New Episode: 3.12 - "Villains" - part 1
Disclaimer: This is a fan-produced creation and is not affiliated in any way, shape or form to the official TV show Legend of the Seeker. Neither the characters nor the universe belong to us, and we are making no money from this whatsoever.
*~*~*~*~*~
Previously on Legend of the Seeker:
Episode 3.01 - "Tremors"
Episode 3.02 - "Restoration"
Episode 3.03 - "Madness"
Episode 3.04 - "Found"
Episode 3.05 - "Night"
Episode 3.06 - "Choice"
Episode 3.07 - "Doubt"
Episode 3.08 - "Trust"
Episode 3.09 - "Instinct"
Episode 3.10 - "Harmony"
Episode 3.11 - "Allegiance"
*~*~*~*~*~
Episode 3.12 - "Villains"
*~*~*~*~*~
The encampment was eerily quiet as evening came. There were no men laughing and drinking around fires, sharing horror stories of the evils of magic. There were only solemn guards, pacing in hard lines or standing stiffly at the entrances to tents, their eyes vigilant to the point of paranoia. Fires burned low, providing just enough light to catch any potential invaders.
The only sound came from the large tent in the center of camp. The two guards at the entrance shared an uneasy glance as their general raged within.
"I will not stand for this!" Tobias boomed. His hand swept over the desk, scattering its contents to the floor. The inkwell went flying, splattering the wall of the tent with ink the color of blood. Lunetta ducked under it, rushing to secure the burning oil lamp that had miraculously escaped his fury. The Lord General's teeth glinted in the dim light as he grimaced, gesturing with clenched fists. "Every victory I claim, that witch steals from my grasp!"
"It is an outrage, brother." Lunetta looked up at him hesitantly, her shoulders tensed as though in expectation of a blow. His fierce glare burned into her in response, and she quickly corrected herself. "Lord General."
"Silence, woman!" he spat, stepping close to his sister. Her answering flinch seemed to satisfy something in him, and his anger cooled by a degree. He placed his hands on Lunetta's shoulders, his expression softening. "You are just as tainted by evil as she is. Don't ever fool yourself into thinking otherwise."
Lunetta nodded up at him in wide-eyed agreement. She opened her mouth to apologize, then thought better of it, directing her eyes downward to her clasped hands, as though by staring at them hard enough, she could wash them of the stain of magic. Tobias released her shoulders with a shove, turning away from her.
"Were it not for that treacherous snake of a Mord-Sith, I would have the Mother Confessor before me at this very moment." His voice was dangerously even as he paced the tent. "Instead she plots her own way to power, abandoning any thought of honor. But what more should I have expected from one of the Keeper's own whores?"
Lunetta peered up at him, unsure whether her brother expected a response. He stood with his back to her, his gaze fixed on the table in the corner. Where once it had proudly displayed his own sword, now it was littered with the spoils of his most recent capture. The Sword of Truth's scabbard glittered in the lamplight. Next to it lay another sword, in an elaborate red and gold scabbard, and the small rod of white leather that the Mord-Sith claimed as weapon. At the edge of the table rested two metal collars.
"Punishment will come to all of the Keeper's minions," Tobias said resolutely, reaching for the agiel. A barely audible whine came from the weapon as he trailed his fingertips over it. His lip curled in a sneer, but otherwise he gave no outward reaction to the pain. He withdrew his hand and the magic ceased its screaming. "She will die."
Lunetta nodded her agreement, moving to collect the scattered papers from the floor as Tobias sat heavily in his chair. She placed the stack before him on the desk, trying to put order to the disarray. Tobias paid her no mind, his eyes focused on the far wall of the tent.
"That still leaves the problem of the Mother Confessor," he mused, leaning forward on his elbows. His nostrils flared as his ire rose once more. "She will not get away with shaming me again."
"Lord General, if I may," Lunetta spoke hesitantly. Her shoulders stiffened as he turned to meet her eyes. She clasped her hands tightly in front of her, her confidence rising when he did not move to silence her. "You have not suffered a complete loss." Tobias tilted his head in interest, and she rushed on, a nervous smile growing on her face. "You have the Seeker. Surely the Mother Confessor will come after him."
"The perfect bait." The Lord General looked at his sister with something that almost resembled admiration. "She may be a witch, but she has the soft heart of a woman. She will not let the Seeker remain our prisoner." His mouth twisted into a vicious smile as his rage turned to excitement. "And when she arrives, we will be at the ready. We will crush the opposition once and for all."
A soft gasp drew their attention to the entrance of the tent.
"You're not going to hurt Kahlan, are you?" Jennsen asked, shock and fear written on her face. Lunetta looked to her with alarm, already thinking of explanations as she moved to comfort the girl.
"Of course not, child," Lunetta's demeanor changed completely when she addressed Jennsen. Her honeyed voice was almost maternal as she placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "You know how Tobias gets carried away." She looked back at her brother for confirmation.
Tobias cleared his throat, leaning back in his chair. "Lunetta is right." His voice was strained as he forced the words from his throat. "I would never harm the Mother Confessor. I'm just eager to get the chance to speak with her again, without her guards whispering lies in her ears."
Jennsen breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry for doubting you, General. I know you would never hurt anyone if you didn't have to."
His answering smile was almost sincere. "What can I do for you, Jennsen? It's late; you should be abed."
She swallowed nervously, Lunetta's hand dropping from her shoulder as she took a step toward the desk. "I was thinking about my brother."
Tobias' nostrils flared as he fought to keep his composure. "You understand why we had to take him. We don't know what the Mord-Sith told him, and we can't risk the Mother Confessor knowing of our plans before we have her on our side."
Jennsen nodded, taking another step. Lunetta eyed her warily. "Of course, Tobias." His eyebrow twitched in response to the informality, but he remained silent, his eyes urging her to continue. "But Richard has just as much reason to hate magic as I do. I'm sure if I could talk to him, I could convince him that he's been fighting on the wrong side."
Lunetta could see her brother's hands clenching, knuckles turning white as he held back harsh words. She hurried to the edge of the desk, words quick on her tongue. "Lord General, the girl may be on to something." She reached to cover one of his hands with her own, and his eyes snapped to hers in warning. She snatched her hand back, but her gaze was as sure as her words. "The bond of family is strong. If he is to listen to anyone, surely he would be most inclined to listen to his sister."
She nodded at him expectantly, her eyes shifting to Jennsen meaningfully.
Tobias grunted, forcing his hands to relax on the desk. He turned his eyes back to Jennsen. "Very well. You may speak to your brother in the morning."
Jennsen smiled, her face brightening as she closed the distance between her and the desk, clasping the Lord General's hands. He stiffened at the touch. "Thank you, Tobias."
"Think nothing of it." Tobias forced a smile to his face as he met Jennsen's eyes. He squeezed her hands affectionately. "Now to bed with you. You'll want to be well rested for the task."
Jennsen nodded, releasing his hands. The smile fell from his face as she left the tent, still smiling. Freed from the charade, Tobias gritted his teeth, letting his anger rise.
"Foolish child!" he burst out, careful to keep his voice low. "I care nothing for the Seeker's loyalties!"
"Surely it can't harm anything to let her try," Lunetta said carefully, moving behind her brother. She put her hands on his shoulders, flinching as they stiffened under her touch. She began to knead the tightened muscles as she spoke. "The pristinely ungifted one is too important to our cause. We cannot risk her displeasure."
