Legend of the Mord'Sith: Deception - Chapter 4
Pairing: Cara/Kahlan
Rating: M
Word Count: 7100
Author: Mistresserin
Beta: Fifi
Author’s Note: See chapter one for disclaimers. Once again, thank you so much for all your comments. They keep me wanting to write more and more! J
Chapter Four
Breathe in, breathe out.
Cara concentrated on keeping her breathing steady, her eyes closed and her ears tuned to the sounds around the camp she was guarding. This was supposed to be her night off from watch. Instead, she was having the full watch, tired and sore as she was. Not that she had any hope of sleeping all night, with those pesky, silly nightmares haunting her night after night and now the pain in her bruised ribs, but a few candle marks of undisturbed sleep would be most welcome. If she had any doubts about Richard’s behavior toward her, his conduct from candle marks before only confirmed her suspicion: he definitely had a problem where she was concerned, she just couldn’t fathom what that might be and why the sudden change of heart. The thought that he might be jealous of her growing friendship with Kahlan and was feeling left out did cross her mind on more than one occasion, but she dismissed it quickly - it was that ridiculous. Maybe he was just regretting giving her freedom, giving her the power of free will. Maybe he finally understood the advantage of having a loyal Mord’Sith bent to his will, no questions asked. If he planned to take on D’Hara’s throne as he claimed, he would need her to ease him into the complicated life at the People’s Palace. But he had to know she would never leave him, even if she now had a right to choose, right? She was Mord’Sith and his friend - she would die to protect him. Maybe she should talk to him and remind him of that, though she really didn’t understand why he was acting the way he was. If he needed her help, all he had to do was ask.
Breathe in, breathe out.
She really craved her agiel’s touch right now, craved the clarity it always brought to her mind, but with the still searing pain in her side, touching the agiel would probably knock her out, as it would intensify the pain to an unbearable amount. That had been a hard and painful lesson to learn in her initiation to the uses of the agiel.
The wizard had offered to prepare her a potion, to help with the pain, but Richard had forbidden it as it would dull her senses and she wouldn’t provide effective protection. He was right, of course, but didn’t he know that if they were attacked she would be unable to use the agiels to protect them, him? Even Darken Rahl, in all his cruelty, had never made such a stupid decision, not when his life might be on the line. He was nothing if not a very good strategist; he knew his resources and how and when to apply them. Richard, though the real Lord Rahl and her friend, was nothing but a woods guide with no sense whatsoever of strategy and leadership. She was glad he had Kahlan to help and guide him. The Mother Confessor was a natural born leader and Cara found herself admiring the woman more and more each day. The Mother Confessor was worthy of her loyalty.
Breathe in, breathe out.
She should stop thinking about all that, really. She was sure the wizard would figure out whatever was ailing Richard and probably fix it with some overly complicated and likely, unnecessary spell and everything would be back to normal. Richard would be back to his do-good self, the arguments with the Mother Confessor would stop and they would talk about re-populating the Midlands with their babies again. She briefly wondered if they had already consummated their relationship and though the thought did cause her stomach to clench painfully, she dismissed it quickly. There was nothing stopping them now. Maybe that was the problem; maybe Lord Rahl was plagued with sexual frustration. That made her smile a little.
“What’s that wicked smile for?”
Cara opened her eyes with a start and jumped to her feet, only to fall back down on her knees, her arms wrapped around her middle, bent in pain.
“Cara?” Kahlan was by her side in less than a moment, long arms wrapping around the bent form protectively. “Cara?”
Cara sucked in a breath, not really sure if she was more frustrated with this stupid pain on her side or the fact that Kahlan had caught her completely distracted. She should be on watch, not daydreaming! It was careless and plain stupid! She could have gotten them all killed!
“Cara?” This time, the Confessor’s voice sounded urgent, almost frantic.
“I’m fine…” Cara forced her breathing to slow down enough to grit out the response.
“No, you’re not!” Kahlan whispered fiercely in her ear. “C’mon.” Kahlan waited patiently for the pain to subside enough to help the Mord’Sith move back to her spot against the tree she was leaning on.
“I’m fine!” Cara repeated, her voice sounding almost normal.
But Kahlan knew she wasn’t; the tension was painfully written all over her chiseled features. Kahlan’s lips pressed into a thin line and the Confessor simply walked away, anger flashing in her cobalt eyes.
