Broken Chains part 8 /?
Title: Broken chains Part 8/?
Author: chickinwhite
Pairing: Kahlan/Cara
Rating: PG 17
Word account: ~5600
Summary: This adventure starts a good time after tears. It is about old scars and new bonds,
about friends and foes, about confidence and betraying,
Disclaimer: Nothing of LotS belongs to me (such a pity!) - no business, just fan-fun
AN: Ok, it´s been a while. What happened last? Well, Kahlan and Cara had a little ..nice.interlude... but there are still a few questions and there is a threat ahead... Short AN, I know, I wanted to post next weekend. I pushed up just because I think a little motivation might help..(.RL is annoying...)
Part 1; Part 2; Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7
Kahlan woke up alone; it wasn´t her mind that recognized that fact first, but her body already yearned for the missing warmth at her side. Still a little dizzy with sleep her thoughts sauntered to the Mord Sith who should be near her...When she finally opened her eyes a small frown lay on her face.
She found herself firmly wrapped into the blanket; the low sizzling fire gave content cracking noises, like whispers and low chuckles of people from afar. Beside her waited a warm cup of tea.
Kahlan looked at it with a little awe. A smile settled on her face, admiring the cup with dreamy eyes.
Her Mord Sith was caring...
Closing her eyes she sipped a few mouthfuls and let the liquid warm her guts. Finally she lolled and turned, her eyes searching for the blonde.
As if on demand, the Mord Sith entered the cave in this exact moment. Holding a cup of tea of her own she stepped in just far enough to find a soft spot along the moss covered walls, then turned and leaned there motionless. Her green gaze started taking small travels along the landscape outside; gliding over the horses, grazing there, the clouds, now sluggishly sweeping in exhausted bunches after the stormy rabblement of the night.
Kahlan watched her and smiled. She doubted that the blonde really saw anything of it as lost to her thoughts as she seemed. Her face held a strange expression of wonder, mixed with something close to easiness. It was a soft and incredibly touching sight; reaching straightly for Kahlan´s heart and filling her chest with warmth. The Confessor felt unable to avert her eyes.
The blonde was stunning.
At last Kahlan stood slowly, as quiet as possible, wrapped her still heated body into the blanket and stepped cautiously behind the Mord Sith.
“Good morning, stranger.” Smiling she pressed a tender kiss to her shoulder. Cara let out a small snort and leaned back, rubbing her head softly against her.
“I would think you knew me by now.”
Kahlan hummed. “Oh, I do. But there is so much more to learn...Until now I mostly knew the Mord Sith Cara. From the woman Cara I had only gotten a few glimpses before last night...”
“Hmm... And now? Disappointed by her?” the blonde asked playfully, but not without a hint of uncertainness.
Kahlan sighed a smile against her ear. Her voice was a low murmur.
“I already had a very faint idea about her, you know? But I was far from doing justice to her. Now I know she is the most Adorable. Lovable. Worthiest and Strongest woman I´ve ever known. And certainly the both of them, the Mord Sith and the woman that lives inside her make the most perfect creature the Creator ever allowed walking on Her precious earth.” She pressed her lips to her shoulder, slightly teasing her skin with teeth and tongue, feeling the shiver she caused running down.
And then she added in a low, solemn voice:
“And I am rootedly grateful, that this woman and her Mord Sith, chose me...”
She breathed another tender kiss to her neck, before she whispered in her most earnest tone. “Thank you, Cara. I mean it!”
Cara slowly moved and looked at her over her shoulder, the wonder in her eyes even deeper than before. Until a teasing slap on her back startled her.
“But now, you should leave the entrance and go inside, Cara.”
“And why should I do so?” A smirk curled the blonde´s lips.
“Cara - you´re naked!”
Cara chuckled. “Oh yes, I remember! I always adored your sharp senses, Confessor...”
This time Kahlan slapped her back in mock indignation.
“And what if a hunter comes along? Or if some savage creatures attack us all in a sudden?? You have not even your agiels with you.”
The Mord Sith growled, her eyes narrowed instantly. “Don´t worry, Kahlan. I would strangle them with my bare hands before they could harm you.”
Kahlan chuckled; but when Cara turned and she noticed a slight frown on her face she recognized that it had been a solemn promise. Her eyes beamed as she leaned forward, brushing her lips slightly against Cara´s ears.
“Maybe I just do not want to share this sight with anyone... maybe I am just a jealous lover...”she purred.
The blonde turned around and now stood in front of her, grinning mischievously, her empty cup clanked to the ground. She raised her brow and pursed her lips seductively, knowing exactly the effect it would have on the Confessor. She tugged at her arms until Kahlan opened the blanket and let the blonde slip in. Cara took it as an invitation to press her naked skin, chilled from the fresh air outside, against Kahlan´s warmth, rubbing her breasts against hers; wrapping her arms around her while the brunette closed the blanket behind her back.
“In this case, we should consider sealing the entrance with a giant rock; and never leave this cave again...”