Tobias relaxed slightly under Lunetta's hands. "Soon, dear sister, I will not have to concern myself with such deception. The Creator's light will flood the Midlands, and D'Hara beyond. The era of magic will come to an end."
Lunetta hummed her agreement as she continued her ministrations. Tobias gazed ahead of him, his eyes filled with dreams of glory.
*****
The moon provided precious little light for the prisoners, barely enough for them to make out each other's faces. Denna sat as far apart from the two men as their chains would allow, resting her shackled hands on her knees. She stared blankly, her lips turned into a frown, unaffected by Richard's probing gaze.
It was Darken who broke the uneasy silence. "Once again, dear brother, it is your softhearted nature that is your undoing." Richard's head whipped around to glare at him. Darken just sneered. "If you hadn't been so intent on rehabilitating our dear friend Denna, perhaps you'd have done a better job keeping watch."
"I wouldn't expect you to know anything about becoming a better person," Richard snapped moodily. He turned his head forward, gazing at the opening to the tent. "What could Jennsen be thinking, working for the Blood of the Fold?"
"Our sister can be quite gullible, Richard," Darken chuckled. "It didn't take much to convince her that you were an evil tyrant."
Richard's shoulders stiffened. "That says more about you and your lack of morals than it does about Jennsen." His face clouded. "She's a good person, and strong. I don't understand what could make her ally with murderers."
"People do things for all sorts of reasons, Seeker," Denna said wryly. "You yourself have joined with a notorious murderer to achieve your goals." Her eyes deliberately slid over to Rahl, who scowled at her obvious meaning. Richard shifted uncomfortably as he glanced between them, pondering her words. Denna smirked. "Jennsen is on their side. If I were you, I'd be more concerned with how you plan to get out of this mess." She gestured with her shackled hands to their surroundings.
"Out of the frypan and into the fire," Darken remarked. "I preferred being Denna's prisoner. At least we were allowed a fire."
"I think having our free will back is a little better than a fire," Richard replied. "Shackles are easier to get out of than those collars."
"Yes," Darken sneered, holding up his shackled hands. "All you need is the key."
"The key." The word sparked something in Richard's mind, and he raised his hands to his vest, frantically rummaging through the pockets. He came up empty, and his face fell. "Nicci's key. It's gone."
"You lost the key to the Rada'Han of the most powerful sorceress the world has ever known?" Darken's eyes widened with anger and disbelief.
Richard looked to Denna, hope flaring in his eyes. "Denna. Did you take a key from my vest?" Denna rolled her eyes in response, unconcerned. Richard pressed on. "That key is very important. I don't care if you took it, I just need to know."
Denna met his gaze. "I searched you both thoroughly when I captured you. I didn't find any key." Her lips twisted derisively as her eyes dropped lower. "Or anything else of interest."
Richard barely noticed the thinly veiled insult, too caught up in his panic.
"If Nicci is free of her Rada'Han," Darken said ominously, "the Blood of the Fold could be the least of our worries."
*****
Nicci was lying next to the fire, the flames glinting off of the metal collar around her neck. Her eyes were open, gazing blankly into the fire. She appeared to be asleep. Dahlia watched her surreptitiously as her sisters conversed.
"This is ridiculous," Berdine huffed, her arms crossed over her chest in irritation. "Lord Rahl is still captive, and we stop so the wizard can rest?" Raina was silent, letting her lover rant. "And don't even get me started on those two," she seethed, her eyes flashing as they fell on the sleeping women across the fire.
Dahlia followed her gaze. Cara was lying on her back, fast asleep. Kahlan was curled half on top of her, arm and leg slung over the blonde, her head resting on Cara's shoulder as she slumbered. Both had sleepy hints of smiles touching their lips. Dahlia rolled her eyes, her lips curling in distaste, and she turned her attention back to her sisters.
Berdine raged on. "If we didn't have these people dragging us down, making us stop every few feet to rest, we'd have found Lord Rahl by now." Raina nodded her agreement.
"Lord Rahl ordered us to ally with the Seeker and his friends," Dahlia interjected, earning herself two icy glares. "I doubt he would be pleased if we lost their support, which we surely would if we left them behind."
"Said as though you care about Lord Rahl's wishes," Berdine sneered. "It's clear to anyone with eyes that you care more about staying close to Mistress Cara."
A quick glance at Raina found no support. Dahlia scowled, turning on her heel. A triumphant smirk flickered over Berdine's lips as she watched her retreat. It was quickly replaced by displeasure as her thoughts returned to more pressing concerns.
"She has a point." Raina's voice was soft and even.
Berdine's head whipped around to pin Raina with a glare. "You're taking her side?"
Raina stepped in front of Berdine, resting her hands on the woman's shoulders. "We cannot disobey Lord Rahl," she said firmly.
Berdine huffed, but Raina could see that she had won. "Fine. We'll stay with this band of pathetic misfits for the time being."
A sultry smile stole across Raina's lips, her dark eyes sparkling. "Since we won't be getting any closer to Lord Rahl tonight," she began, her fingers trailing down to the strap connecting Berdine's neck-guard and corset, "allow me to distract you from your concerns."
Berdine's eyes darkened, and she returned the smile. "I'm sure Mistress Dahlia can keep watch."
Raina leaned in to brush her lips over her lover's. Berdine's tongue snaked out of her mouth, flicking at Raina's lips. Gloved hands laced together, and Berdine led Raina into the darkness of the trees.
Dahlia watched them disappear, displeasure written across her face.
"You're jealous."
Dahlia's eyes shot to Nicci, who smirked up at her as she pushed herself up to a sit cross-legged before the fire.
"Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?" Dahlia responded irritably, averting her eyes.
Nicci's gaze bore into her, a smirk still tugging at her lips. "I didn't know you cared."
"I don't," Dahlia snapped, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "And I am not jealous."
Nicci glanced over at Cara and Kahlan, then at the trees Berdine and Raina had slipped through. "You're surrounded by fools in love, it's natural to want something for yourself."
Dahlia shifted uncomfortably. "I'm surrounded by weakness," she spat. "Why would I ever desire to stoop to such a level?"
"I'm sure they could offer compelling reasons," Nicci said drily, gesturing toward the sleeping women. "But I tend to agree with you. To allow yourself to rely so completely on another person for your happiness...it's beyond comprehension."
Dahlia's expression was conflicted as she looked back at Nicci, the sorceress idly poking at the fire with a stick.
"Mord-Sith are taught that Lord Rahl's happiness is of primary importance," she offered, sitting down on the log behind Nicci. "Our happiness is but an extension of his."
"And how is that working out for you?" Nicci's expression was unreadable, but the sarcasm in her tone was not lost on Dahlia. Silence fell over them as Dahlia stared into the fire.
"The Lord Rahl I know, the one I was trained to serve, he was worthy of my service. I would have done anything to please him." She looked down at her gloved hands, searching for words. "This Lord Rahl..." Her mouth snapped shut. There were many things she wished to say, but Dahlia could not bring herself to speak against her lord.
Nicci understood. "I don't know your Lord Rahl, but I can certainly sympathize with your feelings regarding this one." Her voice turned bitter. "I had more power than that pitiful man could dream of. I was going to rule this world."
Dahlia cocked her head in interest. "They don't speak of your capture. What happened?"