Cara closed her eyes, torn between asking her to stay and relief at being left alone to lick her wounded pride in peace. Beads of sweat covered her face and chest, and she was finding it very hard to tune out the throbbing sting on her side.
This time, she heard the soft footsteps approaching and opened her eyes as she allowed herself a moment to soothe her ego. She was not that distracted, Kahlan was just growing stealthier. It was her own fault anyway; she was the one to challenge the Confessor, teasing her that when she was trying to be quiet, she could still scare the wildlife all around them. Kahlan had made it a private project of hers to try to catch her unaware since then. This was actually the first time she succeeded, though there had been a few close calls.
Kahlan had her pack in her hand and started rummaging inside once she knelt. “Can you unlace your upper leather?”
Cara’s eyebrows lifted so high it was almost comical. “Why?”
Kahlan pulled out a neatly folded bandage and a small jar. “I’m trying to have my way with you now that you’re hurt and vulnerable and your leathers are in the way.”
Cara almost swallowed her tongue, but her face remained impassive. “I’m not sure you can handle me even now, Confessor.”
Kahlan blinked and swallowed hard, glad for the darkness that hid her fierce blush. It did nothing to hide Cara’s wicked grin, however. She should know better than to play these games with Cara. She would never come out on top. “Just do it, Cara.”
“More humoring?” Cara took pity on her and didn’t pursue the matter. There would be other times to tease her mercilessly and see that cute blush. Cute?! She mentally groaned.
Kahlan gave her a gentle smile. “Yeah, something like that.”
Cara nodded and bit her lower lip in thought. “I don’t think I can reach back.” If there would ever be an admission to pain from this particular injury, this was the closest thing Kahlan would get.
“All right, move a little forward then.”
Kahlan reached back and started unlacing the laces in the back, being careful to cradle most of Cara’s upper body against her own, to take the strain from her half-healed ribs. Her breath almost caught in her throat when she felt Cara’s head rest comfortably against her shoulder and relax. Nimble fingers worked the remaining laces and quickly pushed the leather down to the woman’s waist.
“Let me see.” Kahlan gently pushed Cara against the tree, her breath releasing in an audible hiss when she took in the damage to the ribs, but not before her eyes lingered just a moment longer than necessary on those full, perfect breasts. “Oh, Cara…”
“It looks worse than it is.”
A large dark purple bruise covered most of her left side, extending all the way to her breastbone. Long, slender fingers gently touched the ugly bruise, finding it hot to the touch. Goose bumps erupted all over Cara’s torso and arms and Kahlan lifted her hand to the woman’s forehead, a frown on her face.
“You’re not warm.” She scooted a little closer. “I know it’s a little chilly so I’ll try to be quick.”
“Take your time,” Cara said, her voice strained. What was it about this woman that made her lose control like this? Made her almost break into shivers with a mere brush of fingers? To her credit, Kahlan’s hands were a little cold against her overheated side and it was a chilly night, but still! She was Mord’Sith, dear Spirits, she did not break into shivers with a mere touch!
Kahlan nodded briskly and hurried to apply the healing ointment to her side, trying not to jar it too much. She did her best to keep her eyes trained on the injury itself, not an easy task, considering the other woman’s perfect body. After making sure all of the bruised area was thoroughly covered with the ointment, Kahlan wrapped the bandage as tightly as she dared around the sore ribs.
“It’s not much, but it should help the pain a bit.” Kahlan gave her a gentle smile as she pulled the leather top back up taking her time in lacing it closed exactly the way she knew Cara liked.
“Thank you,” Cara mumbled awkwardly. She was feeling more tired than before and she wasn’t sure she would be able to stay awake, her eyelids felt so heavy. Maybe she should go to Lord Rahl admit her weakness, and suffer her punishment. “That ointment…”
“It has a calming effect.” Kahlan guessed the question. “Scoot.”
Cara frowned, but did as told. She didn’t have the strength to ask any more questions and she fervently wished the aggravating woman wasn’t in the mood to chat.
Kahlan slipped behind her and pulled her against her chest. Cara tensed, not expecting the intimate contact. Kahlan pulled a blanket over the both of them and wrapped her arms securely around the exhausted woman. Carefully holding her in place, she felt as the stubborn woman started to relax in her arms. “Don’t bother arguing.”
“Kahlan…” Cara was nothing if stubborn. “Lord Rahl has ordered me to keep watch.” She forced her eyes open and tried to escape the wonderful warmth that was stubbornly pulling her into its seductive tendrils.
