeks.
And it led inevitably to the expected eye-roll from the blonde. Cara huffed annoyed and watched Kahlan grin at the sound.
They had been on the road for almost five weeks now. And they had learned a few things about the Young Leaders; like that they were deployed in larger villages only, not less than 25 houses at least, but sent their men out to control even the small piles of huts that were found in their surroundings. And that, sometimes, they couldn´t get through to the Young Leader without a fight.
Much to Cara´s pleasure...
This was their 8th visit to a village since Kahlan had confessed the redhead Kyle to safe Cara. Since then they had been riding, though into the general direction of the People´s Palace, forgoing the Plains, never leaving the backing of the mountains completely- which had caused Cara more than a few times to complain that they´d grow old and weak until they´d face the Lord Rahl and get their revenge -; all while taking every opportunity for a sidestep into one of the villages to free people from the rules of a Young Leader they were forced to bear.
Though, the first two „visits“ had been somewhat complicated.
Kahlan, used to seek for the way that caused the least damage, had come up with a plan to get to the Young Leader without being caught before she could confess him. She had suggested to go straight to the main building and pretend that they were following Rahl´s orders, that strangers had to be registered when entering a village. They should appear like siblings, searching for their father who had been taken away from his family. Innocently pretending they believed in the rightness of the political system...Until they stood before the YL and Kahlan got to get her hand wrapped around his throat.
Though, Cara, used to seek the shortest way to success and to not accept any sort of resistance, had not been able to stand the very first harsh question of a guard, adumbrating that women were not allowed to travel and he would see to it that they would be punished for their shameful behavior. She was quickly striking her agiel across his face and immediately finding herself being involved in a fight that caused much more noise and trouble than Kahlan could have wished for.
They had fought their way to the YL anyway, but it had been a bloody way after all. Confessing the boy, who had been taken by surprise that anyone dared to fight his guards and to reach him, the more so as he recognized two women and only one man were his opponents, had been an easy thing. And at least there had been no guards left to question his new orders; which were to free the people from the dungeons, who had been imprisoned for sheer nothing; to take back the privileges from snitchers; to open the store houses and feed the people and grant them justice and peace; in short: turning every bill, he had passed in the name of Rahl, upside down...
Like Kyle before, Kahlan had ordered him to stay in the village and live there in the service of his people. He should not tell anyone about her visit, nor about her person or the Mord Sith. No one should know they had been there!
After only one candle mark they had been out of the village again.
Kahlan had seethed when they had left. They had ridden in silence, but the air between them had been filled with arguments they didn´t speak out loud. Cara had kept her expression as sullen as Kahlan had ever seen one, while she herself wore her Confessor mask with her jaw set and didn´t show what she felt inside.
Haron had seen that he stayed close to his Mistress, feeling uncomfortable with their heavy silence and fearing that the blonde would jump on her in a sudden outburst of anger.
When they had made up their camp for the night, Kahlan had felt finally like she had calmed down enough to talk to the blonde without yelling at her. Haron had been ordered to sleep for a few hours, so he would be refreshed for the night watch when the two women were ready to settle for the night.
The blonde sat at the fire, staring at the low crackling flames, and obviously in deep thoughts when she heard Kahlan sighing as she sat down opposite to her.
She looked up at the Confessor with defiant eyes.
„Now, is this the moment you finally find your voice again?“ she grunted angrily. She had known that this moment had to come, and she knew the Confessor was about to accuse her for things Cara had done, because they had to be done...
The Confessor should be grateful she had agreed to her plans anyway. As she saw it, it was a wasting of time!
Grave blue eyes locked with sparkling green ones. Kahlan pursed her lips, thinking about the words before she let them out.
“Cara...” her voice was low and gentle, which made the Mord Sith narrow her eyes suspiciously.
“I think we should clarify things between us, if we are going to travel together all the way to the People´s Palace.”
The blonde chewed on her lower lip, but otherwise didn´t react.
“First of all things, I really hope you do not only see the enemy in me any longer. We will not succeed if we are waiting for each other to stab in our backs at night. We will need to trust each other, if we are going to fight the new Lord Rahl.
So, that is the most important question I have.” Kahlan lent in to be sure she wouldn´t miss Cara´s reaction.