"Cara killed me," Nicci sneered, glaring at the woman in question. "Rahl had one of your sisters revive me, but not before putting this around my neck." Her fingers tugged uselessly at the Rada'Han. "It's my own good fortune, I suppose, that he's been too distracted to make good on his promises of vengeance."
"Vengeance?" Dahlia asked, intrigued.
A smile curled Nicci's lips at the memory. "I may have warmed his bathwater a bit more than was comfortable."
Dahlia couldn't help but chuckle as Nicci's meaning set in. They lapsed into a brief silence, both gazing into the flames.
"Lord Rahl may have had less than noble intentions in reviving you," Dahlia began, her expression contemplative, "but nonetheless, you are alive." She glanced down at the blonde. "You may not be in that collar forever."
Nicci's brow creased as she tried to decipher Dahlia's words. Dahlia's expression betrayed nothing, though, and she gave up, looking back into the fire. "One can only hope."
Dahlia looked down at the back of Nicci's head, her eyes conflicted as she lost herself in thought.
*****
ROLL CREDITS
*****
The morning sun shone bright in the sky, illuminating the red in Jennsen's hair as she strolled through the encampment. Soldiers milled around, going about their duties all around her. She smiled at a pair as they passed, and they bowed their heads slightly in reply, returning the smile. A few steps farther, she nearly ran into another, and laughed as she stepped out of the way.
"Sorry about that," the man said gruffly. He was a large man, tall and imposing, but Jennsen just smiled fondly and reached out to place a hand on his arm.
"Think nothing of it, Vargus," Jennsen replied, her brow furrowing with concern. "How is your son?"
Vargus' eyes brightened. "I received word yesterday that he is improving. He's almost completely purged the magic that so sickened him."
"I'm glad to hear it." Her expression lifted. She squeezed his arm. "I'll keep him in my thoughts, and pray for a quick recovery."
"Thank you, Jennsen." Vargus bowed his head to her before taking his leave. Jennsen watched him go for a moment before hurrying to her own destination.
"Good morning, Moran, Geoffrey," she greeted the guards outside the prisoners' tent. They nodded to her in response. "Have you had word from your families?"
Geoffrey, the one on the right, cleared his throat. "I received a message just yesterday. Celia is managing the farm alright on her own, but Noah keeps asking when I'm coming home."
Jennsen reached for his hand, clasping it in hers. "With any luck, this war will end, and you can be home with them before winter comes."
A grunt to Jennsen's left drew her attention to Moran, the other guard. He clenched his jaw, fighting back tears. Jennsen dropped Geoffrey's hand, concern flooding her face as she turned toward the other man.
"Moran? What's wrong?"
The man's shoulders shook as he choked back a sob. "I, too, got word yesterday. Lurella was killed when a crazed shadrin stormed the village."
Jennsen pulled him into her arms, hugging him fiercely. "I am so sorry."
"Our village is far from any caves," he said, returning the embrace. "The elders are saying only magic could have forced one so far from its home."
After a moment, Jennsen pulled back, tears welling up in her own eyes. "We're going to put an end to all of this death, I promise you." Her voice trembled with emotion, but her expression was firm. "The Lord General won't let us down."
Moran nodded, sniffing back his tears as he straightened his posture. Jennsen allowed him what little privacy he could manage to compose himself, turning back to Geoffrey.
"I'm here to see my brother." The guard nodded, reaching behind him to open the flap of the tent. Jennsen stepped through, warily scanning the occupants. Her eyes brightened as they fell on her brother. "Richard!" she exclaimed, falling to her knees to wrap her arms around him.
Richard received the embrace, unable to return it due to his shackles. When Jennsen pulled back, he pinned her with a searching gaze. "Jennsen, what's going on? What are you doing here?"
"I'm doing the Creator's work," she said defensively. "Magic brings nothing but pain and death to this world."
Richard gaped at her. "You sound like one of them. How can you fight alongside cold-blooded killers?"
"Killers?" Jennsen's eyes flashed with resolve as she backed away from Richard. "Tobias saved me!" She stood, crossing her arms over her chest. "After you left to go kill Darken Rahl," her eyes flicked over to her other brother, who bristled at the reminder, "I stayed with Sean. He needed help raising his daughter, since her mother was killed by Rahl's magical plague." Tears sprang to her eyes anew as she relived the memory. "Eryn was like a little sister to me, and Sean became one of the best friends I've ever had."
Darken rolled his eyes at the sentimentality. A quick glance at Denna told him she appreciated the emotional drivel just as much as he did. Richard's eyes were fixed on his sister, however.
Jennsen gulped back a sob as she continued. "It was almost like having a family again. But then the banelings came." Tears streamed down her face in earnest, her shoulders shaking. "Sean tried to fight them off. I wanted to help, but he told me to hide with Eryn. We had almost made it to the cellar when Sean fell. I tried to hold Eryn back, but she ran to her father. I couldn't pull her back in time."
Richard's face softened in sympathy. "I'm so sorry, Jennsen," he said sadly.
Jennsen ignored him, her voice growing resolute. "They would have killed me too. But before those awful creatures could reach me, they were cut down by Tobias' sword." She wiped at her face, drying the tears with her sleeves. "He saved me, Richard. He and Lunetta took me in when I had nowhere else to go."
Richard fumbled for words, his brow furrowed in shock. "I can understand why you'd feel indebted to them, but Jennsen...you can't possibly think that ridding the world of magic is the right thing to do."
"Why not?" Jennsen's voice softened as she knelt before Richard again, taking his shackled hands in hers. "Ever since magic came into my life, it's done nothing but cause pain. Magic killed our mother, Richard." Her eyes flicked pointedly to Denna, who smiled back at her with exaggerated sweetness. She shivered nervously as she turned her eyes back to her brother. "It was magic that tore the rift and allowed banelings to come into this world. Everywhere you look, magic is ruining someone's life."
Richard was silent for a long moment, wrestling with his thoughts.
"Don't tell me you're buying this, brother," Rahl scoffed, turning to face his sister. "If you wish to wax on about the evils of magic, you're perfectly welcome to do so. But only a fool would believe that the Blood of the Fold is benevolent."
Jennsen's face hardened as she glared fiercely. "And what would you even know of the word?"
Amusement touched Darken's lips. "My dear sister, I realize that we haven't truly gotten the chance to know one another -"
"Because all you've ever done is lie to me!" she retorted, her voice shaking.
Darken smiled. "Not everything I told you was a lie, sister." He gestured dismissively with his hand. "But that's besides the point. Whatever you choose to believe about my own intentions, you can't deny the atrocities perpetrated by the Blood of the Fold." Seeing confusion crease Jennsen's brow, he continued. "Or do you not know what happened in Ebynissia?"
Jennsen was silent, her mind working to recognize the name. Bewilderment shone in her eyes as she looked over at Rahl.
Darken's smile turned to a sneer, his voice harsh as he spoke. "Thousands of men, women, and children slaughtered like livestock because they would not submit to the Fold's beliefs. Old and young alike piled in heaps like so much rubble, all for the sake of ridding the world of magic."
Jennsen's face was flooded with horror and disbelief. At her questioning glance, Richard nodded sadly, his expression haunted by the memory.
"I was there, after the army was gone. I saw it all with my own eyes." His gaze was kind, but firm. "Jennsen, these people don't just want to get rid of magic. They want to destroy anyone who has it - and anyone who stands in their way."
