'Tremble for my Beloved'-Part I-Rescue
Title:Tremble for my Beloved
Characters/Pairing: Richard/Kahlan, some of Zedd
Rating: PG to PG-13 for mature content
Summary: To save Richard, Kahlan offers herself to Darken Rahl, but she pays a terrible price.
Hello again you guys. The rest of this story I've created is from Richard's point of view as he discovers the raw emotions of someone in love. Loss. Suspicion. Horror. Blinding rage. All are present here...
Part I-Rescue
Why, Kahlan, why!
Such thought raced through my head like arrows, threatening to break my concentration. It had been nearly an hour since she was taken, since she had willingly sacrificed her freedom for mine. Against all reason, she had offered herself up as bait so Zedd and I could escape. I struggled against his embrace as Kahlan was bound and led into the palace, without so much as a glance in our direction. I knew why she did it, but failed to comprehend it. Unwillingly, Shota’s prophecy came unbidden.
He will be betrayed by the one in white.
My jaw tightened. The very thought of it was absurd. Kahlan had been on my side from
the very beginning; she was the one who had shown me what I was to become. The course of my life had been altered the moment she stepped into my life. I trusted her. Everything we had done together had been for the sake of good, to free the people trapped by the oppression of the D’Harans. Surely she did not sacrifice herself for some other purpose?
I shook my head to clear it. There were too many questions and not enough answers. I had to focus on the task at hand; distraction would be fatal at this point. The desperate moments after Kahlan’s capture were spent devising a plan. Tendrils of doubt had slithered into my thoughts, but Zedd was quick to reassure me. He did not say much; only that this was not a betrayal and Kahlan was in serious danger.
“But Confessors are supposed to be revered,” I pressed, the reality of the situation sinking in. “Surely she wouldn’t be harmed.”
Zedd only shook his head. “I wish it were that way,” he said. “But I fear Darken Rahl does not share the morals of the human heart. If he can find any way to ruin her, he will surely take it.”
A snarl erupted from my throat as I realized what he meant. ”He wouldn’t.”
The look he gave me was answer enough.
Yes, yes he would.
Though every fiber of my being wanted to surge forward and take action, Zedd made me see reason. We would have to plan carefully; every soldier would be on guard tonight, anticipating the Seeker’s appearance. A hasty disguise would get us through the gates, but it would take much more than that to rescue Kahlan without being detected. While Zedd created a distraction, I was able to slip into the castle unseen. I felt for the Sword under my cloak and grasped the hilt, ready to fight. Thankfully, I faced no one as I slithered down the torch-lit corridor. No doubt the sentries had left their posts to investigate the commotion outside. I made quick work of the guards I did meet, the Sword of Truth sliding cleanly between their ribs. My instincts led me upward, toward the higher towers of the keep. The Sword throbbed in my grip, as if sensing the proximity of its prey. I was close. I had entered a wide hall, crimson tapestries hanging from the ceiling. At the other end, a long staircase spiraled upward, leading to a more lavish part of the castle.
Hold on, Kahlan I thought fervorently as I bounded up the stairs. I’m coming.
The Sword was glowed a fiery orange when I reached the top, facing a pair of double doors. My eyes narrowed. This was it. In the next instant, the Sword blazing in my hand, I wrenched the door open.
At first I could see nothing, for the fire was burning low in the hearth. As my eyes adjusted, I could make out the outline of a bed, and something pale on top of it. My breath caught in my chest as I realized what I was looking at.
Kahlan
She was sprawled over the dark furs, her translucent skin glowing in the faint light. Purple bruises covered her arms and torso, a crimson slash running across a delicate cheekbone. I staggered backward, overcome with the sight. Hot bile rose in my throat. There was no question what had happened. When I regained my balance, I approached her, careful to keep my eyes downcast. I had hoped to see her full beauty one day, but not like this. How could something so pure, so sacred to the people of the Midlands be taken so savagely? A sudden movement interrupted such questions.
“Beautiful, isn’t she?”
I spun to meet the inquiry, only to come face to face with the adversary I had been hunting since my father’s murder. Before I could think, I lunged toward Darken Rahl, the Sword aimed at his throat. He smoothly backed against the wall, a grin playing on his face.
“I’m surprised you didn’t get there first,” he mused; the casual tone of his voice made my skin crawl, but I held my ground.
“Not that you could, of course,” he continued, sidling towards the bed. “Confessors are formidable creatures. I was quite lucky to find one with such a…yielding disposition.” He emphasized his words by trailing a finger down Kahlan’s unmarked cheek.
The subtle gesture nearly sent me over the edge.
“Don’t touch her!” I snarled, pressing the blade closer to his skin. He merely smiled and straightened.
“Or what, Richard Cypher?” he challenged. “Are you really going to kill me? Some people have said that you are too merciful for bloodshed. One wouldn’t want to ruin such a reputation, now would they? Of course, others would call you foolish for missing such a grand opportunity.”
Blinded by fury, I barely noticed the double doors being opened again, nor the voice of reason that came with it.
“Richard!” I heard Zedd yell. But I refused to turn my back from the man in front of me.
“What’s it going to be, Seeker? Take you revenge and defend the one you love, or leave empty-handed and pray you get another chance to run me through?”
I pressed the Sword closer, a thrill of satisfaction coursing through me when I saw a trail of blood trickling down his throat.
“Richard, stop!” Zedd urged, working his way around me to tend to Kahlan. “I know what you’re feeling, but I assure you now’s not the time. We’ve got to get out of here now.”
I finally tore my gaze from Darken Rahl to glance at my mentor, my eyes beseeching. My heart lurched as I watched him gather the linen sheets over Kahlan’s form, covering her as best he could. When he had her securely huddled in his arms, he met my eyes.
“I promise you will get your revenge,” he assured me. “But at the moment Kahlan’s safety should be your top priority.”
It was like being struck by lightning. Zedd was absolutely right. I was still too inexperienced to face Rahl alone, and this was first and foremost a rescue mission. Trembling with anger, I slowly lowered the Sword, only to punch him fiercely in the gut. His knees buckled, but he did not fall.
“You will pay for what you’ve done,” I hissed into his ear. “And for every other innocent life you’ve tortured. Consider yourself lucky.”
I straightened and followed Zedd out of the room, a round of triumphant laughter following us all the while.