Call of the Underworld, Chp. 3
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 3
Kahlan could see Richard lying on the ground in camp. She was still in her room, but Rahl had called forth his image in the flames of the fireplace in her chamber. Extending an arm toward Richard, toward the flames, Rahl closed his eyes, beginning to chant. Kahlan gasped when she saw a thousand points of orange light spring to life just above Richard as he lay sleeping, just above the mark on his chesft. The points of light slowly mingled and danced, making their way from Richard, through the fire, toward Rahl. Flecks of orange traveled along his fingertips, swirling and twisting up his arm, gathering about his shoulder. He opened his eyes.
"Come to me Kahlan."
Her breath was quick with fear. She watched the lights swirl about Rahl, his neck now awash in their glow. She swallowed passed the lump in her throat and moved toward him. He leaned in close. Searing lips brushed across her collar bone, gliding down to the swell of her breast. Kahlan was filled with dread. Magic seemed to hold her in place. She wanted to run, but couldn't. Even if her legs would move...Not if she wanted to save Richard. Like a hot iron poker, her skin burned where his lips touched her. Rahl exuded the lust he felt for her through his kiss. The points of light radiated from his lips swirling about before they coalesced just above her heart. Searing, ripping pain shredded her from within. It was like nothing she had ever felt before. Kahlan threw her head back in an agonizing scream and fell to her knees, weeping with the pain she felt within. "You belong to me, now Kahlan Amnell."
In a sudden rush, Kahlan felt the horror of what she'd done. She dropped to her hands pulling in choking breaths. The violation she felt was no less than if Rahl had stripped her clothes and defiled her then and there.
Tingles of fear ran through her body. What had she done? She lifted her tearstained face to the fire and saw Richard's sleeping image. "Please forgive me" she whispered before she fell to the floor in sobs.
---
Richard awoke with a start.
"What is it boy?" Zedd asked.
A sense of dread raced through him. Something was wrong. He could feel it in his bones.
The trio had stopped briefly for sleep and to rest the horses as they made their way for Aydindril. Richard had shared with Zedd and Cara Rahl's message about Kahlan. They made their way now to get to her.
Richard ran a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure. Something's different." He couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding. And then he realized. He slowly peeled back his shirt, revealing the smooth, clear skin of his chest.
Cara spoke the obvious, "The mark is gone."
Richard's eyes went to hers, then Zedd's. He didn't know what to make of it, but something told him it was a dreadful sign. He broke out in a cold sweat. He rushed to his feet, "We need to go."
Zedd didn't move. His arms rested on his knees, hands clasped in front of him. "Richard. I think you need to see Shota."
"Shota!" he spat. "Zedd, I need to get to Kahlan."
Zedd stood and took Richard by his shoulders. "You know Shota can be useful. She has visions. She can see what others can't. She's told me of them. I think you need to see her."
Richard brushed passed him, reaching to adjust his horse's saddle. "You know how I feel about Shota and her visions." The only thing Richard cared about now was getting to Kahlan. He didn't have time for Shota and her prophecies.
"It's about Kahlan."
Richard stiffened, his hands halting their movement. Afraid to ask but needing to know, "What is it?" He stood frozen, unable to move. He could feel the wizard's eyes on him and slowly turned to face him.
Zedd was reluctant to admit what he had been concealing since he'd last seen Shota. "She said she had a foretelling of the white rose and spoke it to me in a rhyme:
Richard was skeptical, but if it concerned Kahlan he wanted to hear it.
"For the rose of white there is much dread,
when her true love's mark at last is shed
For she shall bear with a kiss unfurled,
the spawn of the Lord of the Underworld"
Richard shook with a million pin pricks running down his spine. Ice flowed through his veins.
Hands clenched at his sides, his face twitched in anger. "What else have you been keeping from me?"
Zedd tried to explain, just as he had kept Shota's prophecy about naming a new Seeker, he didn't want to needlessly terrify them with this. But now that Richard's mark had in deed been 'shed', he thought it was time. If only he could go back and do things differently.
Richard had heard enough. They were wasting time. Time Kahlan didn't have. "Go. You and Cara both go to Aydindril. Do whatever you need to protect Kahlan." His emphasis making it clear they could not fail.
Agaden Reach was between them and Aydindril. Richard would stop only long enough to see if Shota could provide some help, some insight, on how to keep Kahlan safe.