She shook her head, rising to her feet. "No. Tobias may have a temper, but he would never kill innocent people. Children. There's got to be another explanation."
Darken breathed an exaggerated sigh. "Have you heard enough yet, brother?" He looked over at Richard, exasperated. "She's not going to be swayed."
Richard kept his focus on his slowly retreating sister. "Jennsen, please -"
Jennsen shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry, Richard. I thought I could make you see the truth." Tears threatened to fall again as she turned and hurried from the tent.
Richard turned to glare at his brother. "Nice going. We're not going to convince her to help us by scaring her off."
"Help us?" Denna laughed. "And here I thought you were actually concerned for your sister."
He turned his gaze to Denna, and the intensity of it made her smile fade. "I am. But she also might be our best chance at getting out of here alive. If we can loosen Brogan's hold on her, we can save her and escape."
*****
Zedd waved his hands over the small depression in the earth; the ground rippled as the hollow filled with water. Satisfied, he leaned back on his heels, meeting Shota's unimpressed gaze.
"It's not what I'm accustomed to," Shota huffed, "but I suppose it will suffice." Placing her hands on her knees, Shota stared into the water, searching for things only she could see.
His task completed, Zedd let his gaze drift over the rest of the camp. Nicci and Dahlia sat close to one another, engaging in idle conversation. Berdine and Raina stood somewhat apart from them; Berdine seemed a fraction more cheerful this morning, Zedd noticed. His expression became pained as his eyes landed on Kahlan and Cara.
He sighed softly, jarring Shota from her scrying. She glared up at him. "If you're going to brood over the Mother Confessor's fate, Zeddicus, could you perhaps do it somewhere less distracting?"
Zedd looked back at her with a sad smile. "I apologize, Shota. I'll leave you to your task." He stood, looking around the camp again and muttering to himself. "There's got to be some food left over from breakfast."
Shota shook her head, turning back to the pool of water.
Cara slid her pack over her shoulders, huffing in irritation when her hair got caught in the strap. Kahlan smiled fondly, reaching to help free it.
"Your hair's getting long," Kahlan noted, her fingers brushing through the blonde tresses. Cara stiffened under the attention, but did not shrug Kahlan's hand away as she once might have done.
"Maybe I'll be able to braid it again soon," Cara suggested. "It would be nice to have it out of my eyes."
Kahlan leaned back, trying to imagine it. With a slight shake of her head, she tucked the hair she'd been stroking behind Cara's ear, sliding down to tug gently at the ends. "I think this suits you."
Cara hesitantly returned Kahlan's soft smile, and the pair fell silent for a moment, letting their eyes speak for them. The moment was shattered when Shota called out from her place on the ground. All eyes in the camp fell on the witch woman kneeling before the pool of water.
"I know where we must go."
*****
Jennsen hugged her arms to herself as she made her way through the camp. She was torn from her thoughts by angry shouts. Turning toward the noise, Jennsen saw two new prisoners being brought in. They wore what looked like faded rags, and strips of cloth covered their heads. The man struggled against the guards who held him, while the woman pleaded.
"Please, we are peaceful people!" she insisted, keeping her body limp and unresisting as the guards dragged her through the camp. She was an older woman, her clothing more ornate than the young man's. "We are Minders. We do not believe in violence." The woman grunted in pain as one of the guards jerked her arm more roughly than necessary. Jennsen recognized him as Vargus, the man she had greeted so recently. She stared in shock as he stopped abruptly, turning on the old woman.
"Still your tongue, witch, or we'll cut it out." Jennsen's eyes widened in horror at his words.
The young man jerked against his captors, his face twisted in fury. "It's no use, Mother. These people won't hear anything you say."
The woman looked at him sadly. "Kur, please, stop resisting. It only provokes their violence." Kur sneered in response, never ceasing his struggle. She shook her head, addressing Vargus once more. "Please, let us go," she entreated calmly. "We are not a threat to you."
Jennsen gasped as Vargus backhanded the woman, knocking her to her knees. "Magic of any kind is a threat to everyone."
"Vargus!" Jennsen exclaimed, finding her words. She reached to place a hand on his raised arm. "What are you doing?"
"Back off, Jennsen," Vargus warned gruffly, shrugging off her hand. "You don't understand the danger these creatures pose." He spat on the ground in front of the kneeling woman before reaching for her arm again.
Jennsen stared as they pushed past her, dragging the prisoners to their tent. Confusion glittered in her eyes.
*****
Tobias was alone in his tent, carefully examining a map that was spread across his desk. He looked up as a guard poked his head into the tent.
"Jennsen to see you, Lord General."
Tobias nodded, swallowing back his irritation. "Let her in."
Jennsen stepped into the tent, still trembling from what she'd just seen.
Tobias smiled warmly at her. "Come in, child." He gestured toward the chests lining one wall of the tent, and Jennsen perched on the edge of one, hugging her arms to herself. Tobias gentled his voice. "What can I do for you?"
Jennsen looked at him uneasily, her brow furrowed as she struggled to find words. "I-I wanted to ask you..." His eyes urged her to continue. "What happened in Ebynissia?"
The Lord General's face fell. He rose from his seat, moving to stand before Jennsen. She looked up at him as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Has the Seeker been filling your head with lies?"
"He said the people there were slaughtered." Her voice wavered. "By your men."
Tobias inhaled sharply, biting back his anger. Noting Jennsen's alarmed expression, he sighed, dropping to one knee to look her in the eyes. He reached out to gently grasp her elbows. "Jennsen, what happened to Ebynissia was a tragedy. But my men were not the cause. The people of that village had been divided by a magical war for months, both sides wanting more of the tainted power for their own." His voice burned with such passion that it seemed to Jennsen he must be telling the truth. "I sent a small force of men to try to defuse the conflict, but they were no match for the Keeper's evil. They were killed to a man."
"Oh." Jennsen looked down at the floor, her thoughts not yet at ease. Tobias tucked a finger under her chin, raising her eyes to his.
"Is there something else bothering you, child?"
She kept her gaze firmly locked on his as she drew a steadying breath. "On my way over here, I saw Vargus and some other men bringing in new prisoners. They called themselves Minders." Her face clouded in confusion at the term, but quickly cleared as she moved on to her point. "They said they weren't violent, but the guards were being awful to them."
Tobias leaned back on his heel, drawing a hand over his face. His jaw clenched as he responded. "Jennsen, you are still so young." He shook his head, his voice gently insistent. "The Keeper's minions are devious creatures. Do you expect them to announce their intentions like honorable people?"
Jennsen shook her head slowly, her confusion beginning to clear. Tobias forced a smile at the sight. He rose to sit next to Jennsen, throwing an arm over her shoulders.
"I'm going to tell you the ugly truth about these Minders," he said calmly. "And your brother."
Jennsen turned her head to look at him in alarm. "What does Richard have to do with it?"
"Everything," he sighed. "These so-called peaceful people massacred an entire village. And they did so under the command of the Seeker."
Jennsen started, shaking her head in protest. "Richard would never do that. He's a good man."
Tobias' eyes hardened. "Magic can turn the best of men into monsters." He paused, letting his words sink in. When Jennsen didn't offer further argument, he patted her shoulder and stood, offering her his hand. "Come, cease your worrying. You are on the side of the Creator herself."
Jennsen took his hand, pulling herself to her feet. The Lord General's eyes followed her out of the tent, his lip curling in disgust when she was out of sight.
