Call of the Underworld, Chp. 2
Title: Call of the Underworld
Author: JlynCSS
Pairings: Richard/Kahlan
Rating: R
Summary: Part 2 of The Guardian series. Kahlan falls victim to the Keeper's plan when she willingly takes the Mark from Richard.
Chapter 2
Startled, Kahlan stepped back from the flames. Goose bumps ran across her skin when she saw Darken Rahl himself step forth.
"It's good to see you again Kahlan."
Kahlan's back stiffened anger rising within her. She remembered Richard describing to her how Rahl had come to him through the campfire the night he left the Keeper's mark. Through clenched teeth she spit out, "What is it you want now?"
"What I've always wanted Kahlan. And this time, I shall have it."
"You're dead. You'll have nothing but an eternity in the Underworld."
"Yes, you're right Kahlan." He moved closer, his words growing louder. "Tell me: How do you feel knowing I'll have Richard with me? Knowing I'll torment and torture him throughout that eternity?"
Kahlan shuddered at the thought. "Richard will destroy you. Once he finds the Stone, and seals the veil, you and the Keeper will be locked away in the Underworld forever. Then, people like Richard will go to the Creator when they die. He won't be subjected to your twisted cruelty."
"That's only if he succeeds, Kahlan…only if he lives long enough. The mark of the Keeper in on him - do you really believe it's just some scar…? Some burned flesh? It's the mark of the Keeper Kahlan. He's dying. Through the mark, the Keeper is slowly bleeding the life from him."
Kahlan shook with the ice racing through her veins. Fear spread though her; her mind racing with thoughts.
"I have an offer for you Kahlan that will spare his life, his endless torment."
"Why?"
"Because there is something I want more."
She shuddered at the thought of any pact with him, but Richard's life, his eternal soul, was at stake. Without thinking she found herself asking "What is it?"
"You would die for the man you love, would you not, Kahlan?"
She stared back at him blankly. Rahl knew the answer to the question; he didn't need to ask it. His thumb and finger slowly traced his lips. "You can take the mark Kahlan. Freeing the man you love from an eternity torment. In exchange for his life, you will join me - in the Underworld…providing me with…pleasure in a most inhospitable place." His twisted smile turned her stomach.
Kahlan shook her head. It was unthinkable.
"Then he will die, Khalan! And you can spend the rest of your days knowing you were the only one who could have saved him. You'll spend the rest of your life, knowing he is with the Keeper; that the most heinous, despicable acts are being carried out against him! For eternity Kahlan." His voice grew quiet but no less menacing, "Even long after you are dead, still he will suffer."
Kahlan's face was stoic. A single tear slid down her cheek as she contemplated her fate. Richard's fate.
"I've seen the Keeper, Kahlan. He is frightening to behold. It is difficult to remain in his presence for long. Even being dead it's as if he's stealing the breath from your lungs, the very life from your soul. Richard's eternity will be filled with anguish."
Kahlan tried to control her trembling. Richard wouldn't want her to do it. She knew he wouldn't. But she also knew if it were him taking the mark from her, he wouldn't hesitate. Besides, she thought, if Richard was dead, they were all lost. If she took the mark, he would still be able to fight on, and try and put an end to the Keeper and his minions…saving countless others; perhaps even find a way to save her. Without him, it was hopeless…all would be lost.
Kahlan lifted her chin, "Tell me the rest."
Rahl seemed to relax a little, seeing she might actually accept his offer, though he'd had little doubt.
Hurriedly, Kahlan added, "I won't become a Baneling. I won't do the Keeper's bidding."
Rhal shook his head. "You must accept the offer willingly, Kahlan. Once you take the mark Kahlan, you are mine."
"Richard didn't accept it willingly." She didn't try to hide the wrath she felt within.
"His mark was not an exchange." Rahl came close to her, leaning in; his lips hovered just above her temple, leaving a hot trail of breath across her cheek, down to her mouth. Still a breath away from her, he spoke, "The mark has been placed, Kahlan. It demands a soul. In order to free his, you must offer yours, willingly.
Rahl stood up straight. Willingly Kahlan: that means you must come to me when I call you. Once you bear the mark, your life will slowly bleed from you as it bleeds from Richard now."
Kahlan didn't flinch. "How do I know this isn't some sort of a trick? What if you don't remove the mark from Richard?"
"I'll let you see it with your own eyes." He answered her questioning look, "Magic is a wonderful thing Kahlan, and the Keeper is very powerful…you will know when the mark leaves Richard and comes to you." In a quick stride he was before her again. "What is your answer Kahlan? How much do you love this man?"
'With all my heart' she thought. Tears freely streamed down her face now. She remembered Richard's warm smile and gentle eyes, his soft kiss on her skin. She had been so happy knowing they could be together at last. Now, all was lost to her. She would never know his touch again. But she couldn't bear to think of him at the hands of the Keeper. Her blue eyes stared back at him as cold as ice, her lips pulled tight, "I have no choice but to accept your offer."
xxx
Author: JlynCSS
Pairings: Richard/Kahlan
Rating: R
Summary: Part 2 of The Guardian series. Kahlan falls victim to the Keeper's plan when she willingly takes the Mark from Richard.