Kahlan groaned when she felt knowing hands searching under the blanket for the right spots.
“Oh... How I wish we could...” She hissed sharply as meddlesome fingers sneaked between her legs, ghosting through her locks. Her forehead settled heavily against Cara´s.
“Mmm, I wish... but you know... Comorra...”
Cara kissed her fiercely, her tongue promising things that made Kahlan blush.
“We have waited two years...“she purred in a dark voice. “I´m sure Comorra can wait a few hours now.” She licked her bottom lip and stared into her eyes in a challenge, still grinning, then slowly lowered her head and kissed and licked her way down, vanishing behind the blanket´s cover while a throaty noise welled up from Kahlan´s chest and she pressed against the cave´s wall to steady herself.
Comorra quickly faded from her mind as other things became much more real....
*******
The wizard watched his grandson from his place at the round table in the small snug of the inn. From the tavern behind the walls the noises of other guests welled in muffled waves, a roaring laughter breaking through every now and then. It was filled with frequents and soldiers, the latter keeping suspicious eyes on the villagers while a handful Mord Sith guarded the door to the small adjoining room, where Lord Rahl greeted his grandfather.
Inside Berdine and Raina stood straight and motionless at the door, their eyes following a pacing Richard. His face was hard, his eyes narrowed; Zedd knew he was listening only halfheartedly to the conversation between him and Verna. He guessed a good part of his mind was with the women he had expected to arrive with him, but who weren´t. He hadn´t asked why, but Zedd knew they would need to talk later. The wizard´s brows kept furrowed while he tried to concentrate on Verna´s report.
The Sister of the Light stared at the table. She looked tired and aged, but still emanated that stern kind of beauty that had always been able to cast a spell over him. Only by now it was disturbed by deep lines across her forehead; lines which had been carved by strong concern and foreboding calamity.
“Darken Rahl has been living close to the former barrier for quite a long time. He had claimed an abandoned Mord Sith temple and from there he sent his scouts to D´Hara. Apparently they have been successfully searching for the scattered allies of their Lord. I´ve been told that during the months more and more Mord Sith arrived there, as well as quite a lot of soldiers and other darksome figures. He gathered them all around himself. I guess he has a nearly two hundred men and Mord Sith, not counting the ones who waited for him when he started to march.
It must have been two months ago when he began his journey from the temple to the north. My scouts followed him, so that I was able to track his path. At first he and his allies headed straight to the People´s Palace. And they seemed to march at a good pace. I assume he intended to surprise the Palace while Richard stayed in Aydindril. Certainly he thought it would be easy to have a good part of his army back on his side without the need to fight before Richard would even get aware of him.
But a few weeks ago they suddenly slackened and then changed direction to the east. They entered the southern parts of the Midlands. I assume that was when Rahl got news that Richard had arrived at the People´s Palace and taken his righteous place as Lord Rahl. Apparently he does not intend to go into an open battle and I´m afraid he has developed a plan which includes some mad tricks inside the Midlands. Probably he tries to ploy Richard. And probably that means he is on his way to Aydindril.”
She watched Zedd frowning as he considered her words.
“Did he cause any harm on his way yet?”
“A few villages he came across have tasted his anger when they were not instantly convinced to submit to their former tyrant. But you know him...” Her eyes clouded. “He is not one to be patient. After he has made a few examples of his... peremptoriness, news spread quickly. The far south of D´Hara is already crouched in fear again. But since he travels in the Midlands he is far more guarded. He does not want to gain more attention than strictly necessary. It seems as if he has divorced his little army into many small troops, sneaking on different paths; hiding from curious eyes and connected by runners between them. By now we do not know where exactly he hides himself.”
Zedd sighed and shook his head. The crinkles in his cheeks seemed to deepen as he clenched his jaw.
Verna searched his eyes with an angry fire in her brown glare. “We must stop him, whatever he plans. Or he will bring great harm to Aydindril. To all of the Midlands! And to D´Hara.” Her stare bored into Zedd. Richard had stopped pacing and now put a hand on his grandfather´s shoulder.
“As far as we know he has already started to sneak his tentacles behind our defenses.”
Zedd shot him a questioning glare. Richard´s face was shadowed as he nodded to Verna, asking her to continue. She briefly closed her eyes and inhaled deeply before she spoke again. Her voice had taken a husky tone.
“The two young fellas I have sent to you, Zedd. I have chosen them personally with great care. They were talented and ambitious young wizards. You know, Zedd, how very much I appreciated your offer to teach some of my pupils and guide them on their way to become true and honorable wizards. They were like family to me...”
The old wizard frowned as he saw her trembling and felt his blood rushing through his veins in quickened waves. Her voice had lowly darkened, as if grieve was flowing with her words.
“On my way to Richard, a few leagues before the frontier to the Midlands, my horse balked as a startled pack of wild dogs attacked us from out of the tree lines beside the road. I could chase them away; but... I was curious of what kind of prey they had tried to defend...”