*****
continue to Episode 3.12 - Villains - part 2
*~*~*~*~*~
Previously on Legend of the Seeker:
Episode 3.01 - "Tremors"
Episode 3.02 - "Restoration"
Episode 3.03 - "Madness"
Episode 3.04 - "Found"
Episode 3.05 - "Night"
Episode 3.06 - "Choice"
Episode 3.07 - "Doubt"
Episode 3.08 - "Trust"
Episode 3.09 - "Instinct"
Episode 3.10 - "Harmony"
Episode 3.11 - "Allegiance"
*~*~*~*~*~
Episode 3.12 - "Villains"
*~*~*~*~*~
The encampment was eerily quiet as evening came. There were no men laughing and drinking around fires, sharing horror stories of the evils of magic. There were only solemn guards, pacing in hard lines or standing stiffly at the entrances to tents, their eyes vigilant to the point of paranoia. Fires burned low, providing just enough light to catch any potential invaders.
The only sound came from the large tent in the center of camp. The two guards at the entrance shared an uneasy glance as their general raged within.
"I will not stand for this!" Tobias boomed. His hand swept over the desk, scattering its contents to the floor. The inkwell went flying, splattering the wall of the tent with ink the color of blood. Lunetta ducked under it, rushing to secure the burning oil lamp that had miraculously escaped his fury. The Lord General's teeth glinted in the dim light as he grimaced, gesturing with clenched fists. "Every victory I claim, that witch steals from my grasp!"
"It is an outrage, brother." Lunetta looked up at him hesitantly, her shoulders tensed as though in expectation of a blow. His fierce glare burned into her in response, and she quickly corrected herself. "Lord General."
"Silence, woman!" he spat, stepping close to his sister. Her answering flinch seemed to satisfy something in him, and his anger cooled by a degree. He placed his hands on Lunetta's shoulders, his expression softening. "You are just as tainted by evil as she is. Don't ever fool yourself into thinking otherwise."
Lunetta nodded up at him in wide-eyed agreement. She opened her mouth to apologize, then thought better of it, directing her eyes downward to her clasped hands, as though by staring at them hard enough, she could wash them of the stain of magic. Tobias released her shoulders with a shove, turning away from her.
"Were it not for that treacherous snake of a Mord-Sith, I would have the Mother Confessor before me at this very moment." His voice was dangerously even as he paced the tent. "Instead she plots her own way to power, abandoning any thought of honor. But what more should I have expected from one of the Keeper's own whores?"
Lunetta peered up at him, unsure whether her brother expected a response. He stood with his back to her, his gaze fixed on the table in the corner. Where once it had proudly displayed his own sword, now it was littered with the spoils of his most recent capture. The Sword of Truth's scabbard glittered in the lamplight. Next to it lay another sword, in an elaborate red and gold scabbard, and the small rod of white leather that the Mord-Sith claimed as weapon. At the edge of the table rested two metal collars.
"Punishment will come to all of the Keeper's minions," Tobias said resolutely, reaching for the agiel. A barely audible whine came from the weapon as he trailed his fingertips over it. His lip curled in a sneer, but otherwise he gave no outward reaction to the pain. He withdrew his hand and the magic ceased its screaming. "She will die."
Lunetta nodded her agreement, moving to collect the scattered papers from the floor as Tobias sat heavily in his chair. She placed the stack before him on the desk, trying to put order to the disarray. Tobias paid her no mind, his eyes focused on the far wall of the tent.
"That still leaves the problem of the Mother Confessor," he mused, leaning forward on his elbows. His nostrils flared as his ire rose once more. "She will not get away with shaming me again."
"Lord General, if I may," Lunetta spoke hesitantly. Her shoulders stiffened as he turned to meet her eyes. She clasped her hands tightly in front of her, her confidence rising when he did not move to silence her. "You have not suffered a complete loss." Tobias tilted his head in interest, and she rushed on, a nervous smile growing on her face. "You have the Seeker. Surely the Mother Confessor will come after him."
"The perfect bait." The Lord General looked at his sister with something that almost resembled admiration. "She may be a witch, but she has the soft heart of a woman. She will not let the Seeker remain our prisoner." His mouth twisted into a vicious smile as his rage turned to excitement. "And when she arrives, we will be at the ready. We will crush the opposition once and for all."
A soft gasp drew their attention to the entrance of the tent.
"You're not going to hurt Kahlan, are you?" Jennsen asked, shock and fear written on her face. Lunetta looked to her with alarm, already thinking of explanations as she moved to comfort the girl.
"Of course not, child," Lunetta's demeanor changed completely when she addressed Jennsen. Her honeyed voice was almost maternal as she placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "You know how Tobias gets carried away." She looked back at her brother for confirmation.
Tobias cleared his throat, leaning back in his chair. "Lunetta is right." His voice was strained as he forced the words from his throat. "I would never harm the Mother Confessor. I'm just eager to get the chance to speak with her again, without her guards whispering lies in her ears."
Jennsen breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry for doubting you, General. I know you would never hurt anyone if you didn't have to."
His answering smile was almost sincere. "What can I do for you, Jennsen? It's late; you should be abed."
She swallowed nervously, Lunetta's hand dropping from her shoulder as she took a step toward the desk. "I was thinking about my brother."
Tobias' nostrils flared as he fought to keep his composure. "You understand why we had to take him. We don't know what the Mord-Sith told him, and we can't risk the Mother Confessor knowing of our plans before we have her on our side."
Jennsen nodded, taking another step. Lunetta eyed her warily. "Of course, Tobias." His eyebrow twitched in response to the informality, but he remained silent, his eyes urging her to continue. "But Richard has just as much reason to hate magic as I do. I'm sure if I could talk to him, I could convince him that he's been fighting on the wrong side."
Lunetta could see her brother's hands clenching, knuckles turning white as he held back harsh words. She hurried to the edge of the desk, words quick on her tongue. "Lord General, the girl may be on to something." She reached to cover one of his hands with her own, and his eyes snapped to hers in warning. She snatched her hand back, but her gaze was as sure as her words. "The bond of family is strong. If he is to listen to anyone, surely he would be most inclined to listen to his sister."
She nodded at him expectantly, her eyes shifting to Jennsen meaningfully.
Tobias grunted, forcing his hands to relax on the desk. He turned his eyes back to Jennsen. "Very well. You may speak to your brother in the morning."
Jennsen smiled, her face brightening as she closed the distance between her and the desk, clasping the Lord General's hands. He stiffened at the touch. "Thank you, Tobias."
"Think nothing of it." Tobias forced a smile to his face as he met Jennsen's eyes. He squeezed her hands affectionately. "Now to bed with you. You'll want to be well rested for the task."
Jennsen nodded, releasing his hands. The smile fell from his face as she left the tent, still smiling. Freed from the charade, Tobias gritted his teeth, letting his anger rise.
"Foolish child!" he burst out, careful to keep his voice low. "I care nothing for the Seeker's loyalties!"
"Surely it can't harm anything to let her try," Lunetta said carefully, moving behind her brother. She put her hands on his shoulders, flinching as they stiffened under her touch. She began to knead the tightened muscles as she spoke. "The pristinely ungifted one is too important to our cause. We cannot risk her displeasure."
