Legend of the Mord'Sith: Deception - Chapter 6 (2/2)

[erinlier004]

Pairing: Cara/Kahlan

Rating: M

Word Count: 4100/8500

Author: Mistresserin

Part Two

Cara didn’t put up a fight when Kahlan helped her get off her horse or when she helped lower her to the ground to sit with her back against an old tree, or even when Kahlan fussed over her and dropped a blanket over her shoulders to keep her warm against the sudden chills wracking her body. Her Mord’Sith self was too busy trying to fight off the chills and the annoying aches to pay attention to her lack of fortitude against Kahlan’s kindness.
Her mind started to drift off as soon as she closed her eyes, the sounds around her dispersed and muffled. She knew she should force her eyes open and pay attention to her surroundings, to the whereabouts of her friends, and Lord Rahl, but she couldn’t muster the strength to do so; they were so heavy. She was just too tired… Kahlan would keep her safe…
A cold cloth pressing against her forehead forced her eyes open and she immediately noticed with alarm that it was almost dark. “Huh?” The warmth creeping from her chest was making it hard to concentrate; it felt so wonderful against her chilled body.
“You fell asleep.”
Bloodshot green-blue eyes opened a trifle more and stared slightly unfocused at the beautiful smiling face, so close to hers. “I did?”
Kahlan nodded, the smile still lingering on her lips, her warm hand still on Cara’s chest. “Dinner is almost done.”
Cara frowned, realizing they were no longer by the stream. “How did I get here?”
“I carried you, of course.” Kahlan’s smile curled teasingly at the corners. “I’m stronger than I look and you’re not that heavy.” Cara’s disbelieving eyebrow forced a low chuckle out of her. “And Zedd cast a spell to make it  easier to carry you. It was like cradling a sleeping child.” A very warm and snuggly child, who immediately rested her head against her shoulder and curled up contentedly in her arms.
Cara scowled, her green-blue eyes wide, not amused at all.
“Here, have some water.” Kahlan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and helped her to sitting position, giving her the water skin.
“Thank you.”
Cara drank avidly, her eyes closed, revealing in the simple pleasure.
“For what?” She asked when she was satisfied, her eyes clearing a bit.
“For letting me care for you,” Kahlan said her voice soft and sincere. “I know it’s not easy for you.”
Cara grunted and said nothing as Kahlan maneuvered her into a full sitting position and placed herself behind her, so she could gently cradle her against her chest.
“Do you enjoy doing this?” Cara huffed. Her pride demanded she should at least protest, even if her aching body was more than grateful to be resting against the warm torso of the Confessor, wrapped securely in that protective embrace.
“Do I enjoy caring for you? Yes,” Kahlan replied, her voice so soft it was barely heard. She opened her mouth to say more, but the words failed her and she swallowed. It wasn’t as if she really knew what she wanted to say anyway. “Is it too much for you?”
Cara was silent for so long, Kahlan honestly thought she wasn’t getting an answer, but then the low contralto voice spoke, soft and hesitant, “I don’t mind it if… if it's you.”
Kahlan gave her the brightest, happiest smile she’d ever seen and she couldn’t help but smile shyly back, her fingers curling around longer ones without conscious thought.
##
Richard stopped short, silently moving behind a tree set to the side of the trail that led directly to their camp. His sharp, cold eyes caught Kahlan's movement as she sat down close to the sleeping Mord’Sith, her eyes roaming over her body, a worried frown creasing her forehead. Kahlan shook her head a little and soaked a piece of cloth inside a small pot with water, rinsed it and pressed it carefully to the blonde’s forehead. Cara stirred immediately and Kahlan’s hand rested on her chest in a calming motion.
He watched as Kahlan helped her into a sitting position, his eyes narrowing dangerously when he realized Kahlan had no intention of letting go of his Mord’Sith - and Cara didn’t even put up a protest!
He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, trying very hard not to let his temper loose - he couldn’t, but when he opened them again and watched as Kahlan smiled brightly at whatever the Mord’Sith was telling her, the lid on his temper loosened and he let it pour out, and course through his veins for a long, dreadful moment, barely keeping himself from screaming at them. He gripped the hilt of his sword until his knuckles were white and taut against the tanned skin of his strong hand, his eyes hard. How dare she make her smile like that?! Kahlan never smiled at the Mord’Sith like that! Savage satisfaction coursed through his soul when Cara suddenly leaned to the side and retched violently. If it wasn’t for Kahlan’s firm grip on her waist, weak as she was, she would’ve fallen flat on her stomach contents.
