Powerless Chapter 11
title: Powerless
author: cocky_toad Amber
disclaimer: I do not own Legend of the Seeker or the Sword of Truth Books. the end.
pairing: Richard/Kahlan
rating: PG-13
spoilers: up until Bloodline
summary: Darken Rahl sends his army after Kahlan
Author's Note: Go figure, my internet went out last night lol. So here is the next chapter, a few hours late ;)
CHAPTER 11
Darken Rahl slowly made his way towards his captive. “Maybe you didn’t hear me correctly, I said pledge your loyalty to me.”
Kahlan stood up as straight as she could, defiance shinning in her eyes. “I am loyal only to the Seeker. You’re not even worth my time,” she spat.
He bit down hard, trying to keep his temper in check. This woman was very good at trying his patience. After everything he had done to her, the wench still wouldn’t back down without a fight. “You are the only person I have never understood. You would rather pledge your allegiance to someone who travels the country causing rebellion wherever he goes? One who leaves a wake of death in his path? I am only trying to bring peace to the lands, yet he insists on causing an uprising.” He shook his head sadly.
“Stop it…” she whispered, shutting her eyes tightly. She was so sick of his mind games.
“It’s not your fault. You were mislead. But now you have a choice, to make the right decision.”
“Stop it…” Kahlan covered her ears, trying to block out the words. She could still hear the devotion continuing on in the background over his voice. It was becoming too much, overwhelming her now fragile mind. “Shutup.”
He grabbed her arms, bringing them back down to her sides. “You can’t escape me Kahlan. It’s futile to resist. Your Seeker will soon learn the truth of this.” Rahl could see the confidence draining out of her. “Now, bow down to me and recite the devotion.” Kahlan closed her eyes as a last ditch effort to retreat from him. He growled, bending her sprained wrist backward forcefully. She screamed in pain. He reveled in the command he held over her as his actions brought her to her knees. “Good, now recite the words.”
She remained quiet. Rahl’s hold on her wrist tightened, causing her to grit her teeth. She didn’t want him to win, but she couldn’t see any other way out of the situation. She could prolong this, getting herself beat up in the process, but that wouldn’t help Richard in any way. If he was on his way here now, she needed to conserve her energy and strength in order to help him. Her eyes cast downward, refusing to meet the ruler of D’Hara’s. “Master Rahl…” she began. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to gag on her own words. Had she really just called him Master Rahl? It’s just part of the devotion. She tried to reason with herself that they were just words; they didn’t hold any real meaning for her. “Master Rahl guide us,” she whispered. A smug smile grew larger by the minute on Darken Rahl’s face. He had done it, he had broken her. His pride and ego got in the way of him seeing that she still retained a small part of the person she used to be. There was still a remnant of the strong-minded woman he both hated and lusted after.
Tears coursed down Kahlan’s face. In her mind, she was picturing Richard’s handsome face. She would soon see him again, and she would not let him down. He came so far just for her, there was no way she was going to fail him now. Still, the lies she was currently speaking tore at her.
Upon finishing the devotion, Rahl kicked her in the stomach. She grabbed at her midsection, still refusing to look at him. “Don’t you still hear the voices coming outside? The devotion isn’t over yet. Repeat it.” Kahlan’s head tipped up towards the ceiling, trying to regain control of herself. She turned towards the window, the last place she had seen Richard. She focused on that one spot. The words slowly rolled off of her tongue while she continued to ignore their significance.
*****
Large doors opened wide, revealing a D’Haran soldier and a servant behind it. Richard had reached the People’s Palace a lot quicker than intended since he could no longer hide. The whole area knew the Seeker was in their midst. The servant automatically went to bow to their new guest, but was prodded in the back with a dagger by the guard. He immediately straightened. “Right this way Seeker,” he said slowly, careful not to refer to Richard as “sir” as this would almost guarantee a harsher form of punishment from the soldier.