---
Kahlan pulled aside the collar of her dress and looked again into the mirror. The mark left upon her was not a handprint as it had been on Richard. Instead, she could clearly see the impression of two lips, seared into her skin, just below her collarbone, above her heart. The dread of not knowing what it truly meant filled her. Rahl had left her that night after leaving the mark upon her. She had expected to wake up in the Underworld; to be forced to do unimaginable things. She was grateful that once he'd left the mark upon her, he had vanished, leaving her to cry alone in anguish.
---
Richard was on edge at being in Agaden Reach. Though she had proved helpful in the past, he never fully trusted Shota. He stood before her now, next to the huge stone water basin that sat atop an equally massive pedestal.
He had come demanding answers, but all she would tell him was that he needed to see what she would show him. She chanted over the magic waters, gliding her fingertips through it, breaking up the surface.
As the water began to settle, Richard saw the face of Darken Rahl. He stiffened when he recognized where Rahl was: Kahlan's room.
Richard heard his evil brother's voice, "Come to me, Kahlan." Kahlan's face showed no emotion as she went and stood before him. Rahl took her shoulders in his hands and kissed her neck, slow and seductive. Expressionless, Kahlan didn't move.
Richard looked away, his nostrils flaring with anger. "Enough Shota what's the meaning behind this?"
"You must see it Richard. If you are to stop it, you must see."
"I won't. I understand what you're trying to do. I don't need to see it."
"I don't think you do understand. Don't close your eyes to what awaits you Richard. To what awaits her."
He didn't move, didn't blink as he slowly simmered in anger.
Her words were sudden and forceful, "Are you prepared to fight the Keeper, Richard?" She took a breath, trying to calm her voice. "You must see, you must feel the rage, if you are to have any chance at defeating him."
He felt rage. His jaw was clenched with it now. "I feel the rage Shota."
"Not enough. Not like you will after seeing this." She cast out her hand. A force surrounded Richard, holding him in place. He tried to move but couldn't. "You must see it Richard." He tried to turn his head, close his eyes, but it was no use. Shota would have her way in this.
She trailed her fingers once more through the magic waters and stepped back from the dais.
All too clearly, as the ripples settled in the water, Richard could see a sweaty, naked Rahl on top of a horrified Kahlan, her legs spread by the weight of him. In horror, he watched as Rahl thrust into her deeply and violently. His vile hands painfully clenched her breasts as he held himself over her, leaning heavily on his arms. Kahlan could barely breathe from the weight of him. With each movement he forced more air out of her lungs. He panted over her like a wild animal, his long hair swinging wildly as he moved.
Richard tried frantically to break free of her magic. "Shota please," he begged. She ignored his plea.
Kahlan's head was turned to the side. He could see her beautiful face clenched in a grimace, soaked with tears as she sobbed quietly. She clutched at the bedding, pulling it into her fists, as if that might somehow halt her pain.
Richard's stomach coiled in knots. His breathing was ragged. He tried with every ounce of him to break free of her hold. It was all so real. He could hear Rahl's heavy breathing filling the air; his wanton grunting as he continued his violent assault. Tears streamed down Richard's face.
So forceful was his violation, Kahlan's body inched its way across the bed with every thrust. She cried out in torment.
Richard twisted in agony trying break free. Rage boiled within him. Wrath shook his bones.
Through his torment, he heard Rahl telling Kahlan how much he knew she was enjoying him. As Kahlan's sobs grew louder, Rahl's thrusts grew faster. Finally, raising himself up, he gave a loud grunt with his final push, holding himself deep inside her as he released his seed in her. "That's for you Richard," he panted letting out what sounded like a small victory cry.
Richard's wrath exploded in madness. In a rage of fury, he let out a roar and broke through the spell, lunging at the stone basin. His violence sent it crashing to the cold, hard floor. Water splashed everywhere, soaking the ground, soaking him. He picked up the broken shards hurling them through the air before falling to his knees. His heart beat so he couldn't breathe. Richard flopped to his side in the water, choking in agony, tears streaming down his face.
Shota felt compassion for his misery. "You can prevent this Richard, now that you have seen." She kneeled down next to him and touched his shoulder. She could feel his shaking under her hand. "You must stay strong Richard. Kahlan needs you."
Shota's words were like a small beacon of light to his lost mind, calling him back. She was right; Kahlan did need him, now more than ever.