Tobias relaxed slightly under Lunetta's hands. "Soon, dear sister, I will not have to concern myself with such deception. The Creator's light will flood the Midlands, and D'Hara beyond. The era of magic will come to an end."
Lunetta hummed her agreement as she continued her ministrations. Tobias gazed ahead of him, his eyes filled with dreams of glory.
*****
The moon provided precious little light for the prisoners, barely enough for them to make out each other's faces. Denna sat as far apart from the two men as their chains would allow, resting her shackled hands on her knees. She stared blankly, her lips turned into a frown, unaffected by Richard's probing gaze.
It was Darken who broke the uneasy silence. "Once again, dear brother, it is your softhearted nature that is your undoing." Richard's head whipped around to glare at him. Darken just sneered. "If you hadn't been so intent on rehabilitating our dear friend Denna, perhaps you'd have done a better job keeping watch."
"I wouldn't expect you to know anything about becoming a better person," Richard snapped moodily. He turned his head forward, gazing at the opening to the tent. "What could Jennsen be thinking, working for the Blood of the Fold?"
"Our sister can be quite gullible, Richard," Darken chuckled. "It didn't take much to convince her that you were an evil tyrant."
Richard's shoulders stiffened. "That says more about you and your lack of morals than it does about Jennsen." His face clouded. "She's a good person, and strong. I don't understand what could make her ally with murderers."
"People do things for all sorts of reasons, Seeker," Denna said wryly. "You yourself have joined with a notorious murderer to achieve your goals." Her eyes deliberately slid over to Rahl, who scowled at her obvious meaning. Richard shifted uncomfortably as he glanced between them, pondering her words. Denna smirked. "Jennsen is on their side. If I were you, I'd be more concerned with how you plan to get out of this mess." She gestured with her shackled hands to their surroundings.
"Out of the frypan and into the fire," Darken remarked. "I preferred being Denna's prisoner. At least we were allowed a fire."
"I think having our free will back is a little better than a fire," Richard replied. "Shackles are easier to get out of than those collars."
"Yes," Darken sneered, holding up his shackled hands. "All you need is the key."
"The key." The word sparked something in Richard's mind, and he raised his hands to his vest, frantically rummaging through the pockets. He came up empty, and his face fell. "Nicci's key. It's gone."
"You lost the key to the Rada'Han of the most powerful sorceress the world has ever known?" Darken's eyes widened with anger and disbelief.
Richard looked to Denna, hope flaring in his eyes. "Denna. Did you take a key from my vest?" Denna rolled her eyes in response, unconcerned. Richard pressed on. "That key is very important. I don't care if you took it, I just need to know."
Denna met his gaze. "I searched you both thoroughly when I captured you. I didn't find any key." Her lips twisted derisively as her eyes dropped lower. "Or anything else of interest."
Richard barely noticed the thinly veiled insult, too caught up in his panic.
"If Nicci is free of her Rada'Han," Darken said ominously, "the Blood of the Fold could be the least of our worries."
*****
Nicci was lying next to the fire, the flames glinting off of the metal collar around her neck. Her eyes were open, gazing blankly into the fire. She appeared to be asleep. Dahlia watched her surreptitiously as her sisters conversed.
"This is ridiculous," Berdine huffed, her arms crossed over her chest in irritation. "Lord Rahl is still captive, and we stop so the wizard can rest?" Raina was silent, letting her lover rant. "And don't even get me started on those two," she seethed, her eyes flashing as they fell on the sleeping women across the fire.
Dahlia followed her gaze. Cara was lying on her back, fast asleep. Kahlan was curled half on top of her, arm and leg slung over the blonde, her head resting on Cara's shoulder as she slumbered. Both had sleepy hints of smiles touching their lips. Dahlia rolled her eyes, her lips curling in distaste, and she turned her attention back to her sisters.
Berdine raged on. "If we didn't have these people dragging us down, making us stop every few feet to rest, we'd have found Lord Rahl by now." Raina nodded her agreement.
"Lord Rahl ordered us to ally with the Seeker and his friends," Dahlia interjected, earning herself two icy glares. "I doubt he would be pleased if we lost their support, which we surely would if we left them behind."
"Said as though you care about Lord Rahl's wishes," Berdine sneered. "It's clear to anyone with eyes that you care more about staying close to Mistress Cara."
A quick glance at Raina found no support. Dahlia scowled, turning on her heel. A triumphant smirk flickered over Berdine's lips as she watched her retreat. It was quickly replaced by displeasure as her thoughts returned to more pressing concerns.
"She has a point." Raina's voice was soft and even.
Berdine's head whipped around to pin Raina with a glare. "You're taking her side?"
Raina stepped in front of Berdine, resting her hands on the woman's shoulders. "We cannot disobey Lord Rahl," she said firmly.
Berdine huffed, but Raina could see that she had won. "Fine. We'll stay with this band of pathetic misfits for the time being."
A sultry smile stole across Raina's lips, her dark eyes sparkling. "Since we won't be getting any closer to Lord Rahl tonight," she began, her fingers trailing down to the strap connecting Berdine's neck-guard and corset, "allow me to distract you from your concerns."
Berdine's eyes darkened, and she returned the smile. "I'm sure Mistress Dahlia can keep watch."
Raina leaned in to brush her lips over her lover's. Berdine's tongue snaked out of her mouth, flicking at Raina's lips. Gloved hands laced together, and Berdine led Raina into the darkness of the trees.
Dahlia watched them disappear, displeasure written across her face.
"You're jealous."
Dahlia's eyes shot to Nicci, who smirked up at her as she pushed herself up to a sit cross-legged before the fire.
"Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?" Dahlia responded irritably, averting her eyes.
Nicci's gaze bore into her, a smirk still tugging at her lips. "I didn't know you cared."
"I don't," Dahlia snapped, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "And I am not jealous."
Nicci glanced over at Cara and Kahlan, then at the trees Berdine and Raina had slipped through. "You're surrounded by fools in love, it's natural to want something for yourself."
Dahlia shifted uncomfortably. "I'm surrounded by weakness," she spat. "Why would I ever desire to stoop to such a level?"
"I'm sure they could offer compelling reasons," Nicci said drily, gesturing toward the sleeping women. "But I tend to agree with you. To allow yourself to rely so completely on another person for your happiness...it's beyond comprehension."
Dahlia's expression was conflicted as she looked back at Nicci, the sorceress idly poking at the fire with a stick.
"Mord-Sith are taught that Lord Rahl's happiness is of primary importance," she offered, sitting down on the log behind Nicci. "Our happiness is but an extension of his."
"And how is that working out for you?" Nicci's expression was unreadable, but the sarcasm in her tone was not lost on Dahlia. Silence fell over them as Dahlia stared into the fire.
"The Lord Rahl I know, the one I was trained to serve, he was worthy of my service. I would have done anything to please him." She looked down at her gloved hands, searching for words. "This Lord Rahl..." Her mouth snapped shut. There were many things she wished to say, but Dahlia could not bring herself to speak against her lord.
Nicci understood. "I don't know your Lord Rahl, but I can certainly sympathize with your feelings regarding this one." Her voice turned bitter. "I had more power than that pitiful man could dream of. I was going to rule this world."
Dahlia cocked her head in interest. "They don't speak of your capture. What happened?"
"Cara killed me," Nicci sneered, glaring at the woman in question. "Rahl had one of your sisters revive me, but not before putting this around my neck." Her fingers tugged uselessly at the Rada'Han. "It's my own good fortune, I suppose, that he's been too distracted to make good on his promises of vengeance."