A low, wicked chuckle trickled through his lips and he closed his eyes, taking a deep, cleansing breath before stepping out of his hiding place, feeling very pleased with himself.
##
“Kahlan, what’s wrong?” Richard dropped his wrapped bundle next to the fire and rushed to the Confessor’s side.
Kahlan had one arm wrapped around the blonde’s waist and the other was holding her hair back. “I don’t know, she just…” she winced as Cara’s stomach convulsed again. This close to her, she could just hear the soft moan of pain that followed the dry heaves, her heart clenching in sympathy.
“Where’s Zedd?” He looked around, but the wizard was nowhere to be found.
“He’s hunting for herbs.” Kahlan watched from the corner of her eye as his hand made its way to Cara’s back, rubbing it in a soothing move.
“I think the worst is over.” Richard peered at the gasping Mord’Sith, his hand wrapping around her shoulder. “She needs to lie down.”
Kahlan nodded and helped maneuver the sick woman back down to her bedroll, her eyes trained on Richard. He was being his gentle, compassionate self, but instead of feeling reassured, Kahlan felt anything but, the fine hairs at the nape of her neck standing on high alert like never before. “Find Zedd, Richard.”
Richard looked up at her and nodded quickly, his brown eyes gleaming just a trifle with something that Kahlan couldn’t quite place, but whatever it was, it was enough to make her blood run cold. Whoever this person was, he wasn’t the kind and sweet woods guide she was proud to call a friend. This was someone else entirely different, someone that might have already killed Richard Cypher and taken over as Richard Rahl. But before she could take a better look at him and allow her power to explore the depths of his soul, the glint was gone, the door to his soul closed, and she was left standing outside, unsure of what she’d seen.
“I’ll be right back.” He patted Cara’s leg in a comforting gesture and ran in the direction Kahlan was pointing.
Kahlan grabbed the discarded cloth and soaked it again, carefully cleaning Cara’s grimacing face and neck. “Zedd should be here shortly, Cara.” Kahlan pressed her hand against her forehead. “At least your fever isn’t worse.”
A small grunt was Cara’s only response, her eyes closed in concentration, trying to control the convulsions playing havoc in her stomach.
Kahlan captured her hand and slipped the glove off, then did the same with the other.
“Kahlan…” Cara gritted, her eyes still closed. “What…”
“You’ll feel better, Cara, I promise.” Kahlan’s hand touched her cheek, her thumb rubbing in a soft caress against the smooth, sickly pale skin. “Does this come off?” Kahlan tugged a little at the upper part of her leather.
Cara hesitated. “There’s a… a hidden hook on the inside…”
“All right, let’s get this off you then. You can’t possibly be comfortable inside these leathers with this heat and the fever.”
Cara didn’t answer, she just let her do what she wanted. She couldn’t muster the strength to explain that Mord’Sith were built to sustain discomfort, that it was a sign of weakness to complain about the weather or a little fever; that if you did, your punishment was a trip to a dark dungeon to beat the weakness out of you. She would tell her later, when her stomach stopped cramping and her head stopped spinning. Before she could even realize it, she was already dressed in one of Kahlan’s sleeping tunics. She inhaled faintly, allowing the soft scent of fresh herbs and clean sweat to lull her to sleep.
##
Zedd watched curiously as Kahlan fussed over the sleeping woman. As much as it was strange and unlikely, the friendship they were slowly developing was indeed growing to unexpected proportions. Something had changed between them after being trapped in that tomb for a day, and while Kahlan never once told him or Richard what had transpired inside, it was clear that something had; something that somehow became the turning point in their relationship. Cara certainly was more acquiesced to Kahlan now and even started to allow what she considered to be dreadful indignities, such as the small touches Kahlan was prone to. And after the time they’d been forced to travel alone, Cara’s lone escapades to hunt became a sort of bonding time for both women, as Kahlan started following her more often than not.
More time spent with Cara, however, meant less time spent with Richard. He remembered quite clearly the frown on his face when Kahlan left just after Cara; the deepening of that frown when they returned, Kahlan laughing softly over some sarcastic comment from the impish blonde and Cara, their brooding, hardcore, ‘feelings make you weak’ Mord’Sith, smiling and chuckling at whatever the Confessor was telling her.