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 3
Kahlan could see Richard lying on the ground in camp. She was still in her room, but Rahl had called forth his image in the flames of the fireplace in her chamber. Extending an arm toward Richard, toward the flames, Rahl closed his eyes, beginning to chant. Kahlan gasped when she saw a thousand points of orange light spring to life just above Richard as he lay sleeping, just above the mark on his chesft. The points of light slowly mingled and danced, making their way from Richard, through the fire, toward Rahl. Flecks of orange traveled along his fingertips, swirling and twisting up his arm, gathering about his shoulder. He opened his eyes.
"Come to me Kahlan."
Her breath was quick with fear. She watched the lights swirl about Rahl, his neck now awash in their glow. She swallowed passed the lump in her throat and moved toward him. He leaned in close. Searing lips brushed across her collar bone, gliding down to the swell of her breast. Kahlan was filled with dread. Magic seemed to hold her in place. She wanted to run, but couldn't. Even if her legs would move...Not if she wanted to save Richard. Like a hot iron poker, her skin burned where his lips touched her. Rahl exuded the lust he felt for her through his kiss. The points of light radiated from his lips swirling about before they coalesced just above her heart. Searing, ripping pain shredded her from within. It was like nothing she had ever felt before. Kahlan threw her head back in an agonizing scream and fell to her knees, weeping with the pain she felt within. "You belong to me, now Kahlan Amnell."
In a sudden rush, Kahlan felt the horror of what she'd done. She dropped to her hands pulling in choking breaths. The violation she felt was no less than if Rahl had stripped her clothes and defiled her then and there.
Tingles of fear ran through her body. What had she done? She lifted her tearstained face to the fire and saw Richard's sleeping image. "Please forgive me" she whispered before she fell to the floor in sobs.
---
Richard awoke with a start.
"What is it boy?" Zedd asked.
A sense of dread raced through him. Something was wrong. He could feel it in his bones.
The trio had stopped briefly for sleep and to rest the horses as they made their way for Aydindril. Richard had shared with Zedd and Cara Rahl's message about Kahlan. They made their way now to get to her.
Richard ran a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure. Something's different." He couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding. And then he realized. He slowly peeled back his shirt, revealing the smooth, clear skin of his chest.
Cara spoke the obvious, "The mark is gone."
Richard's eyes went to hers, then Zedd's. He didn't know what to make of it, but something told him it was a dreadful sign. He broke out in a cold sweat. He rushed to his feet, "We need to go."
Zedd didn't move. His arms rested on his knees, hands clasped in front of him. "Richard. I think you need to see Shota."
"Shota!" he spat. "Zedd, I need to get to Kahlan."
Zedd stood and took Richard by his shoulders. "You know Shota can be useful. She has visions. She can see what others can't. She's told me of them. I think you need to see her."
Richard brushed passed him, reaching to adjust his horse's saddle. "You know how I feel about Shota and her visions." The only thing Richard cared about now was getting to Kahlan. He didn't have time for Shota and her prophecies.
"It's about Kahlan."
Richard stiffened, his hands halting their movement. Afraid to ask but needing to know, "What is it?" He stood frozen, unable to move. He could feel the wizard's eyes on him and slowly turned to face him.
Zedd was reluctant to admit what he had been concealing since he'd last seen Shota. "She said she had a foretelling of the white rose and spoke it to me in a rhyme:
Richard was skeptical, but if it concerned Kahlan he wanted to hear it.
"For the rose of white there is much dread,
when her true love's mark at last is shed
For she shall bear with a kiss unfurled,
the spawn of the Lord of the Underworld"
Richard shook with a million pin pricks running down his spine. Ice flowed through his veins.
Hands clenched at his sides, his face twitched in anger. "What else have you been keeping from me?"
Zedd tried to explain, just as he had kept Shota's prophecy about naming a new Seeker, he didn't want to needlessly terrify them with this. But now that Richard's mark had in deed been 'shed', he thought it was time. If only he could go back and do things differently.
Richard had heard enough. They were wasting time. Time Kahlan didn't have. "Go. You and Cara both go to Aydindril. Do whatever you need to protect Kahlan." His emphasis making it clear they could not fail.
Agaden Reach was between them and Aydindril. Richard would stop only long enough to see if Shota could provide some help, some insight, on how to keep Kahlan safe.