"Vengeance?" Dahlia asked, intrigued.
A smile curled Nicci's lips at the memory. "I may have warmed his bathwater a bit more than was comfortable."
Dahlia couldn't help but chuckle as Nicci's meaning set in. They lapsed into a brief silence, both gazing into the flames.
"Lord Rahl may have had less than noble intentions in reviving you," Dahlia began, her expression contemplative, "but nonetheless, you are alive." She glanced down at the blonde. "You may not be in that collar forever."
Nicci's brow creased as she tried to decipher Dahlia's words. Dahlia's expression betrayed nothing, though, and she gave up, looking back into the fire. "One can only hope."
Dahlia looked down at the back of Nicci's head, her eyes conflicted as she lost herself in thought.
*****
ROLL CREDITS
*****
The morning sun shone bright in the sky, illuminating the red in Jennsen's hair as she strolled through the encampment. Soldiers milled around, going about their duties all around her. She smiled at a pair as they passed, and they bowed their heads slightly in reply, returning the smile. A few steps farther, she nearly ran into another, and laughed as she stepped out of the way.
"Sorry about that," the man said gruffly. He was a large man, tall and imposing, but Jennsen just smiled fondly and reached out to place a hand on his arm.
"Think nothing of it, Vargus," Jennsen replied, her brow furrowing with concern. "How is your son?"
Vargus' eyes brightened. "I received word yesterday that he is improving. He's almost completely purged the magic that so sickened him."
"I'm glad to hear it." Her expression lifted. She squeezed his arm. "I'll keep him in my thoughts, and pray for a quick recovery."
"Thank you, Jennsen." Vargus bowed his head to her before taking his leave. Jennsen watched him go for a moment before hurrying to her own destination.
"Good morning, Moran, Geoffrey," she greeted the guards outside the prisoners' tent. They nodded to her in response. "Have you had word from your families?"
Geoffrey, the one on the right, cleared his throat. "I received a message just yesterday. Celia is managing the farm alright on her own, but Noah keeps asking when I'm coming home."
Jennsen reached for his hand, clasping it in hers. "With any luck, this war will end, and you can be home with them before winter comes."
A grunt to Jennsen's left drew her attention to Moran, the other guard. He clenched his jaw, fighting back tears. Jennsen dropped Geoffrey's hand, concern flooding her face as she turned toward the other man.
"Moran? What's wrong?"
The man's shoulders shook as he choked back a sob. "I, too, got word yesterday. Lurella was killed when a crazed shadrin stormed the village."
Jennsen pulled him into her arms, hugging him fiercely. "I am so sorry."
"Our village is far from any caves," he said, returning the embrace. "The elders are saying only magic could have forced one so far from its home."
After a moment, Jennsen pulled back, tears welling up in her own eyes. "We're going to put an end to all of this death, I promise you." Her voice trembled with emotion, but her expression was firm. "The Lord General won't let us down."
Moran nodded, sniffing back his tears as he straightened his posture. Jennsen allowed him what little privacy he could manage to compose himself, turning back to Geoffrey.
"I'm here to see my brother." The guard nodded, reaching behind him to open the flap of the tent. Jennsen stepped through, warily scanning the occupants. Her eyes brightened as they fell on her brother. "Richard!" she exclaimed, falling to her knees to wrap her arms around him.
Richard received the embrace, unable to return it due to his shackles. When Jennsen pulled back, he pinned her with a searching gaze. "Jennsen, what's going on? What are you doing here?"
"I'm doing the Creator's work," she said defensively. "Magic brings nothing but pain and death to this world."
Richard gaped at her. "You sound like one of them. How can you fight alongside cold-blooded killers?"
"Killers?" Jennsen's eyes flashed with resolve as she backed away from Richard. "Tobias saved me!" She stood, crossing her arms over her chest. "After you left to go kill Darken Rahl," her eyes flicked over to her other brother, who bristled at the reminder, "I stayed with Sean. He needed help raising his daughter, since her mother was killed by Rahl's magical plague." Tears sprang to her eyes anew as she relived the memory. "Eryn was like a little sister to me, and Sean became one of the best friends I've ever had."
Darken rolled his eyes at the sentimentality. A quick glance at Denna told him she appreciated the emotional drivel just as much as he did. Richard's eyes were fixed on his sister, however.
Jennsen gulped back a sob as she continued. "It was almost like having a family again. But then the banelings came." Tears streamed down her face in earnest, her shoulders shaking. "Sean tried to fight them off. I wanted to help, but he told me to hide with Eryn. We had almost made it to the cellar when Sean fell. I tried to hold Eryn back, but she ran to her father. I couldn't pull her back in time."
Richard's face softened in sympathy. "I'm so sorry, Jennsen," he said sadly.
Jennsen ignored him, her voice growing resolute. "They would have killed me too. But before those awful creatures could reach me, they were cut down by Tobias' sword." She wiped at her face, drying the tears with her sleeves. "He saved me, Richard. He and Lunetta took me in when I had nowhere else to go."
Richard fumbled for words, his brow furrowed in shock. "I can understand why you'd feel indebted to them, but Jennsen...you can't possibly think that ridding the world of magic is the right thing to do."
"Why not?" Jennsen's voice softened as she knelt before Richard again, taking his shackled hands in hers. "Ever since magic came into my life, it's done nothing but cause pain. Magic killed our mother, Richard." Her eyes flicked pointedly to Denna, who smiled back at her with exaggerated sweetness. She shivered nervously as she turned her eyes back to her brother. "It was magic that tore the rift and allowed banelings to come into this world. Everywhere you look, magic is ruining someone's life."
Richard was silent for a long moment, wrestling with his thoughts.
"Don't tell me you're buying this, brother," Rahl scoffed, turning to face his sister. "If you wish to wax on about the evils of magic, you're perfectly welcome to do so. But only a fool would believe that the Blood of the Fold is benevolent."
Jennsen's face hardened as she glared fiercely. "And what would you even know of the word?"
Amusement touched Darken's lips. "My dear sister, I realize that we haven't truly gotten the chance to know one another -"
"Because all you've ever done is lie to me!" she retorted, her voice shaking.
Darken smiled. "Not everything I told you was a lie, sister." He gestured dismissively with his hand. "But that's besides the point. Whatever you choose to believe about my own intentions, you can't deny the atrocities perpetrated by the Blood of the Fold." Seeing confusion crease Jennsen's brow, he continued. "Or do you not know what happened in Ebynissia?"
Jennsen was silent, her mind working to recognize the name. Bewilderment shone in her eyes as she looked over at Rahl.
Darken's smile turned to a sneer, his voice harsh as he spoke. "Thousands of men, women, and children slaughtered like livestock because they would not submit to the Fold's beliefs. Old and young alike piled in heaps like so much rubble, all for the sake of ridding the world of magic."
Jennsen's face was flooded with horror and disbelief. At her questioning glance, Richard nodded sadly, his expression haunted by the memory.
"I was there, after the army was gone. I saw it all with my own eyes." His gaze was kind, but firm. "Jennsen, these people don't just want to get rid of magic. They want to destroy anyone who has it - and anyone who stands in their way."
She shook her head, rising to her feet. "No. Tobias may have a temper, but he would never kill innocent people. Children. There's got to be another explanation."