His blue eyes traveled inevitably to the sleeping form of his beloved grandson, trying to reconcile the person he had watched grow into a fine young man, to the person on display these days. He wondered briefly if Kahlan’s growing friendship with Cara had somehow influenced his change of behavior; he certainly wasn’t happy about the time they spent together now. His attention shifted back to Kahlan and her charge, knowing eyes softening in a mix of amusement and pained reality as he read the concern on her tired face. If Richard had no reason to fear before, he did now.
Looking up at the full moon, he judged the time. He still had at least two more candle marks of watch before Kahlan would take over. Stifling a grunt as his old bones protested from sitting in the same position for too long, he strolled to where both women had settled for the night, a gentle smile on his lips. He loved Kahlan like a daughter, and the fact that she hadn’t run, screaming into the night after finding him standing naked on his wizard's rock, with merely a chicken to cover his most private parts, pretty much cemented her reputation with him.
“How is she?” Zedd lowered himself on Cara’s left side and placed a large hand on her forehead. After Richard found him, lost amidst the fragrant herbs, he had rushed back and prepared a herbal beverage for the Mord’Sith, infused with healing magic. That Cara hadn’t put up a protest surprised him more than anything else. She was asleep before she was finished, the cup still on her hand.
“The fever is down a little and she’s still asleep.” Kahlan pulled the thin blanket closer to the woman’s shoulders.
“Good, it means the tea is doing its job.” Zedd smiled kindly at her. “Why don’t you sleep now, mm? I’ll keep an eye on her.” Kahlan seemed to hesitate. “Kahlan, you’re no good to her if you’re too tired from lack of sleep.”
Kahlan nodded and dropped down on her own bedroll, right next to Cara.
“Thank you.” She smiled at him and pulled her own blanket up
“Sleep now.”
Kahlan looked one last time at the peacefully sleeping Mord'Sith before closing her eyes, finally succumbing to slumber.
##
"Richard."
Richard opened his eyes immediately, a smile tugging on his lips when he realized it was Kahlan. "Something wrong?"
Kahlan shook her head. "It’s your watch, everything's calm."
His smile faltered, but he nodded. "How's Cara?"
"The fever's down and she's still sleeping." Kahlan gave him a small smile.
"All right, I'll start with the rounds." He moved to a sitting position, running his fingers over his disheveled hair.
Kahlan nodded and started to rise, but a firm hand on her wrist stopped her. Kahlan looked down at him, a dark eyebrow rising in silent question.
"I miss you," he said softly. "I don't want to lose you." Kahlan opened her mouth to speak, but Richard stopped her. "Don't, please, just… listen." He licked his lips, his eyes earnest. "I have been thinking about us and our relationship and… Kahlan, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to grow old by your side and if that means that that we can't go to Westland, it’s all right." Retreat and regroup.
Kahlan tilted her head to the side, her eyes serious. "And where do you want to live?"
"Wherever you want," he said softly, his eyes pleading.
"You're Lord Rahl, you have to stay in D'Hara and that is the one place I will never set foot to make a home."
"You don't have to go to D'Hara. I'll assign a deputy to watch over my rule." He scooted closer to her.
"That won't work and you know it."
He frowned. "But you have Dennee as your deputy while you're away. Why wouldn’t this work?"
"Dennee is a Confessor and my sister, and I trust her implicitly. You don’t have anyone you can trust in D’Hara. It's political suicide.”
“I’ll send Cara then; she can go to D’Hara and rule under my name and we can stay in Aydindril, and…”
“You mean you’ll ask her if she accepts to be your deputy.” She corrected softly, gauging his reaction.
And there it was, the dangerous glint before he could hide it. Her nostrils flared in anticipation to his answer.
“Of course I will.”
Kahlan nodded, her face blank and revealing nothing. “I’ll consider your words.”
His eyebrows lifted in honest surprise, not expecting the answer - at all. “You’ll-”
A rustle in the bushes on the other side of the camp stopped him and they both reached for their weapons. A battle cry sounded suddenly too loud in the dead of night, the small clearing they’d chosen to make camp quickly filling with raiders.