“Can I trust you, Cara?” She saw a frown on her forehead blossoming and continued, with more urge in her voice.
“Are we in this together? And... can I trust that you will not just vanish when things are getting... difficult?”
The frown grew.
“I need to know that, Cara. I need to know that you are on my side. That I can rely on you. Because, if not... “ She sat back and Cara saw a slight shadow running over her features. “well, we should stop this thing right here and now, before we are going to fight each other. I´m tired of fighting you. But sooner or later we will go there again, if we can´t handle our differences...”
The blonde still didn´t say a word. But, though Kahlan was aware that she couldn´t read a Mord Sith, she acknowledged the slight change in her expressions. Where she had seen defiance and anger before, there was now a brow rising, that stood more for surprise than for anger. And a small smirk replaced the tight-lipped set of jaw as Cara nodded slowly.
“As you can see? I´m here, Confessor. And though I think your plan is stupid, you have my word I won´t leave without letting you know when; and why. And for as long as I´ll stay, I will fight at your side for our goal.” she paused, while the smirk grew into a mischievous grin.
“But, you can´t read a Mord Sith. That´s a well known fact, Confessor. So, how can you be sure I´m not cheating on you?”
Kahlan shrugged, breathing deeply in and out, and the glance she gave her was full with vulnerability and yet, determination.
“I can´t. But... I´ve lost everything. I am alone in this world. Trusting you is the closest thing to amity that I will probably find here. Maybe it´s just that. I want to trust you, because I do not want to lose that last bit of confidence...”
The smile on her lips was a sad one and it made Cara squirm a little.
But before she was able to name that strange tug on her inside, Kahlan straightened and smirked in turn now.
“So, now that we have cleared that up -“ Her brow rose reproachfully, “What, in the name of the Creator, did you think you were doing when you attacked these guys today?? Haven´t I´ve been clear about our plan?”
Her sudden change to accusation caught Cara by surprise, though she felt her anger fueled immediately, her voice rising as she retorted:
“Your plan... is a load of crap, Confessor! How do you think we should have made it through the guards, when they are ordered to admit no one? Do you really think these guys are just waiting for a few women to take their leader down? This world does not work like that. It is ruled by cruelty and recklessness.
I can assure you, that the house of Rahl has never allowed to be tricked that easily. And as far as we have learned about the new Lord Rahl? He is not someone to deploy fools as Young Leaders. And with the two of us? “Women are not allowed to travel..:”? I will not! Lick their boots for their insults!”
Kahlan sighed. This was exactly what she had expected. This Mord Sith was stubborn to the bones and wore her honor and her pride like soldiers wore their shields. It was not that she was not able to suppress her anger, she just didn´t want to see the reason why. Especially when it came to her honor.
The brunette raised her hands in an annoyed gesture.
“So how do you suggest we get to the next boy I´ll have to confess? Should we burn the whole village down to safe it? Don´t you think a little less drama would serve our plans better? Beside - if we are causing too much trouble, making too much noise on our way, rumor might run away and reach our enemy before we do... I do not think this would work in our favor.”
Cara thought for a moment, wondering how this woman was able to reprimand her and get away with it...
What she said made sense. Well, as much as this whole plan could make sense at all. But...- she rolled her eyes - she had agreed to it...
“I will not lick their boots...” she growled peevishly.
“Of course not! All I ask from you, is to try to avoid fights and trouble if possible. Will you do that?” Kahlan smiled at her and Cara wondered again what kind of magic this smile was made of, for she felt as if it crawled under her skin and rubbed her anger off.
Looking at these lips, curled into a wide and warm smile that even reached her eyes, Cara finally nodded slowly and met her gaze with defiant glance.
“I will strike only if necessary. But IF necessary, you will have to deal with my decision, like it or not!”
...Stubborn woman! - Kahlan thought, but couldn´t help a contend sigh.
“Deal.”
:::::::::::::::::
Though, only three days later, things went much the same as before, and Kahlan was seething again when they left the village.
On this evening she didn´t seek to talk with Cara, but went to sleep without a word. The Mord Sith watched her from the corner of her eyes, feeling her own anger eating her away, though having no idea why it bothered her at all, that the Confessor ignored her.
