Redemption, Chp. 4
Chapter 4
“What’s the matter?” Richard asked with concern. After leaving the council chambers, he, Zedd and Cara had returned to Kahlan, finding her fretful over a crying Ethan.
“I don’t know. He’s been like this for hours.” Kahlan bounced Ethan in her arms, trying anything to ease his wailing. “He has more of those marks on him...” She pulled back the soft blank he was bundled in to show Richard. “He’s warm too.”
Richard took the baby from Kahlan for closer scrutiny, not knowing what to make of the little crimson horseshoes covering his chest and belly. Ethan fussed about, his cries growing louder. He turned to his grandfather, concern etched on his face, “Zedd?”
As Richard held him, the wizard placed a palm on the boy’s pliant chest, his lean hand completely covering his tiny torso. Closing his eyes, he let his magic flow, feeling his great-grandson’s aura, searching for an aberration. Richard watched intently, anxious over his son’s distress as Zedd cocked his head this way and that, interpreting what he felt. Almost immediately, Zedd’s face turned flush, beads of sweat formed above his gray brows as his breathing grew ragged. He tried to pull away but his magic held him secure, an unseen force keeping them bound. It hurt to hold onto the boy, but try as he might, he couldn’t let go.
Seeing his grandfather’s state, Richard grabbed his wrist and yanked him free, frightened by what he saw. “What is it, Zedd?” he asked, still holding onto him.
The old man panted for breath struggling to slow his racing heart. He at last opened his eyes, gray and watery as they looked back into Richard’s. He couldn’t speak…didn’t want to speak. How could he possibly tell him what he now knew?
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Kahlan clung to Richard, thankful for his strong arm around her waist, without it she would surely fall. They held their son between them as Zedd spoke the terrible news.
Ethan was suffering a disorder of his Han…essentially, an illness of magic from magic. The power of it had nearly taken him to his knees. He, a grown man and Wizard of the First Order. The child’s powerful Han, combined with the strength of his Confessor powers was too much for such a small life. So potent were the two magics, together they were toxin, poisoning his very essence.
“How do we stop it?” Richard demanded.
Zedd knew the dreadful truth of it: There was no stopping it. He stared at them blankly; a nearly imperceptible shake of his head conveyed the grim news.
Kahlan’s anguished cry tore at the old man’s heart. She held tighter to Richard and he crushed her to him, her face buried in Ethan’s tiny neck. Tears streamed down Richard’s face, his knees weak with agonizing fear as his insides twisted with pain. It took every ounce of his strength just to keep them standing.
“There must be a way,” Cara insisted. Silent until now, she stepped closer, suddenly ready for battle, eager to strike out. Seeing the Lord Rahl and the Mother Confessor in such pain flooded her with anger. “You’re a Wizard of the First Order - there must be something you can do.”
Zedd knew such a mix of powerful magic was beyond anything he had ever encountered. His great-grandson had been born to the mightiest Mother Confessor in centuries, perhaps of all time, and the Seeker of Truth - a Rahl - with quite possibly the most powerful Han of anyone who ever lived. He wasn’t sure if his own Han was strong enough to withstand even a partial cleansing. Just touching Ethan’s magic had nearly left him unconscious. But he had to try. He didn’t dare tell them he could die with the very first attempt.
Zedd nodded resignedly, “I can try to purge the illness from him - take it into me, as I did with the Fire Fever.” He looked first to Kahlan, then Richard. “I’m afraid it’s not a cure. Unlike the Fire Fever, Ethan’s illness is not caused by some outside force but from within. It’s his own magic doing this to him: the Confessor’s magic, tied to his soul, and his Han, tied to his blood.” Tears again filled the old man’s eyes, “It may help sustain him for a time, but nothing more.”
Richard pulled Kahlan even closer, a powerful hand held her head to him as he whispered desperately into her ear, “I’ll find a way, Kahlan, I swear, I’ll find a way.”
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“Not so much next time, Zedd” Richard gently admonished. “I don’t want to lose you too.” They had the wizard on a sofa in their adjoining sitting room, keeping him warm by the fire, a thick blanket tucked around him. Purging what he could from the child’s tiny body he now looked deathly ill. “Take only what you can.” Zedd wearily nodded in reply. Richard turned toward Cara, “Watch over him, will you?” It had been a long night and none of them had slept. As she slipped in beside his grandfather, Richard rubbed the tired muscles in his neck and stepped back into the bed chamber.
Kahlan was lying atop the covers, little Ethan tucked into the crook of her arm. The baby had settled down and was, at the moment, sleeping peacefully. Richard eased himself onto the bed noting Kahlan’s red rimed eyes. He shared her pain for their son, but his heart hurt for her as well. He hated to see her fear. Her tears. She would never say it but he knew she was counting on him to end this nightmare. He propped his head on and arm, watching her, knowing she wouldn’t like what he was going to say.
“I have an idea Kahlan. Zedd said it won’t work but we have to try.”
Hopeful eyes stared at him waiting for him to continue.
“Quillion.”
Kahlan sat up a little, excited by the idea…any idea that might help save their son. They had used Quillion to separate Annabelle from her Confessor powers. “Why does Zedd say it won’t work? It worked on Annabelle. We could -”
Richard put a gentle hand over hers to quiet her, he dared not get her hopes up, but it was all they had. “Because it’s more than just his Confessor powers” he said softly. “His magic has made him ill. Zedd said removing the power won’t take away the sickness.”
She knew he was trying to keep her grounded, but she couldn’t help herself, “Once the magic is removed though, can’t Zedd purge the illness, like he’s already started to?”
He nodded, “That’s my thinking as well. But even so, I’m not sure how much time we have.” He held her hand tenderly in his, his dark brown eyes penetrating hers, “I need to go.”
Kahlan gripped tighter to his hand. “But...where?” She knew he had to leave - there was no Quillion in Aydindril - but the thought terrified her. What if something happened while he was gone? Dear spirits, what if their son died while Richard was off looking for Quillion? She wouldn’t survive it without Richard at her side. And he would be devastated if something terrible happened while he was away. But he had to try. She knew he would never forgive himself if he didn’t try. He would risk anything to save his son.
“Shota” he said firmly. “She’s the only one I know of who might possibly even have Quillion.” Richard probed her with his gaze. “You have to be strong, Kahlan…no matter what happens.”
Through her tears she nodded, touching a hand to his cheek. He gave her a lingering kiss, torn between not wanting to leave, yet anxious to be on his way. There simply was no choice. Ethan’s life was stake and the sooner he left, the sooner he would return. If Zedd wasn’t needed here to purge the illness he would send him. And Cara was not an option. Shota clearly despised the Mord-Sith. No, this was something only Richard could do. “I’ll go as fast as I can” he whispered.
Kahlan watched through tear-filled eyes as Richard tenderly caressed his son’s head. He bent to kiss his lips, keeping his mouth pressed to Ethan’s as he said a silent farewell. He had no way of knowing if he would ever see his son alive again.
xxx