Chapter 2
Startled, Kahlan stepped back from the flames. Goose bumps ran across her skin when she saw Darken Rahl himself step forth.
"It's good to see you again Kahlan."
Kahlan's back stiffened anger rising within her. She remembered Richard describing to her how Rahl had come to him through the campfire the night he left the Keeper's mark. Through clenched teeth she spit out, "What is it you want now?"
"What I've always wanted Kahlan. And this time, I shall have it."
"You're dead. You'll have nothing but an eternity in the Underworld."
"Yes, you're right Kahlan." He moved closer, his words growing louder. "Tell me: How do you feel knowing I'll have Richard with me? Knowing I'll torment and torture him throughout that eternity?"
Kahlan shuddered at the thought. "Richard will destroy you. Once he finds the Stone, and seals the veil, you and the Keeper will be locked away in the Underworld forever. Then, people like Richard will go to the Creator when they die. He won't be subjected to your twisted cruelty."
"That's only if he succeeds, Kahlan…only if he lives long enough. The mark of the Keeper in on him - do you really believe it's just some scar…? Some burned flesh? It's the mark of the Keeper Kahlan. He's dying. Through the mark, the Keeper is slowly bleeding the life from him."
Kahlan shook with the ice racing through her veins. Fear spread though her; her mind racing with thoughts.
"I have an offer for you Kahlan that will spare his life, his endless torment."
"Why?"
"Because there is something I want more."
She shuddered at the thought of any pact with him, but Richard's life, his eternal soul, was at stake. Without thinking she found herself asking "What is it?"
"You would die for the man you love, would you not, Kahlan?"
She stared back at him blankly. Rahl knew the answer to the question; he didn't need to ask it. His thumb and finger slowly traced his lips. "You can take the mark Kahlan. Freeing the man you love from an eternity torment. In exchange for his life, you will join me - in the Underworld…providing me with…pleasure in a most inhospitable place." His twisted smile turned her stomach.
Kahlan shook her head. It was unthinkable.
"Then he will die, Khalan! And you can spend the rest of your days knowing you were the only one who could have saved him. You'll spend the rest of your life, knowing he is with the Keeper; that the most heinous, despicable acts are being carried out against him! For eternity Kahlan." His voice grew quiet but no less menacing, "Even long after you are dead, still he will suffer."
Kahlan's face was stoic. A single tear slid down her cheek as she contemplated her fate. Richard's fate.
"I've seen the Keeper, Kahlan. He is frightening to behold. It is difficult to remain in his presence for long. Even being dead it's as if he's stealing the breath from your lungs, the very life from your soul. Richard's eternity will be filled with anguish."
Kahlan tried to control her trembling. Richard wouldn't want her to do it. She knew he wouldn't. But she also knew if it were him taking the mark from her, he wouldn't hesitate. Besides, she thought, if Richard was dead, they were all lost. If she took the mark, he would still be able to fight on, and try and put an end to the Keeper and his minions…saving countless others; perhaps even find a way to save her. Without him, it was hopeless…all would be lost.
Kahlan lifted her chin, "Tell me the rest."
Rahl seemed to relax a little, seeing she might actually accept his offer, though he'd had little doubt.
Hurriedly, Kahlan added, "I won't become a Baneling. I won't do the Keeper's bidding."
Rhal shook his head. "You must accept the offer willingly, Kahlan. Once you take the mark Kahlan, you are mine."
"Richard didn't accept it willingly." She didn't try to hide the wrath she felt within.
"His mark was not an exchange." Rahl came close to her, leaning in; his lips hovered just above her temple, leaving a hot trail of breath across her cheek, down to her mouth. Still a breath away from her, he spoke, "The mark has been placed, Kahlan. It demands a soul. In order to free his, you must offer yours, willingly.
Rahl stood up straight. Willingly Kahlan: that means you must come to me when I call you. Once you bear the mark, your life will slowly bleed from you as it bleeds from Richard now."
Kahlan didn't flinch. "How do I know this isn't some sort of a trick? What if you don't remove the mark from Richard?"
"I'll let you see it with your own eyes." He answered her questioning look, "Magic is a wonderful thing Kahlan, and the Keeper is very powerful…you will know when the mark leaves Richard and comes to you." In a quick stride he was before her again. "What is your answer Kahlan? How much do you love this man?"
'With all my heart' she thought. Tears freely streamed down her face now. She remembered Richard's warm smile and gentle eyes, his soft kiss on her skin. She had been so happy knowing they could be together at last. Now, all was lost to her. She would never know his touch again. But she couldn't bear to think of him at the hands of the Keeper. Her blue eyes stared back at him as cold as ice, her lips pulled tight, "I have no choice but to accept your offer."
xxx