“Lord Rahl,” Kahlan almost spat the title, “is sound asleep. I’ll keep watch and wake you before dawn.”
There was no room for argument with that tone of voice, but Cara was Cara, even if her eyes were already closing against her will, her voice sounding slurry. “You need rest. You can’t stay up all night.”
“I’ve already slept half the night, Cara, and it’s enough. I can handle it.” Kahlan pulled the blanket over the the woman’s shoulders, smiling at her stubbornness. It would be endearing if it wasn’t so exasperating most of the time. “Don’t worry about it, Cara. Tomorrow night we’ll be at the village to get the horses and we can spend the night there.” Kahlan kissed the blonde head resting on her shoulder. Cara relaxed her body further into Kahlan’s, the friendly gesture no longer causing her to tense and retreat and her breathing started to even out. “I’ll guard your dreams tonight.” Kahlan slipped her hands inside the blanket and laced her fingers with the ungloved ones of the Mord’Sith, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Rest.” She almost didn’t feel the squeeze back and she smiled at her stubborn friend.
Content with her improvised arrangement, Kahlan swept her eyes around the camp, resting just a moment longer on Richard’s sleeping form. She took a moment to send a prayer to the Creator, praying she would protect him from whatever evil was befalling him and causing him to act the way he was. She truly hoped the Creator would listen to her plea, because she wanted her friend back.
##
As promised, Kahlan woke Cara just before dawn broke, gently bringing her back to awareness with soft touches and whispered words.
Completely lost in the heavy tendrils of sleep, Cara had no control over the sharp pain that shot through her side when she adjusted in her warm cocoon. A pained hiss escaped her lips before she could prevent it and Kahlan pulled her closer in silent support.
“Are you all right?” Kahlan asked quietly, her lips close to her ear.
Cara swallowed and forced the hard, unreadable mask to slip into to place. She didn’t want anyone witnessing this weakness, not even Kahlan. The woman had a way of making her feel stripped bare and exposed more often than not and it was more than she could handle right now.
“Cara?”
“Yes.” Her voice was strong and steady, if a little rough from sleep.
“Mm, I’ll pretend that I believe you, but only because we hardly have the time to go into this before your Lord Rahl is up and about,” Kahlan whispered in her ear.
Cara glared at her, but remained stubbornly silent. Kahlan just shook her head and pulled away, moving to her own bedroll, already expecting the reaction, but unable to avoid the disappointment that came with it. Carefully, she slipped under her blanket and remained still, pretending she was still asleep.
Cara watched her go, a heaviness in her chest constricting her breathing. She suspected that was probably the feeling of guilt, not that she had much experience in this. Mord’Sith didn’t feel guilt; they felt satisfaction, pride, anger, and occasionally shame, when they couldn’t fulfill their master’s desires, but never guilt.
Taking a careful breath, she slowly moved to her feet, testing her side for further pain, and was happy to notice that the good night’s sleep, snuggled against Kahlan, had done its job. It still hurt, but it wasn’t unbearable and she was fairly sure she could walk without help, albeit at a slower pace. For the first time since she’d become a Mord’Sith, she sincerely wished there wouldn’t be a fight.
Then her train of thought stopped completely and focused on one word alone, snuggle? Did she really think that word? That fluffy word? Really? Disgusted with herself, she looked over her shoulder and watched as Kahlan turned in her blanket, so that her back was to the dying fire, and gritted her teeth. She should apologize and say thanks. She scowled deeply. Mord’Sith didn’t apologize, especially to Confessors! But the churning in her chest was relentless and she wanted it to stop. Kahlan Amnell wasn’t just any Confessor.
Chewing on her cheeks and hands on her hips, she resigned herself to her fate and walked carefully to where Kahlan was supposedly sleeping, only to be stopped short by the too cheerful voice of her Lord Rahl.
“Ah, time to get up already, Cara?”
Cara slowly turned to the sound of his voice and found him looking at her, his head supported by his hand and an amused look on his too innocent face.
“Good morning, Lord Rahl.” She smirked at him, her smooth voice dripping with sarcasm. “Did you sleep well?”
Richard smiled at her, but it never quite reached his eyes. “Quite. I would make this a permanent arrangement, but alas, the odds are against us. I trust the watch was uneventful?”
“Of course.” I didn’t kick you awake, did I?
Richard nodded, pleased. His eyes traveled to the Mother Confessor’s bedroll and lingered there. “Hunt us breakfast, Cara. My betrothed and grandfather will be famished when they awake.”