---
Kahlan pulled aside the collar of her dress and looked again into the mirror. The mark left upon her was not a handprint as it had been on Richard. Instead, she could clearly see the impression of two lips, seared into her skin, just below her collarbone, above her heart. The dread of not knowing what it truly meant filled her. Rahl had left her that night after leaving the mark upon her. She had expected to wake up in the Underworld; to be forced to do unimaginable things. She was grateful that once he'd left the mark upon her, he had vanished, leaving her to cry alone in anguish.
---
Richard was on edge at being in Agaden Reach. Though she had proved helpful in the past, he never fully trusted Shota. He stood before her now, next to the huge stone water basin that sat atop an equally massive pedestal.
He had come demanding answers, but all she would tell him was that he needed to see what she would show him. She chanted over the magic waters, gliding her fingertips through it, breaking up the surface.
As the water began to settle, Richard saw the face of Darken Rahl. He stiffened when he recognized where Rahl was: Kahlan's room.
Richard heard his evil brother's voice, "Come to me, Kahlan." Kahlan's face showed no emotion as she went and stood before him. Rahl took her shoulders in his hands and kissed her neck, slow and seductive. Expressionless, Kahlan didn't move.
Richard looked away, his nostrils flaring with anger. "Enough Shota what's the meaning behind this?"
"You must see it Richard. If you are to stop it, you must see."
"I won't. I understand what you're trying to do. I don't need to see it."
"I don't think you do understand. Don't close your eyes to what awaits you Richard. To what awaits her."
He didn't move, didn't blink as he slowly simmered in anger.
Her words were sudden and forceful, "Are you prepared to fight the Keeper, Richard?" She took a breath, trying to calm her voice. "You must see, you must feel the rage, if you are to have any chance at defeating him."
He felt rage. His jaw was clenched with it now. "I feel the rage Shota."
"Not enough. Not like you will after seeing this." She cast out her hand. A force surrounded Richard, holding him in place. He tried to move but couldn't. "You must see it Richard." He tried to turn his head, close his eyes, but it was no use. Shota would have her way in this.
She trailed her fingers once more through the magic waters and stepped back from the dais.
All too clearly, as the ripples settled in the water, Richard could see a sweaty, naked Rahl on top of a horrified Kahlan, her legs spread by the weight of him. In horror, he watched as Rahl thrust into her deeply and violently. His vile hands painfully clenched her breasts as he held himself over her, leaning heavily on his arms. Kahlan could barely breathe from the weight of him. With each movement he forced more air out of her lungs. He panted over her like a wild animal, his long hair swinging wildly as he moved.
Richard tried frantically to break free of her magic. "Shota please," he begged. She ignored his plea.
Kahlan's head was turned to the side. He could see her beautiful face clenched in a grimace, soaked with tears as she sobbed quietly. She clutched at the bedding, pulling it into her fists, as if that might somehow halt her pain.
Richard's stomach coiled in knots. His breathing was ragged. He tried with every ounce of him to break free of her hold. It was all so real. He could hear Rahl's heavy breathing filling the air; his wanton grunting as he continued his violent assault. Tears streamed down Richard's face.
So forceful was his violation, Kahlan's body inched its way across the bed with every thrust. She cried out in torment.
Richard twisted in agony trying break free. Rage boiled within him. Wrath shook his bones.
Through his torment, he heard Rahl telling Kahlan how much he knew she was enjoying him. As Kahlan's sobs grew louder, Rahl's thrusts grew faster. Finally, raising himself up, he gave a loud grunt with his final push, holding himself deep inside her as he released his seed in her. "That's for you Richard," he panted letting out what sounded like a small victory cry.
Richard's wrath exploded in madness. In a rage of fury, he let out a roar and broke through the spell, lunging at the stone basin. His violence sent it crashing to the cold, hard floor. Water splashed everywhere, soaking the ground, soaking him. He picked up the broken shards hurling them through the air before falling to his knees. His heart beat so he couldn't breathe. Richard flopped to his side in the water, choking in agony, tears streaming down his face.
Shota felt compassion for his misery. "You can prevent this Richard, now that you have seen." She kneeled down next to him and touched his shoulder. She could feel his shaking under her hand. "You must stay strong Richard. Kahlan needs you."
Shota's words were like a small beacon of light to his lost mind, calling him back. She was right; Kahlan did need him, now more than ever.
xxx