Richard eyed the guard as he stepped inside. The cleaners working in the room instantly stopped what they were doing to watch the newcomer proceed through the palace. Hushed whispers echoed in the large halls. The kitchen staff appeared in the doorway, wiping their hands on their aprons. Once past the main entrance, they started climbing a large staircase. People separated to allow them to continue on their way. Richard didn’t like the look of this: being upstairs would make for a more difficult escape. He studied every doorway and step he took, trying to commit it to memory. This place was like a maze. Once they were away from most of the crowds, the Seeker spoke up. “Where exactly are you taking me?”
The servant seemed surprised to hear Richard talk. “It doesn’t really have a specific name sir. It’s just the meeting room on the fourth floor.” He glanced around before whispering, “ I’m sorry but I’m technically not allowed to speak with you,” he seemed genuinely worried someone would catch him conversing with Richard.
The Seeker nodded in understanding. Finally, they stopped at the end of a long hall. The servant opened the door for him, allowing him to walk inside. Richard turned around in time to watch the door being shut behind him. He sighed, knowing the door would be locked. He shrugged out of the D’Haran armor he wore, feeling it weighed him down too much to aid him in his impending battle. It would also make for a faster escape for him and Kahlan. His eyes scanned his surroundings. A large conference table was off to the right of the room. The left side had various desks and storage cabinets. The middle of the room was clear of obstruction; the other items in the room must have been pushed off to the sides in anticipation of Richard’s arrival. He walked over to a window, glancing out of it to see what side of the palace he was on. There was nothing else for him to do except wait.
*****
Long after the people outside of the palace had finished quoting the devotion, Kahlan was still repeating the words. After about ten minutes, Rahl abruptly interrupted her. “That’s enough for today.” Her blue orbs finally looked up at his face. He walked over to the closet, throwing a maroon dress at her. “Get dressed.” She stood uneasily, clutching her injured wrist to her chest. “Well? What are you waiting for?” She continued to stare at him. “It’s not like I’d be seeing anything I haven’t seen before,” he smirked. She turned her back on him before slipping out of the skimpy garments that still adorned her figure. The master of D’Hara watched the way her body moved in order to wriggle into the snug-fitting dress. He snuck up behind her, running a hand down her silky white skin. She shivered instinctively at his touch. His rough fingers lingered on her hip. She was frozen in place, unsure of what to do next. She listened as his footsteps moved towards the door and exited the room. She relaxed a little, lacing the dress up as fast as she possibly could. She flinched against the pain in her wrist.
When Darken Rahl re-entered, he held an object in his hand. Her eyes immediately locked on the small syringe. She took a step backwards with her left foot, preparing herself for the worst. Before her mind could process what was going on, he grabbed her around the waist, holding the Mother Confessor’s form hard up against his own. She futilely tried to knock the needle out of his hand. He jabbed it into her arm with precision, watching the beige liquid flow straight into her bloodstream. It wouldn’t take long now. He released her. She turned around to face him, horror in her expression. What had he just injected her with? “Come now,” his voice calm as if their previous exchanged had never occurred. “We don’t want to keep the Seeker waiting, now do we?” He pulled a long piece of rope out from the pocket of his robe. He snatched her sprained wrist before she had a chance to run. Her agonized screams filled the corridors as he forcefully bound her hands together behind her back. “We can’t have you trying to confess any of the guards on our little trip.” He pushed her towards the door.
Rahl marched proudly down the halls with Kahlan in front of him. She winced against the rope chaffing her already raw skin. Rigel had bound her hands for over a week straight not too long ago. Although it felt wonderful to be out of the room that now held so many dreadful memories for her, Kahlan knew where they were headed and that didn’t make her feel any better. Rahl had something devious planned for Richard. She idly wondered if the serum she had been injected with was poison so that if Richard won and he escaped with her, she would die shortly after ensuring Rahl got the last laugh. She wouldn’t put anything past this wretch of a man. She was brought out her thoughts when Rahl stopped at the end of hall. He quickly opened the door, shoving Kahlan hard so that she fell on the floor just inside the room before he too stepped inside to greet his visitor.
author: cocky_toad Amber
disclaimer: I do not own Legend of the Seeker or the Sword of Truth Books. the end.
pairing: Richard/Kahlan
rating: PG-13
spoilers: up until Bloodline
summary: Darken Rahl sends his army after Kahlan
Author's Note: Go figure, my internet went out last night lol. So here is the next chapter, a few hours late ;)
CHAPTER 11
Darken Rahl slowly made his way towards his captive. “Maybe you didn’t hear me correctly, I said pledge your loyalty to me.”