“As you command, my Lord.” Cara bowed her head slightly and turned to walk to her chosen spot to retrieve her bow and quiver, her movements slow and stiff. It might have been just a trick of her tired eyes, but she could’ve sworn she saw Kahlan’s back stiffen at the sound of ‘betrothed’.
“And hurry, it will be dawn soon and we need to move.”
Cara didn’t turn around, but her back tensed in silent anger. Had Richard been anyone else, she would grab Kahlan’s dagger and cut off his pride and joy! But he was Lord Rahl and she was his chosen tool and weapon; she existed merely to serve and please him, nothing more.
##
When Cara returned to camp with two hares hung by a string, the atmosphere was tense and eerie. Not even in their darkest moments had it been this bad between them.
“What took you so long?” Richard gave her a hard stare, clearly looking for a way to vent his frustration.
“These were not easy to find, Lord Rahl. Not much game around here,” she replied evenly, her expression the picture of absolute boredom, as always. And other than the light sheen of sweat covering her torso and face, nothing gave away the discomfort and pain she was feeling right now. Mord’Sith were pain friendly, but they were also trained to account for their reserves, and Cara knew she was running low. Had she been with her Sisters, or even just with Kahlan, she would’ve swallowed her pride and said something already, but this Lord Rahl was not the person she had grown fond of, and she had a feeling nothing good would come of him learning her weaknesses.
“We’re not far from Shadrin territory,” Kahlan explained matter-of-factly. “It is not unusual for animals to stay more than a few leagues away from their territory.”
Richard watched as Cara handed the hares to the silent wizard and moved to her still unrolled bedroll, carefully lowering herself to it. “Funny how you always come to her defense.”
Kahlan glared at him. “Why shouldn’t I? She’s my friend.” She paused for effect. “My best friend.”
Richard looked back at her and gave her an amused stare. “I doubt I would call my brother’s murder, my ‘best friend.”
Kahlan’s face changed instantly and became the hard, warning face he’d seen the first time she had ever spoken to him, after he helped her escape the quad sent by Darken Rahl. “How much you’ve changed indeed, Lord Rahl, that you can’t even recognize the results of your hard work.” Her voice was low and hard as steel, just as he remembered from that first time. “You forced me to see there’s more to Cara than meets the eye, but apparently you don’t follow your own advice. That’s not a good trait for an aspiring leader.”
Without giving him the satisfaction of a reply, she jumped to her feet and walked to where Cara was resting against a tree, looking bored as usual.
Richard’s jaw tightened in barely held anger, his hand clenching and unclenching on the hilt of his sword. Desperate to kill something, he stomped away from camp.
Kahlan pretended not to hear him leave and knelt beside the blonde, just as she let out a loud gasp of pain and doubled over, her eyes closed tightly against the pain.
“Cara?” Kahlan’s hands were instantly on her, literally supporting her.
Cara gritted her teeth, her arms wrapped around her middle, beads of sweat running from her forehead to her cheek.
“Zedd!” Kahlan called over her shoulder. “Did you hurt yourself while hunting?”
But Cara could hardly control her breathing, much less acknowledge the annoying questions spilling from the foolishly concerned Confessor. She hadn't done anything wrong, no false movements - no movements at all!
“What’s wrong?” Zedd knelt beside them and spread his hands ready to start healing whatever needed healing.
“No need for that…” Cara gritted out, her breath coming in a short rasp, her voice strained. “I just moved the wrong way.” She hated this, hated that she wasn’t somewhere else to hurt alone and in peace - hated that she was hurt at all.
“Lower her down, dear one.” Zedd instructed firmly.
“I said I’m fine!”
“Cara…” Zedd started.
“I’ll agiel you, old man!” her eyes dead serious, only her panting betraying her.
Zedd sighed. “No you won’t, Cara, and we both know it. We’re past that.”
“I don’t think…”
“Stop it, Cara!” Kahlan admonished suddenly, her eyes flashing in anger. “You’re among friends; there’s no shame in letting them know you’re hurt.” They glared at each other until Cara finally gave in and looked away; it was too much anyway.
“Stubborn thing!”Zedd gave her a warning glance and Kahlan refrained from commenting anymore.
“Lord Rahl…” Cara mumbled as Zedd started the healing chant they all knew by heart now.
“He’s off sulking somewhere; don’t worry about him.” Kahlan touched her arm gently.
