Fruition, Prologue
Title: Fruition
Author: JlynCSS
Rating: R
Characters: Richard, Kahlan, Nicci, Cara, Zedd, Benjamin, Original
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything, but if I did, I’d give them Season 3.
Summary: Sequel to Master of D'Hara. Richard and Kahlan's dreams are finally being realized but is the young wizard Gabriel their friend or foe?
Nominated Best Action/Adventure Story LotSeekerFic Awards 2012
Prologue
His tone was jovial, “Six days and counting?”
“Seven” she replied matter-of-factly.
He knew she was marking the days until the Seeker returned, confident he would keep to his word and be back by the next full moon. Side by side, Kahlan and Gabriel made the chilly walk up the long, lonely road toward the Keep.
He gave her a friendly scolding, “Well I wasn’t counting today…it’s half over you know.”
Kahlan’s lilting laughter brought a smile to his lips. She had a way about her that could lift anyone’s spirits. Not that his needed lifting - it was just an observation. One he’d noticed the moment he laid eyes on her just a few weeks ago…
Reading quietly in one of the big overstuffed chairs of the Keep, Kahlan had been startled at hearing someone moving about within its halls. Having gone there one night in search of a book, she was taken aback when Gabriel entered in. At first on her guard, Kahlan immediately rose to question him. No one but wizard’s and Confessors…and now, Richard, ever dared to set foot inside, alone and uninvited.
Tall and thin with blond hair that brushed at the nape of his neck, he had a handsome face and welcoming eyes. Gabriel explained that he in fact was a wizard, though admittedly, not a very good one. He’d told her truthfully, though rather sheepishly, that he’d come to the Keep in search of knowledge; perhaps even a magical amulet, anything that would help him with his gift. Back home in the Old World where he was from, they were in great need of wizards for healing. Men of magic were rare, most having been taken away to the Palace of the Prophets. He assumed he was too inconsequential for the sister’s notice.
He shared with her his frustration at his limited powers…how he could heal headaches and cuts, scrapes or other minor ailments, but that the people needed so much more. It pained him to see those he cared for dying off.
Kahlan found him to be an affable man and easy to talk to. In some ways, he reminded her of a young version of Zedd.
Over a pot of tea, he shared with Kahlan how his own dear mother had succumbed to a high fever, brought on when she’d accidentally sliced off the tip of her finger preparing her evening meal. He had been away at the time and there was no one there to attend to the initial injury. By the time he returned from his travels, infection was deeply rooted. He was powerless to save her. He blamed himself for not being there, when it first happened, wondering if she would still be alive had he seen to her before it festered.
He turned unabashedly red when Kahlan rested a sympathetic hand on his arm. Her grace and beauty made him as uncomfortable as a schoolboy with a crush. She told him she too knew the agony of watching helpless while those around you suffered. “You’ll be happy to know that a Wizard of the First Order is on his way here. When he arrives, I’m sure he can be of help. Until then, feel free to use the library - it is for wizards after all.” She stood and collected several of the books she had scattered about. “I suggest you confine yourself to this room though, at least until Zedd returns. There are powerful spells throughout the tower, you could find yourself, at the very least in a lot of danger, if not dead.” Gabriel’s pale blue eyes went wide with fright. “Don’t worry” she reassured him, sticking one of the books back on the shelf. “Just keep to the library and you’ll be fine.” Her smile was pleasing but had done little to ease his concern.
He’d seen her everyday since then, listening intently to Kahlan’s tales of wizards’ past. He had little knowledge of the history of the Midlands or the New World for that matter. He found her intellect and wit fascinating. Though he saw she had an easy way about her, he’d seen her once in conversation with a high ranking official of the council. She was none too happy with his conduct and made her concerns perfectly clear. Gabriel tried not to listen but heard what she’d said from his place across the hall. He remembered thinking the Mother Confessor’s arguments made perfect sense and wondered how the man could be so blind. It hadn’t taken her long to shed new light on the Ambassador’s way of thinking and he quickly took his leave.
When she rejoined Gabriel he had an odd smile on his face. “You’re quite the leader Mother Confessor.”
She refrained from smiling at his compliment, “That’s why I’m the Mother Confessor.”
“Witty too” he chuckled, offering his arm as they walked the long hall.