Kahlan stood up as straight as she could, defiance shinning in her eyes. “I am loyal only to the Seeker. You’re not even worth my time,” she spat.
He bit down hard, trying to keep his temper in check. This woman was very good at trying his patience. After everything he had done to her, the wench still wouldn’t back down without a fight. “You are the only person I have never understood. You would rather pledge your allegiance to someone who travels the country causing rebellion wherever he goes? One who leaves a wake of death in his path? I am only trying to bring peace to the lands, yet he insists on causing an uprising.” He shook his head sadly.
“Stop it…” she whispered, shutting her eyes tightly. She was so sick of his mind games.
“It’s not your fault. You were mislead. But now you have a choice, to make the right decision.”
“Stop it…” Kahlan covered her ears, trying to block out the words. She could still hear the devotion continuing on in the background over his voice. It was becoming too much, overwhelming her now fragile mind. “Shutup.”
He grabbed her arms, bringing them back down to her sides. “You can’t escape me Kahlan. It’s futile to resist. Your Seeker will soon learn the truth of this.” Rahl could see the confidence draining out of her. “Now, bow down to me and recite the devotion.” Kahlan closed her eyes as a last ditch effort to retreat from him. He growled, bending her sprained wrist backward forcefully. She screamed in pain. He reveled in the command he held over her as his actions brought her to her knees. “Good, now recite the words.”
She remained quiet. Rahl’s hold on her wrist tightened, causing her to grit her teeth. She didn’t want him to win, but she couldn’t see any other way out of the situation. She could prolong this, getting herself beat up in the process, but that wouldn’t help Richard in any way. If he was on his way here now, she needed to conserve her energy and strength in order to help him. Her eyes cast downward, refusing to meet the ruler of D’Hara’s. “Master Rahl…” she began. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to gag on her own words. Had she really just called him Master Rahl? It’s just part of the devotion. She tried to reason with herself that they were just words; they didn’t hold any real meaning for her. “Master Rahl guide us,” she whispered. A smug smile grew larger by the minute on Darken Rahl’s face. He had done it, he had broken her. His pride and ego got in the way of him seeing that she still retained a small part of the person she used to be. There was still a remnant of the strong-minded woman he both hated and lusted after.
Tears coursed down Kahlan’s face. In her mind, she was picturing Richard’s handsome face. She would soon see him again, and she would not let him down. He came so far just for her, there was no way she was going to fail him now. Still, the lies she was currently speaking tore at her.
Upon finishing the devotion, Rahl kicked her in the stomach. She grabbed at her midsection, still refusing to look at him. “Don’t you still hear the voices coming outside? The devotion isn’t over yet. Repeat it.” Kahlan’s head tipped up towards the ceiling, trying to regain control of herself. She turned towards the window, the last place she had seen Richard. She focused on that one spot. The words slowly rolled off of her tongue while she continued to ignore their significance.
*****
Large doors opened wide, revealing a D’Haran soldier and a servant behind it. Richard had reached the People’s Palace a lot quicker than intended since he could no longer hide. The whole area knew the Seeker was in their midst. The servant automatically went to bow to their new guest, but was prodded in the back with a dagger by the guard. He immediately straightened. “Right this way Seeker,” he said slowly, careful not to refer to Richard as “sir” as this would almost guarantee a harsher form of punishment from the soldier.