“Don’t tell him about this…” Cara gasped as the magic coursed through her torso. At least it wasn’t as bad as before. “If he finds out…”
“He won’t leave you behind, Cara!” Kahlan interrupted exasperated.
“I think what Cara means, dear one,” Zedd stopped his healing spell, a frown on his old face, “is that if Richard finds out that she’s still this hurt, he might use it against her.” Zedd locked eyes with the Mord’Sith, glad to see some color return to her cheeks. “How does that feel, better?” Cara nodded, but said nothing.
Zedd took advantage of her sudden compliance and checked the wound on her arm; it was still closed, but it was not knitting the way he expected. Cara always healed so fast without magic, but this small cut was still angry red and puffy looking and her ribs were still heavily bruised. He grunted under his breath, more than a little worried. “This is not healing properly, Cara, and neither are your ribs.”
“Maybe you’re just getting too old for this, wizard,” she grumbled. “Can I get up now?”
Zedd huffed and grumbled under his breath about stubborn children as he left to tend to breakfast.
Kahlan just shook her head, amused. She had a feeling Zedd and Cara would forever bicker with each other, and strangely enough, it was a comforting thought. It meant they cared enough about each other to bother.
“We’ll hurry back to Aydindril, Cara. I’m sure Zedd can find something in the Wizard’s Keep to…”
“I’ll be healed by the time we get there, Kahlan,” Cara said softly, slightly exasperated with all the fussing around her. This went against everything being a Mord’Sith was! “Stop worrying about it.”
“I sure hope so, but I’m not taking any chances.” Kahlan gently touched her chin and forced her to look up at her. “Not with you, Cara.”
They just stared at each other for the longest time, analyzing each other, understanding each other. Cara swallowed and nodded slightly, her eyes dropping to her gloved hands. She was not used to this, not used to the affection and the concern that poured from those azure eyes for her only. “Thank you… For last night.” She cleared her throat a little. “It helped.”
Kahlan grinned, charmed, and kissed her cheek impulsively. “I’m glad.”
Cara looked at her with wide eyes, but was unable to come up with a sarcastic remark.
##
Cara gritted her teeth, both hands wrapped tightly around her right leg. It had been just another skirmish with D'Haran soldiers and there weren't even that many of them, but they'd been ambushed almost every day for the past week, and frankly, they were all exhausted and that always led to stupid mistakes, like not getting out of the way when a bowman was aiming at you with deadly intent. Her reaction had been too slow and now she had an arrow sticking out of her shoulder.
Richard gave her a sardonic smile, clearly amused. "I thought Mord'Sith felt no pain."
"Common misconception, Seeker." She gritted out, not amused at all. "Everyone feels pain, some just learn how to make into something useful."
"Richard…" Kahlan warned softly, her arms already cradling the blonde against her chest, for support.
But Richard was having too much fun with this. It wasn’t every day he had the chance to ruffle the Mord’Sith’s feathers and he was going to grab it with both hands. Besides, he knew the injury was not life threatening and Zedd would heal it quickly after the arrow was removed. "What are you going to make out of this one?"
"I'm going to shove it…" her sentence was left unfinished by Kahlan's hand covering her mouth, the Confessor’s blue eyes widening in disapproval, though he wasn’t sure if it was directed at him or the Mord’Sith.
"Richard, my boy, why don't you go get Cara’s bag? I’m sure she’ll need to mend her leather after this." Zedd gave him a meaningful stare.
Richard being Richard, pointedly ignored Zedd's warning and Cara’s murderous glare. "I'll get it in a moment. Want me to take it out?"
"I'll do it." Zedd gave him a warning look as he wrapped his long fingers around the long shaft, carefully easing it out.
Cara closed her eyes tightly against the excruciating pain and forced her breathing to remain under control. In a moment of pure weakness, her mind clouded by pain, she turned her head so it was hidden against the nook of Kahlan’s neck, seeking comfort. The pain, however, was too much to bear, even for a battle hardened Mord'Sith such as herself and she quickly lost the battle, her eyes rolling to the back of her head as her body slackened against Kahlan’s.
“Cara?” Kahlan stared down at the unconscious woman in her arms, her eyes wide with surprise and worry.
Richard chuckled gleefully. “Oh, I sense a very wounded pride for a few days.”
“Don’t you dare make fun of her, Richard Cypher!”