She barked at Haron a few times, who warily saw to it, that she didn´t get too close to his sleeping Mistress. Though when he didn´t offer her a reason to beat him, she huffed noisily and stomped off into the woods to go for a hunt.
With the first sunlight she returned, finding Kahlan, who had already packed her things up, sitting at the dying fire. She looked up and seemed honestly surprised to see Cara returning.
“You are back.”
And since the blonde didn´t answer, she dropped the subject and stood, hiding the tiny smile that tugged at the corner of her lips while she turned towards the horses, which Haron had already fed and brought back from the small stream nearby.
Only when she had mounted her steed, she turned around to glance at the Mord Sith with a shy smile.
“I´m glad you´re back.”
:::::::::::::::::::
Cara pursed her lips as she rode behind Kahlan into the village, abstractedly studying the smoothly swaying back of the Confessor. The look the woman had given her had been admonishing, but by now she knew it was meant more as a plea than an order. During their journey, the Confessor had already learned that she wasn´t to be ordered. So, now the brunette tended to ask her instead of ordering; mostly with a gentle smile, sometimes with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. She suggested instead of demanding. And much too often Cara had a strong feeling of being cheated into decisions she would not have supported in other times.
She would not fuss over things, but secretly the Mord Sith kept an account of Kahlan´s small victories, and every now and then she would suggest something smarter than the Confessor´s idea was, sometimes it was just a tiny break of their routine, like hunting first and doing the camp-building later, if only to remind the brunette that she too had still a saying in their journey.
But her anger, that had driven her ever since she had learned about her sisters´fate, had calmed down. During that night in the woods, when she had been running away from Kahlan´s silent approach and her disappointment, she had recognized, that this strong feeling of anger was already starting to rule her. Fanning the flame of her hate into a blinding heat more than serving her. So, Cara had made a decision.
She had isolated it and watched it for most of the night, had turned it upside down and at least, she had locked it away, from now on feeding it only on rare occasions, when she stared up to the sparkling stars in sleepless nights. Not wanting to forget why she was on this journey with a woman at her side she would have killed not long ago, without thinking about it.
Sometimes she would shift then, staring at the sleeping form of the Confessor and wondering if she´d still be able to kill her if need be.
They rode in silence. The air held a chill that boldly licked at Kahlan´s face as she pulled her cape tighter around her shoulder and her hood deeper into her face. Winter was foreboding, and though they had left the mountain ranges of the Boundary, separating the Midlands from D´Hara, behind and headed to the open fields of the Azrith Plains, the cold breath of the northern winds had become angry and biting, and forced them to stay close to the foothills. But, as it was, they were deep into D´Haran territory already.
The villages in this area behind the former boundary were more comfortable, the people held their heads a bit higher then in the areas on both sides near the mountains. The Young Leaders didn´t seem to be as brutally dominating as they had felt they were in the villages along the border to the Midlands, where they had come from. Cara had explained to Kahlan, that it was rooted in their history. D´Hara had always respected the leadership of the Rahl house, and in general felt more at ease with its brutal force. Because it was seen as a sign of a strong leadership, that led to safety and prosperity. And though their life had become a lot harder since they were reined by Young Leaders, most of them accepted their rules without questions.
The village they were about to enter was a larger one. It´s name was Oakfell. It seemed to be a trading center along the main road to the People´s Palace and Kahlan quickly assumed that corruption and generous donations towards the Leaders had made sure that the merchants were able to live their lives extensively unmolested. The air wasn´t as thick as she had felt it weighing on her shoulders in other villages, where fear and distrust had hung heavily in the streets. People were walking in the streets, laughter was heard and merchants were praising their goods noisily. A few children ran behind some chicken and in a group of three a woman was complaining loudly about the price for a new dress she had bought.
As usual it was Haron who led their little band, the two women riding close behind him, as it seemed to behoove them in the eyes of the guards. Nevertheless Kahlan felt curious eyes following their way as they rode to the main building. When they reached the house, the Confessor hesitated. Haron looked back at her, expecting her orders, but Kahlan didn´t move to dismount her horse.