Richard eyed the guard as he stepped inside. The cleaners working in the room instantly stopped what they were doing to watch the newcomer proceed through the palace. Hushed whispers echoed in the large halls. The kitchen staff appeared in the doorway, wiping their hands on their aprons. Once past the main entrance, they started climbing a large staircase. People separated to allow them to continue on their way. Richard didn’t like the look of this: being upstairs would make for a more difficult escape. He studied every doorway and step he took, trying to commit it to memory. This place was like a maze. Once they were away from most of the crowds, the Seeker spoke up. “Where exactly are you taking me?”
The servant seemed surprised to hear Richard talk. “It doesn’t really have a specific name sir. It’s just the meeting room on the fourth floor.” He glanced around before whispering, “ I’m sorry but I’m technically not allowed to speak with you,” he seemed genuinely worried someone would catch him conversing with Richard.
The Seeker nodded in understanding. Finally, they stopped at the end of a long hall. The servant opened the door for him, allowing him to walk inside. Richard turned around in time to watch the door being shut behind him. He sighed, knowing the door would be locked. He shrugged out of the D’Haran armor he wore, feeling it weighed him down too much to aid him in his impending battle. It would also make for a faster escape for him and Kahlan. His eyes scanned his surroundings. A large conference table was off to the right of the room. The left side had various desks and storage cabinets. The middle of the room was clear of obstruction; the other items in the room must have been pushed off to the sides in anticipation of Richard’s arrival. He walked over to a window, glancing out of it to see what side of the palace he was on. There was nothing else for him to do except wait.
*****
Long after the people outside of the palace had finished quoting the devotion, Kahlan was still repeating the words. After about ten minutes, Rahl abruptly interrupted her. “That’s enough for today.” Her blue orbs finally looked up at his face. He walked over to the closet, throwing a maroon dress at her. “Get dressed.” She stood uneasily, clutching her injured wrist to her chest. “Well? What are you waiting for?” She continued to stare at him. “It’s not like I’d be seeing anything I haven’t seen before,” he smirked. She turned her back on him before slipping out of the skimpy garments that still adorned her figure. The master of D’Hara watched the way her body moved in order to wriggle into the snug-fitting dress. He snuck up behind her, running a hand down her silky white skin. She shivered instinctively at his touch. His rough fingers lingered on her hip. She was frozen in place, unsure of what to do next. She listened as his footsteps moved towards the door and exited the room. She relaxed a little, lacing the dress up as fast as she possibly could. She flinched against the pain in her wrist.
When Darken Rahl re-entered, he held an object in his hand. Her eyes immediately locked on the small syringe. She took a step backwards with her left foot, preparing herself for the worst. Before her mind could process what was going on, he grabbed her around the waist, holding the Mother Confessor’s form hard up against his own. She futilely tried to knock the needle out of his hand. He jabbed it into her arm with precision, watching the beige liquid flow straight into her bloodstream. It wouldn’t take long now. He released her. She turned around to face him, horror in her expression. What had he just injected her with? “Come now,” his voice calm as if their previous exchanged had never occurred. “We don’t want to keep the Seeker waiting, now do we?” He pulled a long piece of rope out from the pocket of his robe. He snatched her sprained wrist before she had a chance to run. Her agonized screams filled the corridors as he forcefully bound her hands together behind her back. “We can’t have you trying to confess any of the guards on our little trip.” He pushed her towards the door.
Rahl marched proudly down the halls with Kahlan in front of him. She winced against the rope chaffing her already raw skin. Rigel had bound her hands for over a week straight not too long ago. Although it felt wonderful to be out of the room that now held so many dreadful memories for her, Kahlan knew where they were headed and that didn’t make her feel any better. Rahl had something devious planned for Richard. She idly wondered if the serum she had been injected with was poison so that if Richard won and he escaped with her, she would die shortly after ensuring Rahl got the last laugh. She wouldn’t put anything past this wretch of a man. She was brought out her thoughts when Rahl stopped at the end of hall. He quickly opened the door, shoving Kahlan hard so that she fell on the floor just inside the room before he too stepped inside to greet his visitor.