Richard looked up in surprise, completely taken aback by the fierce protective glint in the Mother Confessor’s blue eyes. “Kahlan, I’m just joking. She can…”
“She can’t. Not about this and you know it!” Kahlan cut him off without remorse.
“I’m afraid I have to agree with Kahlan, my boy. Cara has just started opening up to us, if we tease her wounded pride now, she might retreat back into her shell and we have to start over again.” Zedd gave it one last yank and removed the arrow.
“Fine.” He sighed, defeated. “But she better not tease me again when I get hurt.”
“Well,” Zedd scratched his unshaved chin, “I believe she might still beat you when it comes to bearing pain.” He brought the wicked looking arrowhead into plain view. “You would be screaming your head off with this one boy.” After a meaningful pause he added, “As you have, just before you passed out, if I recall correctly.”
The said arrowhead was cruelly barbed and curved along its sharp edges; it was meant to cause as much damage as possible, as well as pain.
Richard swallowed, properly chastised as his eyes drifted helplessly to the unconscious Mord’Sith: Cara was still slumped against the Confessor’s long torso, protectively cradled in her arms, her face clammy and pale.
“Oh, Cara…”
He heard Kahlan’s softly spoken words and his smile came out unbidden; she was such a gentle soul.
“Richard?”
He looked up at her. “Yes, Kahlan?” his smile vanished in a heartbeat at the look in her eyes.
“Not a word to Cara about this, understand?”
“I already said I wouldn’t, Kahlan,” he said warily. “Cara is a big girl, you know?”
Her fierce blue eyes kept burning into his, unrelenting, and he just shook his head. Now that they were getting friendlier with each other, it seemed no one was allowed to do anything that might offend one, because the other would simply tear you down. Women!
##
When they had arrived at the village, the locals had recognized them immediately and started ranting about the recent raids they’d fallen victim to. Cara had mentioned that it was probably the same gang that had jumped on them two days before, since it was unlikely for two rival gangs to operate in the same area. They liked to terrorize defenseless villagers, not going head to head with each other.
The villagers had seemed mollified by that, especially after learning that the said raiders were in league with the Keeper. But Richard being Richard, the Seeker of Truth, insisted that they look around the village area, to make sure that it was indeed safe.
Cara had not been happy about leaving the others behind, but the villagers were very grateful at the seeker’s suggestion and Richard’s devastating logic had just about wrapped things up for them, “No sense in everyone scouting around. Kahlan can stay here and help these people with their issues, as is her duty. If we find something, we’ll come back for help.” At that Kahlan was left behind with Zedd in a very sour mood=and they had left to search the woods surrounding the village.
Of course, they found nothing, as they knew they would, and since they still had a few candle marks of daylight, Richard suggested, strongly, that they should take the time to spar - he didn’t want his sword to get rusty! He was still peeved about Kahlan’s fierce defense of the Mord’Sith. It was becoming a very unpleasant habit, especially since because he was usually at the sharp end of her rebuke and he really hated that.
Cara gave him an unreadable look, but grabbed both agiels from her belt and prepared herself for what she knew was coming. Now she was on her knees, breathing hard, with her left hand clutching her left side, which Kahlan’s killer boot had connected with the day before, and trying very, very hard not to throw up. She had a split lip and a large bruise on her jaw. Fortunately, her leg armor prevented the wicked looking cut in her left upper leg from becoming a more serious injury and she had a feeling she might have internal bleeding, if her rebellious stomach and killer headache were any indication. She needed the wizard - fast.
“Lord Rahl, I believe that’s enough for today.” She breathed out, hoping he would listen. The bastard had taken full advantage of her weakened state and had beaten her relentlessly, but not before she delivered some damage herself.
Richard sheathed his sword angrily and closed the distance between them with three long steps; he grabbed her by the neck, forcibly pulling her up, her feet almost dangling off the ground. His eyes were hard and relentless, and he squeezed her neck until she could hardly breathe. “It’s only over when I say it’s over, do you understand me?”
Cara kept her trademark defiant look, fighting herself in order not to react and stab one of her agiels into his chest and end his miserable life! She had no regard for him right now. This was not her friend Richard Cypher, the Seeker of Truth; this man was not the Lord Rahl she had sacrificed everything for - this was an abomination! One that was causing her immense pain.
When she failed to answer immediately, he pressed harder around her neck. Cara did nothing to protect herself. As Lord Rahl, he had the right to do with her as he pleased, but her pride stopped her from submitting to this pitiful excuse for a Rahl, even if it killed her in the end.