The Mord Sith closed the gap between them. Her long braid hanging loosely over her shoulder under the hood she had pulled into her face, much the same as Kahlan had. It had taken some arguing before the blonde had agreed to accept a cloak whenever they neared a village. But, being called an ostentatious person, wrapped tightly into red leather and moving like a smug cat, and after all the complete contrary of being inconspicuous, finally she had taken the cloak, not without huffing as she swung it over her shoulder.
Her breath swept along Kahlan´s cheeks as she now leaned in.
“What is it, Kahlan?”
“I´m not sure. This village is different from those we´ve seen before. People! are different...”
Covertly shooting glares around to find out what the woman was speaking of, Cara finally nodded slowly.
“You are right. This is a wealthy small town wrapped in complete satisfaction. No one here is suffering from their Leaders. I can´t smell the foul breath of angst anywhere near...”
Kahlan chewed on her lips. They couldn´t stay any longer at this place in front of their Leader´s office without gaining attention.
“Haron, we´re leaving” she murmured, just as two people came down the stairs that led to the first floor. The tall man nodded and reined his horse, intending to revolve.
Kahlan had already turned her beast round and looked over her shoulder to see if Haron was following her orders, when the sudden sound of an astonished call made her blood freeze.
“Haron??”
One of the two men who just descended the stairs, a mountain of a man, suited like Kahlan remembered the dragon corps had been dressed in former times, with his helmet in hands and thick, curly brown hair, seemed to suddenly burst into excitement as he jumped down the stairs and laughed loudly, approaching the confessed man with a wide grin that showed a line of perfectly white teeth.
“Now, who would believe that? HARON!! Damned rapscallion! Where the heck have you been, all the time? We thought you´re dead!”
A side-glance to Cara proved to Kahlan that the blonde was ready to fight, but giving her a firm look she laid a hand on her forearm and sent Haron, who stared at her wide-eyed, a brief nod to play along.
The tall man tried a grin, which came out more as a grimace as he looked the guy over. His voice was trembling ever so slightly. He knew this was a ticklish moment, and his only thought was to get Kahlan out of here; though, the man had reached him and clapped a large hand in a thick glove, covered with shining metal on the back of the hand, to his leg.
“I´ll be jiggered! Todd!! What in Rahl´s name have you done to be thrown into this pile of crap?”
Haron had no difficulties to adopt the hail-fellow-well-met tone he had been greeted with. The Mord Sith changed a look with the Confessor. Her tilted head and her furrowed brows silently asked what just happened. Ever so slightly Kahlan shrugged, no less irritated than Cara was.
The man called Todd ignored the women completely and clapped Haron´s thigh again.
“Why, I am sent to check if rumors we´ve been told in the Fort are right... There have been some narration of strangers traveling our roads; and our Young Leaders seem to worry that they have changed the villages they´ve come through in some way. Ah. You know how rumors spread... I got orders to check on this. May be the Foxes have conquered a few villages...”
Haron nodded, as if he understood what he said. Trying to put a good face on the matter.
“The Foxes then...So, did you find out anything?”
Todd wagged his hand.
“This guy here...” he turned and winked the young man at his side to come closer. He was brown haired and a bit scrawny. Barely a man at all. “...he is the Young Leader here. He has not seen nor heard of strangers...How about you? Haven´t you been on your way to the Foxes last time we´ve seen? I´ve been told you were with a group of rebels, going to worm your way into their confidence. What happened? As far as I know their camp has been found abandoned, one of them dead, and signs of a fight. Won´t you tell me they´ve been able to blindside you?”
Haron grinned.
“Never mind... You know, if there is anyone worth his wage? It´s me. I am the best on Lord Rahl´s payroll. They had no idea what I was after...” He didn´t look at the women. Hoping, Todd would not be bothered to see him traveling with two ladies. His mind worked feverishly, searching for a chance to get rid of his former buddy and bring his Mistress out of here safely.
But Todd didn´t leave him a chance.
“I think I have a few candle marks before I´ll make my way to the South. Come on, get off that horse, Haron. Let´s have a drink and...” he paused; his eyes traveling slowly over the two women who still hadn´t said a word. Kahlan held her breath, trying her best to appear humbled and shy with her shoulders hunched and her hood shadowing her face while she did not dare to lift her gaze.