Kahlan and Richard wasted no time in engaging the first raiders to come forth. Zedd stirred quickly and proceeded to send a wave of wizard’s fire to the closest one. The man screamed and rolled onto the ground, desperately trying to get rid of the magical flames.
Kahlan deflected a clumsily thrust sword with her dagger and used her momentum to press her hand firmly against the man’s throat, and release her power on him. Time slowed down as it always did for her whenever she was about to confess someone; her eyes darkened as magic escaped its confinement and burst into its victim. The man’s eyes widened, the power of confession coursing through his body with devastating efficiency. For a brief moment, his eyes darkened to the same shade as Kahlan’s, the impact of the magic forcing him to his knees.
“Command me, Mistress.” He looked up at her adoringly; he would know nothing else but the unconditional love for his mistress for the rest of his life.
“Protect us,” she rasped, the exertion of releasing her power forcing her to go down on one knee, her breathing ragged.
“Yes, Mistress.” The raider jumped to his feet, sword swinging wildly at the closest of his companions.
Kahlan looked over at the far end of the camp, a patch of blonde hair getting her attention. With all the commotion, Cara began to stir as well, clumsily reaching for her agiels. She tried to get up, but her body refused to cooperate and she fell back down, her face a curious mix of confusion and anger.
Her sudden movement, however, brought the unwanted attention of the closest raider, who ran to her, thinking of her as an easy prey. He was sorely mistaken as both her agiels connected with his thighs, driving him to his knees in a messy bundle of pain and screams. Once down and on her level, he was no match for her skill, sick or not.
Kahlan grinned wildly at the fierce display of skill and ran to her friend, killing two more raiders on her way.
Another one made his way to where Cara was, his intent clear, but before he could even get to her, a dagger found its way to his neck with deadly force.
“Cara?” Kahlan punched a raider with her right fist, her dagger still clasped in her hand. The man fell down with a grunt of pain; a well-placed kick to his chin ended his life before he could even register what hit him. “Stay down, Cara!”
“Behind you!” Cara yelled, her eyes wide in alarm. Her mind was still clouded from either the sickness or Zedd’s beverage, but she could still make the raider coming behind Kahlan’s back, his sword firmly clasped in his hand.
Kahlan turned around, ready to defend herself, and realized it was the man she confessed.
“Mistress, you’re safe!” He smiled adoringly at her.
“Didn’t I just give you an order?” She snapped, looking around the camp; Zedd disappeared into the forest surrounding them, chasing a runaway raider and Richard was fending two raiders at the same time, his face set in a fierce expression, one that suddenly reminded her of Cara’s expression when she was fighting - he was enjoying the skirmish!
“Help him!” She pointed to Richard. “Now!”
“Yes Mistress!” The confessed man turned around and left to aid Richard.
Kahlan took the opportunity to recover her dagger from the fallen man and stood protectively in front of Cara.
The confessed man successfully killed one of the raiders attacking Richard and the Seeker dispatched the other one. The fight was over in moments.
“Are there more of you?” Kahlan asked her confessed protector.
“No Mistress, I’m the last one. Are you pleased, Mistress?”
Kahlan knelt beside Cara and touched her forehead tenderly, quickly checking her for wounds, but other than looking utterly exhausted, she seemed to be in one piece.
“Yes, I am.” Kahlan looked up at him and forced a smile, remembering compassion was a Confessor’s duty. “What’s your name?”
But before he could answer, Richard’s explosive voice resounded furiously around the camp. “What in the Spirit’s name did you think you were doing?!”
Kahlan blinked at him, watching from the corner of her eye as the confessed man took on a defensive stance, ready to protect her. Kahlan felt the muscles tense underneath her hand as Cara stirred from her numb state.
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re my Confessor! You’re supposed to defend me with your life, and instead you send your pet to defend me while you stay behind to protect her?!” He was furious, the prominent vein in his neck throbbing rapidly.
“I stopped being your Confessor the moment we closed the rift. You’re no longer my priority, Seeker,” she answered coolly, her hands balling into fists at her side.
“Stay away from my Mistress.” The confessed raider growled, stepping in front of Kahlan to protect her. “You…”
Richard’s sword sticking out of his chest stopped his tirade. The man’s eyes widened in shock, blood trickling down from his mouth; he was dead before he hit the ground.
“You killed him?” Kahlan tried to check on the man, but Richard grabbed her arm roughly and forced her to remain upright, facing him.