Furious, he backhanded her, breaking her lip again, and punched her hard in her injured side, while still holding her by the neck. Blood spilled from her mouth, but she made no sound, no movement, her green-blue eyes glued on his. He would have to beat her to death to get anything out of her. She was very close to losing consciousness due to the pain and lack of air, black dots dancing in front of her eyes, but she remained impassive, insolent for as long as she could. Darken Rahl had never been able to beat her fierce spirit out of her and Richard Rahl would have to grow up and become a real man before he could even try. She dared one last impertinent act before he punished her to his heart’s content and smiled her best insolent smile, silently daring him to do his worse.
Overtaken by a fury he had never felt without the Sword of Truth in his hand, he grabbed the hand in which she still held her agiel and forced it to her side.
Cara’s grin widened as her body shuddered and shut down from the pain, and she gladly surrendered to it without giving him the satisfaction of hearing her screams. Silly boy, did he really think that he could break a Mord’Sith so easily?
Richard screamed angrily in her face and threw her against the hard ground. Furious, he viciously kicked her wounded leg twice and grabbed the agiel from her nerveless fingers, too enraged to even feel the agonizing pricks shooting up his arm. Dropping to his knee, he hovered it above her heart and almost, almost gave in to his fury and the insane desire to watch her body twist as her heart gave up the struggle and stopped beating. Tossing the agiel aside before he surrendered to his craving, he grabbed her by the collar of her leather and pulled her up until her limp head almost touched his face. “We’ll see who has the last laugh, Mistress Cara. I will break you until you’re nothing but an eager little pet at my beck and call, and nothing more.”
Still furious, he let go of her, not caring if it caused more damage. Grabbing his water skin from nearby, he drank until he quenched his thirst, his angry, cold eyes trained on the bloodied form on the ground.
Water skin still clasped in his strong hands, he walked back to the prone woman and poured water on her face until she stirred, a painful groan escaping her bloodied lips as her eyes cracked open. He moved quickly, reaching inside a pouch on his thick leather belt and spreading a shiny powder over the Mord’Sith, mumbling under his breath. Before the fallen woman could fully regain her senses, he knocked her out again with a vicious punch to the head. Her small, barely heard, grunt of pain brought a satisfied smile to his lips.
“Ah, Cara, how your body betrays you when you least expect.” Chuckling happily, he sheathed her agiels back in their holsters and pulled her over his shoulder. “Let’s go have some fun, shall we?”
##
“Cara?” Kahlan’s eyes almost bugged out of her eye sockets when Richard burst inside the room she had paid for her and Cara, the blonde woman slung over his shoulder, obviously unconscious. “What happened? What…”
“We were attacked.” He breathed hard and carefully dropped Cara onto the freshly made bed, seething inside for not being Kahlan’s first concern. Maybe he had beaten the Mord’Sith a little too hard. He should’ve let her do more damage to him first. Too late now. “We were outnumbered and they separated us quickly. When I managed to get to her, she was already down.” He looked up at the Mother Confessor, unshed tears prickling his concerned eyes. “I don’t think there’s any serious injury, but she’s been out for a while. I came back as fast as I could.”
Kahlan rushed to the Mord’Sith, taking in her bloodied form and visible injuries, and for a long, terrifying moment, her mind blanked out and she didn’t know what to do, where to start.
“Find Zedd.” She finally managed, her voice strangled. Her fingers trembled slightly when she tried to touch Cara’s unresponsive face, and quickly pulled them away.
“And get the innkeeper to bring hot water and clean cloths.”
“All right.”
The subdued sound of his voice snapped her out of her worry induced fog and she looked up at him over her shoulder, noticing the damage he had sustained himself: not as bad as Cara, but still enough to make her cringe. His right cheek was bloodied and bruising already, barely hidden by his dark stubble, and there was a gash on his forehead, a trickle of blood drying just before it reached the cheek. Worried, she moved to her full height and gently lifted his chin to take a better look at the gash. “Doesn’t look too deep. Are you hurt anywhere else?”
Richard shook his head and gave her a thin smile. “It’s just a scratch. I’ll go find Zedd.”
Kahlan nodded her agreement and returned immediately to Cara’s side. Once she was sure they were alone, she started the complicated process of unlacing the woman’s leathers and removing them. She hoped she was fast enough to finish before Richard arrived with Zedd. She knew Cara was anything but shy about her own body, but she found herself becoming very protective of it.