Cara, on the other hand, followed her example, though her shoulders didn´t sag but were tight with tautness and her hand had wrapped around her agiel. Though she held it hidden under her cloak, Kahlan sensed how she flexed her hand again and again, ready to strike if need be.
- at least she´s waiting...
“Now, look who´s having fun on his journey. Where have you picked up these little birds, Haron?”
Todd had left the spot beside Haron´s horse, stepping closer to the women, trying to get a peek under their hoods.
“My ladies, I apologize for my misbehavior.” He adumbrated a mock bow and reached for Cara´s reins.
In this exact moment Cara made her horse shy a little, snapping its head nervously and stepping back, avoiding the man´s touch. His brow raise while his eyes narrowed a little. Staring at the Mord Sith suspiciously, he suddenly made a quick step towards Kahlan and grabbed her reins.
“Why so shy, ladies! Am I not allowed to have a look at the women my good old friend has chosen to...” Raising his voice he closed the gap between him and the Confessor; “To what exactly, Haron? What are you up for with two lovely ladies by your side?” His voice suddenly dripped with scorn.
Haron did not answer. His fist had wrapped around the ax that hung at his saddle bag. His face was as hard as if carved in stone. Slowly he straightened.
The Young Leader had followed the scene with bored, arrogant glances. But when Todd had stepped towards the women, his face had taken an alarmed expression. His hand went up into the air and waved a few times. His mouth opened and..
“GUARDS!!”
And at a single blow they were in the center of a turmoil. Many things seemed to happen all at once. Haron jumped from his horse onto Todd, who just ripped at Kahlan´s cloak and pulled her out of her saddle, her short cry stifled by the backhand strike she received from the brute.
Cara had jumped on the Young Leader and pushed her agiel against his chest, leaving him no time to repeat his call. Instead he gasped for air, his eyes wide and his mouth agape as he howled with pain and terror.
Kahlan came to her feet quickly, right in time to see a troop of eight soldiers running down the steps, while four more prepared their bows to shoot them from above.
Her dagger met the first and ripped his throat open. He fell without a sound, but the next was close and a sword was already drawn. Kahlan spun and found herself standing back to back with Cara, who held a short sword in one hand and her agiel in the other. Haron was the third in their row, all three fighting back-to-back. Cara grinned satisfied as one of the soldiers trembled and fell under her agiel´s pressure. Though, looking up, her grin froze at the sight of many more soldiers that came running from the backside of the building.
“Haron! The horses!” she shouted. And for once, Haron obeyed immediately. He too had seen the soldiers and started to run to get the horses, that had backed out from the fight but luckily stood not too far away. He grabbed the reins of two and swung himself into the saddle of the third, but one shied and he lost its ropes. There was no time to go after it, so he turned and galloped with only two horses back to the fight.
“Mistress!”
Kahlan gripped Cara´s arm and tugged her closer, until they both stood beside the horse.
“Mount!” she yelled. And Cara did, immediately reaching out and grabbing Kahlan´s arm while offering her foot as a stirrup, and pulling her up behind her. Not waiting for the Confessor had to find her balance in her back she pushed the beast into a gallop, heading out of the village. A sharp whistle and Kahlan´s pointed hitch rang in her ears, but she had no time to look over her shoulder and see if she was wounded. Reaching the next corner she found even more soldiers waiting for them and turned the horse sharply, directing to the small market they had passed before. Salesmen jumped out of her way as the horse galloped along. Turning her head she faintly saw a shadow following her own path and knew it was Haron, driving his own beast to its maximum, riding for dear life, though never losening his gaze from his Mistress. His frightened eyes and furrowed forehead told Cara that Kahlan had been shot, and she cursed.
“Hold on, Kahlan! Hold on!” her voice hitched as the horse jumped over a market stand. On the fly she saw large red fruits tumbling in a mess with legumes and a girl behind the stand stumbling and falling.
Her hand reached for Kahlan to support her landing, and then she saw the opening of the massive gates...
They were out before the order to close the gates they heard yelled from behind could reach the guards. And with the necks of their horses foaming with sweat they galloped away...
t.b.c.