Darken breathed an exaggerated sigh. "Have you heard enough yet, brother?" He looked over at Richard, exasperated. "She's not going to be swayed."
Richard kept his focus on his slowly retreating sister. "Jennsen, please -"
Jennsen shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry, Richard. I thought I could make you see the truth." Tears threatened to fall again as she turned and hurried from the tent.
Richard turned to glare at his brother. "Nice going. We're not going to convince her to help us by scaring her off."
"Help us?" Denna laughed. "And here I thought you were actually concerned for your sister."
He turned his gaze to Denna, and the intensity of it made her smile fade. "I am. But she also might be our best chance at getting out of here alive. If we can loosen Brogan's hold on her, we can save her and escape."
*****
Zedd waved his hands over the small depression in the earth; the ground rippled as the hollow filled with water. Satisfied, he leaned back on his heels, meeting Shota's unimpressed gaze.
"It's not what I'm accustomed to," Shota huffed, "but I suppose it will suffice." Placing her hands on her knees, Shota stared into the water, searching for things only she could see.
His task completed, Zedd let his gaze drift over the rest of the camp. Nicci and Dahlia sat close to one another, engaging in idle conversation. Berdine and Raina stood somewhat apart from them; Berdine seemed a fraction more cheerful this morning, Zedd noticed. His expression became pained as his eyes landed on Kahlan and Cara.
He sighed softly, jarring Shota from her scrying. She glared up at him. "If you're going to brood over the Mother Confessor's fate, Zeddicus, could you perhaps do it somewhere less distracting?"
Zedd looked back at her with a sad smile. "I apologize, Shota. I'll leave you to your task." He stood, looking around the camp again and muttering to himself. "There's got to be some food left over from breakfast."
Shota shook her head, turning back to the pool of water.
Cara slid her pack over her shoulders, huffing in irritation when her hair got caught in the strap. Kahlan smiled fondly, reaching to help free it.
"Your hair's getting long," Kahlan noted, her fingers brushing through the blonde tresses. Cara stiffened under the attention, but did not shrug Kahlan's hand away as she once might have done.
"Maybe I'll be able to braid it again soon," Cara suggested. "It would be nice to have it out of my eyes."
Kahlan leaned back, trying to imagine it. With a slight shake of her head, she tucked the hair she'd been stroking behind Cara's ear, sliding down to tug gently at the ends. "I think this suits you."
Cara hesitantly returned Kahlan's soft smile, and the pair fell silent for a moment, letting their eyes speak for them. The moment was shattered when Shota called out from her place on the ground. All eyes in the camp fell on the witch woman kneeling before the pool of water.
"I know where we must go."
*****
Jennsen hugged her arms to herself as she made her way through the camp. She was torn from her thoughts by angry shouts. Turning toward the noise, Jennsen saw two new prisoners being brought in. They wore what looked like faded rags, and strips of cloth covered their heads. The man struggled against the guards who held him, while the woman pleaded.
"Please, we are peaceful people!" she insisted, keeping her body limp and unresisting as the guards dragged her through the camp. She was an older woman, her clothing more ornate than the young man's. "We are Minders. We do not believe in violence." The woman grunted in pain as one of the guards jerked her arm more roughly than necessary. Jennsen recognized him as Vargus, the man she had greeted so recently. She stared in shock as he stopped abruptly, turning on the old woman.
"Still your tongue, witch, or we'll cut it out." Jennsen's eyes widened in horror at his words.
The young man jerked against his captors, his face twisted in fury. "It's no use, Mother. These people won't hear anything you say."
The woman looked at him sadly. "Kur, please, stop resisting. It only provokes their violence." Kur sneered in response, never ceasing his struggle. She shook her head, addressing Vargus once more. "Please, let us go," she entreated calmly. "We are not a threat to you."
Jennsen gasped as Vargus backhanded the woman, knocking her to her knees. "Magic of any kind is a threat to everyone."
"Vargus!" Jennsen exclaimed, finding her words. She reached to place a hand on his raised arm. "What are you doing?"
"Back off, Jennsen," Vargus warned gruffly, shrugging off her hand. "You don't understand the danger these creatures pose." He spat on the ground in front of the kneeling woman before reaching for her arm again.
Jennsen stared as they pushed past her, dragging the prisoners to their tent. Confusion glittered in her eyes.
*****
Tobias was alone in his tent, carefully examining a map that was spread across his desk. He looked up as a guard poked his head into the tent.
"Jennsen to see you, Lord General."
Tobias nodded, swallowing back his irritation. "Let her in."
Jennsen stepped into the tent, still trembling from what she'd just seen.
Tobias smiled warmly at her. "Come in, child." He gestured toward the chests lining one wall of the tent, and Jennsen perched on the edge of one, hugging her arms to herself. Tobias gentled his voice. "What can I do for you?"
Jennsen looked at him uneasily, her brow furrowed as she struggled to find words. "I-I wanted to ask you..." His eyes urged her to continue. "What happened in Ebynissia?"
The Lord General's face fell. He rose from his seat, moving to stand before Jennsen. She looked up at him as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Has the Seeker been filling your head with lies?"
"He said the people there were slaughtered." Her voice wavered. "By your men."
Tobias inhaled sharply, biting back his anger. Noting Jennsen's alarmed expression, he sighed, dropping to one knee to look her in the eyes. He reached out to gently grasp her elbows. "Jennsen, what happened to Ebynissia was a tragedy. But my men were not the cause. The people of that village had been divided by a magical war for months, both sides wanting more of the tainted power for their own." His voice burned with such passion that it seemed to Jennsen he must be telling the truth. "I sent a small force of men to try to defuse the conflict, but they were no match for the Keeper's evil. They were killed to a man."
"Oh." Jennsen looked down at the floor, her thoughts not yet at ease. Tobias tucked a finger under her chin, raising her eyes to his.
"Is there something else bothering you, child?"
She kept her gaze firmly locked on his as she drew a steadying breath. "On my way over here, I saw Vargus and some other men bringing in new prisoners. They called themselves Minders." Her face clouded in confusion at the term, but quickly cleared as she moved on to her point. "They said they weren't violent, but the guards were being awful to them."
Tobias leaned back on his heel, drawing a hand over his face. His jaw clenched as he responded. "Jennsen, you are still so young." He shook his head, his voice gently insistent. "The Keeper's minions are devious creatures. Do you expect them to announce their intentions like honorable people?"
Jennsen shook her head slowly, her confusion beginning to clear. Tobias forced a smile at the sight. He rose to sit next to Jennsen, throwing an arm over her shoulders.
"I'm going to tell you the ugly truth about these Minders," he said calmly. "And your brother."
Jennsen turned her head to look at him in alarm. "What does Richard have to do with it?"
"Everything," he sighed. "These so-called peaceful people massacred an entire village. And they did so under the command of the Seeker."
Jennsen started, shaking her head in protest. "Richard would never do that. He's a good man."
Tobias' eyes hardened. "Magic can turn the best of men into monsters." He paused, letting his words sink in. When Jennsen didn't offer further argument, he patted her shoulder and stood, offering her his hand. "Come, cease your worrying. You are on the side of the Creator herself."
Jennsen took his hand, pulling herself to her feet. The Lord General's eyes followed her out of the tent, his lip curling in disgust when she was out of sight.
*****
continue to Episode 3.12 - Villains - part 2