“You complain about us, but damn it Cara, you get in trouble faster than I can blink my eyes.” Kahlan grumbled softly, fully concentrated on her task. “I can’t leave you alone for a moment, can I?”
If she was expecting a reaction, it never came. When she finally unlaced the leathers and started to pull away, her breath caught in her throat as she took in the damage done to her friend’s body. “Oh, Cara…”
Her torso and arms were covered in bruises, and she just knew more hid beneath the bandages wrapped around her ribs. Her legs came into view next, battered and bruised, especially the left one. It seemed she had been kicked viciously by a horse, from the large bruise covering the side of the muscled thigh. She would have to ask Richard about it. A long, deep cut running from mid-thigh, almost to her undergarments was still gushing fresh blood. Kahlan hurried to remove the filthy leathers and pressed a clean piece of cloth to the cut.
A knock came from the door and she rushed to cover the battered woman with a clean blanket before opening it. Zedd and Richard were standing there, bearing buckets of hot water and soap, and clean cloths.
Zedd hissed in a breath and dropped to his knees next to the blonde woman.
“Dear spirits… How did this happen?” He wasted no time and spread his hands over her body, chanting under his breath.
“We were caught by surprise. I… They ambushed us.” Richard swallowed, his soulful brown eyes never leaving the prone woman. “She…”
“Here,” Kahlan took him by the hand and led him to the foot of the bed, where she forced him to sit down. “Let me look at you. You can tell us what happened later.”
He nodded gratefully and didn’t object when she tended to his wounds. Her touch was soft and gentle as usual, but somehow, it wasn’t the same. Something was off. He frowned.
“Am I hurting you?” she asked softly, her attention half on the prone woman just inches away from them.
“No, I… I was just thinking.” He gave her a wan smile. “You have a healer’s touch.”
That earned him a reserved smile and there wasn’t much talking after that, just the soft hum of Zedd’s chanting and Cara’s ragged breathing filling the room.
##
“Well?” Kahlan adjusted the covers over the still unresponsive woman, her fingers unconsciously tracing the now fading bruise on her jaw.
“Something’s not right with her, Kahlan. I am unable to completely heal her. First that cut on her arm, then her cracked ribs…” Zedd was slumped over a chair close to the window, looking as tired as if he’d been practicing magic all day. “I tried, twice, but it’s practically useless. It’s like her body is resisting my magic.” He shook his head, his white hair moving around his shoulders erratically. “At least I managed to heal the worst of it on the second try - she had internal bleeding.”
Kahlan gasped, shocked, her hand tightening around the limp one she was holding. “She… She told me she was hit by a dacra when we fought our way to the Pillars. It was just a scratch, but could this be the cause?” Kahlan looked at him, taking in his wide eyes. “What?”
“A dacra grazing a Mord’Sith will leave her vulnerable to magic for a while.” He gave them a stern look. “She should’ve told me! She knows this!”
Kahlan just shook her head, her eyes closed in silent anger. Stubborn thing! “What do we do now? Is she under some spell? I mean…”
He shook his head slowly. “I don’t think so, at least I can’t pick anything up, but if it’s a powerful spell, then I might not be able to detect it right away.” He gave a self-conscious smile. “This wizard here is getting old and needs more time to restore his powers fully. And after all we’ve been through in the last months; my powers are not yet fully charged.” He drummed his long fingers on his covered leg. “This could also be the reason why I can’t fully heal her. If my powers are really in a weakened state, then the sooner we get to Aydindril the better. Nothing like a few days of indulgence in the Keep to renew the debilitated powers of an old and weary wizard.”
Kahlan nodded in understanding, a small smile playing her lips. “It’s all right, Zedd. We’ll be in Aydindril soon enough. We’ll just have to keep her out of trouble until then.”
Zedd smirked and slowly rose to his full height. “Good luck with that, dear one. I’m going to check on Richard and see if I can help his wounds.”
Kahlan smiled her thanks at him and hurried to dress Cara with her oversized sleeping shirt. After changing for sleep herself, she moved under the thin blanket, snuggling close to Cara’s inert body. “You better not be under a spell, Cara Mason. Richard is proving to be quite the challenge these days and we need your strength and fast thinking.” She scooted closer and placed her hand on the woman’s chest, just above her heart, her lips close to her ear. “I need your strength…”
Kahlan closed her eyes and drifted off lulled to sleep by Cara’s heartbeat and her unique scent, a curious mixture of clean leather, citrus and sunshine.
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