Kahlan laughed, finally giving him a smile, but she ignored his offer.
xxx
Author: JlynCSS
Rating: R
Characters: Richard, Kahlan, Nicci, Cara, Zedd, Benjamin, Original
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything, but if I did, I’d give them Season 3.
Summary: Sequel to Master of D'Hara. Richard and Kahlan's dreams are finally being realized but is the young wizard Gabriel their friend or foe?
Nominated Best Action/Adventure Story LotSeekerFic Awards 2012
Prologue
His tone was jovial, “Six days and counting?”
“Seven” she replied matter-of-factly.
He knew she was marking the days until the Seeker returned, confident he would keep to his word and be back by the next full moon. Side by side, Kahlan and Gabriel made the chilly walk up the long, lonely road toward the Keep.
He gave her a friendly scolding, “Well I wasn’t counting today…it’s half over you know.”
Kahlan’s lilting laughter brought a smile to his lips. She had a way about her that could lift anyone’s spirits. Not that his needed lifting - it was just an observation. One he’d noticed the moment he laid eyes on her just a few weeks ago…
Reading quietly in one of the big overstuffed chairs of the Keep, Kahlan had been startled at hearing someone moving about within its halls. Having gone there one night in search of a book, she was taken aback when Gabriel entered in. At first on her guard, Kahlan immediately rose to question him. No one but wizard’s and Confessors…and now, Richard, ever dared to set foot inside, alone and uninvited.
Tall and thin with blond hair that brushed at the nape of his neck, he had a handsome face and welcoming eyes. Gabriel explained that he in fact was a wizard, though admittedly, not a very good one. He’d told her truthfully, though rather sheepishly, that he’d come to the Keep in search of knowledge; perhaps even a magical amulet, anything that would help him with his gift. Back home in the Old World where he was from, they were in great need of wizards for healing. Men of magic were rare, most having been taken away to the Palace of the Prophets. He assumed he was too inconsequential for the sister’s notice.
He shared with her his frustration at his limited powers…how he could heal headaches and cuts, scrapes or other minor ailments, but that the people needed so much more. It pained him to see those he cared for dying off.
Kahlan found him to be an affable man and easy to talk to. In some ways, he reminded her of a young version of Zedd.
Over a pot of tea, he shared with Kahlan how his own dear mother had succumbed to a high fever, brought on when she’d accidentally sliced off the tip of her finger preparing her evening meal. He had been away at the time and there was no one there to attend to the initial injury. By the time he returned from his travels, infection was deeply rooted. He was powerless to save her. He blamed himself for not being there, when it first happened, wondering if she would still be alive had he seen to her before it festered.
He turned unabashedly red when Kahlan rested a sympathetic hand on his arm. Her grace and beauty made him as uncomfortable as a schoolboy with a crush. She told him she too knew the agony of watching helpless while those around you suffered. “You’ll be happy to know that a Wizard of the First Order is on his way here. When he arrives, I’m sure he can be of help. Until then, feel free to use the library - it is for wizards after all.” She stood and collected several of the books she had scattered about. “I suggest you confine yourself to this room though, at least until Zedd returns. There are powerful spells throughout the tower, you could find yourself, at the very least in a lot of danger, if not dead.” Gabriel’s pale blue eyes went wide with fright. “Don’t worry” she reassured him, sticking one of the books back on the shelf. “Just keep to the library and you’ll be fine.” Her smile was pleasing but had done little to ease his concern.
He’d seen her everyday since then, listening intently to Kahlan’s tales of wizards’ past. He had little knowledge of the history of the Midlands or the New World for that matter. He found her intellect and wit fascinating. Though he saw she had an easy way about her, he’d seen her once in conversation with a high ranking official of the council. She was none too happy with his conduct and made her concerns perfectly clear. Gabriel tried not to listen but heard what she’d said from his place across the hall. He remembered thinking the Mother Confessor’s arguments made perfect sense and wondered how the man could be so blind. It hadn’t taken her long to shed new light on the Ambassador’s way of thinking and he quickly took his leave.
When she rejoined Gabriel he had an odd smile on his face. “You’re quite the leader Mother Confessor.”
She refrained from smiling at his compliment, “That’s why I’m the Mother Confessor.”
“Witty too” he chuckled, offering his arm as they walked the long hall.
Kahlan laughed, finally giving him a smile, but she ignored his offer.
xxx