“You would rather protect a Mord’Sith, your mortal enemy, your sister’s killer than protect the man you love?!” His hold on her arm tightened.
“Let go of me, Richard!” Kahlan growled in his face, her eyes flashing angrily.
“Answer me!” He demanded.
“Richard…” her voice dropped to a dangerous pitch.
Richard’s painful growl and grimace caught her attention as he was forced to let go of her arm, an agiel hissing angrily against his forearm.
Cara swiftly moved between them, standing protectively in front of Kahlan, her agiel pointed menacingly at him. “Touch her again and I’ll give you the most painful death I can come up with,” she said, her voice dropping dangerously, glazed eyes flashing angrily.
Richard took a step back, his hand cradling his bruised arm, his eyes spitting venom.
Kahlan stared incredulously at the blonde head in front of her; Cara was obviously sick, her shoulders hunched and the unprotected hand holding the agiel trembling slightly, yet she still found the strength to stand and protect her, and against her Lord Rahl no less.
“Drop the agiel, Cara,” Richard ordered, his voice strangely controlled.
Cara snarled at him and remained in a defensive posture.
“That’s an order, Mord’Sith!”
“You gave me freedom to do as I please and now you order me around? Typical Rahl!” Cara spat, her eyes burning with barely contained anger.
Richard took a step closer, his face set. Kahlan made a move from behind, intent on standing between them, but Cara held her back, placing a firm hand on her arm, silently begging her to stay put.
“I take it back; I’m calling all Mord’Sith for duty, starting with you. Drop your agiel.”
Cara let out a biting laugh. “It doesn’t work like that, Lord Rahl.”
“Drop it!”
“Make me!” She defied, her eyes shining with impertinence.
Richard narrowed his icy eyes, focusing intently on the disobedient woman, his breathing slow and controlled. She was going to pay for her insolence!
Cara felt the invasion of her senses; felt the tug on her soul, the burning need to obey her Master’s commands. She stared at him in utter disbelief: the bastard was using the bond to make her bow to him! But she was Mistress Cara, a free Mord’Sith, and she wouldn’t go down without a fight; she would stand her ground! Gritting her teeth, she concentrated in deflecting his attempts to invade her mind, her senses. It was very much like deflecting magic, problem was, this was already ingraoned in her  and in her weakened state, she was completely defenseless against it. The need to obey kept burning and eating at her, and her resolve started to waver before the power of the bond calling out to her, her arm shaking uncontrollably under the pressure of fighting herself; of fighting him.
“What are you doing to her?” Kahlan released herself from Cara’s bruising grip and tried to push him away, but Richard Rahl stood tall  proud and unmoving, his cold, dark eyes never wavering from his victim. A disturbing little smile started to curl around the corners of his lips - he sensed victory.
Cara dropped to her knees from the exertion of resisting the bond, her face set in painful concentration, sweat running down her cheek from her temple.
“Cara!” Kahlan rushed to her side and held her by the shoulders, watching helplessly as Cara’s hand slowly started to lower and turn inward, the agiel now in a position to hurt its mistress. “No!” Kahlan grabbed Cara’s hand with both hands and tried to pull the agiel away from her, but it was too late; Cara’s body surged against the agiel, desperately seeking the punishment her Lord demanded.
“What’s going on here?” Zedd surged from the trail and was shocked to find Kahlan on her knees, holding Cara, while Richard stared down at them, imposing.
“Stop him!” Kahlan yelled at the wizard, trying to pull the agiel away from the blonde, but the woman was damn strong! Cara’s body trembled violently in her arms from the pain of the agiel, her hand clenching tightly in the dirt, her teeth gritted to keep from screaming.
And then everything happened at once. Zedd pushed Richard away from them, dragging him forcibly by the arm, hoping to break his focus; Cara let out a pained moan and sagged in Kahlan’s arms, her agiel scattering to the ground, forgotten; and Kahlan stared numbly at the unconscious woman in her arms, a twirl of emotions contorting her usually placid face, her breathing ragged and rapid. A growl slipped as she slowly lifted her head to look at Richard.
Zedd gasped and Richard took a step back in reflex, surprise and apprehension showing on his face; Kahlan’s eyes burned with the unmistakable dark anger and rightful vengeance of the Con Dar, her lips curling in a spine chilling sneer.
##