A sob broke her breath; some tears rolled down over her pale cheeks. Zedd leaned forward and patted her arm soothingly. When she looked up, her eyes had veiled with hurt.
“It was Connor´s dead body. He...” she stopped again, trying to swallow against the lump that kept her words caught in her throat.
“What happened to him, Verna?” Zedd asked gently, his eyes resting compassionately on her gaunt face.
“He... Oh Zedd! His body had been skinned; and then thrown into the woods as though he was no more than any dead cattle.” Her voice almost broke and she gritted her teeth to not lose her poise. Zedd sighed deeply, pulling her tense body into a gentle hug while his eyes searched Richards. His grandson´s face was contorted with sorrow and heating anger. Barely able to hide his lust for revenge for the murder of the young wizard. After a few moments Verna pulled away and took a deep breath to gain control over her voice.
“It is my fault.” She whispered.
“I should have warned them more precisely. I should have prepared them more carefully for the dangers that waited on their way.” She looked up at first Zedd, then Richard with her teary eyes, searching for their reproaches, but only found compassion and sorrow in the wizard´s glare and fierce determination in Richard´s.
“Do you know how that could happen?”
“At the time they left I did not know yet that one of the wizards who were sworn to the Sisters of the Dark had recently escaped from his prison and seemingly intended to join Rahl´s army.
I do not know if it was planned, but I assume he followed Connor and Jackson for quite a while. And when he got the chance he must have separated them.” She clenched her jaw and straightened a little, shifting her eyes to stare at Zedd intensely.
“I think by skinning him he stripped Connor from his powers and then took his features, so that Jackson did not suspect anything wrong. I am sure he is a helper of Darken Rahl. And he is now in Aydindril. And if I am right, the heart of the Midlands is in great danger! As are Kahlan and her sister!”
While listening, Zedd´s lips had become a thin line and now he stared to the nothing. His elbow rested on the table, his forehead sank slowly into his palm. He breathed heavily, as if feeling the threat already thickening the air. Sheer horror reaching for his heart and gripping it tightly.
A dark wizard in the Keep. Walking openly through the magical halls. Learning details he should never learn. And freely entering the Confessor´s Palace.
This meant much more than just danger... This could easily lead to catastrophes.
*******
“You have sent for me, Confessor?”
He could see her outside, leaning against the frame of the balcony and watching the courtyards, where a newly arrived group just dismounted their horses. He took the chance to feast his eyes on the curves of her slender form, his lips twitched into a sneer. When she turned and entered her working chambers, striding to her desk and seating on her chair before she shifted her eyes to her visitor, his face had long taken an expressionless mask.
The young man in front of her stood straight. He seemed in his early twenties, though Dennee knew his age could be as well a few hundred years. Where he came from, the dimensions of time did not work as they did here. He was a tall, broad-shouldered, handsome guy, dark green eyes glowing self-confident from under his almost black brows. His dark-brown hair fell in loose waves to his shoulders. His chin was outstanding, and his hooked nose gave him the appearance of a hungry hawk. He bowed his head, though she did not acknowledge the slightest devotion in his gesture.
Dennee eyed him briefly with an arrogant expression of disdain. But when he looked up he saw into the calm mask of a Confessor.
“Wizard Connor! I have heard you are a talented and well informed wizard. Well, I guess you have noticed that during the last days an increasing amount of messengers has arrived to Aydindril. They are coming from different kingdoms and shires. But they all have the same news to tell. There is a threat walking through the Midlands. Words flow that Darken Rahl seems to be the cause of the concerns. By now it is not known exactly what is going on. But as Zedd is not here it will be up to you, as the elder Wizard on duty, to make sure that our magical defenses will be prepared when Rahl shows up. Your younger colleague... what was his name? Jackson, right?” The wizard nodded shortly.
“Well, he will assist you. How far has Zedd introduced you to Aydindril´s protection systems before he left?”
“The wizard hasn´t granted us much more than a survey yet. I don´t know if that will be sufficient for what you are asking from me.” His green eyes met hers with an expecting glance. “I might need further informations.” His eyes took a wily glance. “ Or maybe we should wait until Wizard Zorander will be back?”
The Confessor watched him thoughtfully, and then tilted her head. “I do not expect him back to Aydindril so soon... Most of the information lies in the Keep where only the wizards have access. But possibly I will find some papers in my sister´s working chambers. I will see what I can do. I will let you know then.”
She waved a hand to dismiss him but he stood still.
“What else do you intend to do, Confessor?”
Dennee raised a brow, surprised by his bold question.
“I don´t know why you ask, but I will meet with the council in a few days. By then I will have heard all the messengers and gathered every detail they know.”
“Do you think the council will listen to your advice?”
Dennee frowned angrily and shot him a warning glare. He was here as just an apprentice. How could he dare questioning her?
“Oh, I am sorry, Confessor. I did not intend to offend you! I apologize if I am too prying. I just...heard a few things.” he briefly bowed again, then stared at her mischievously while she raised a demanding eyebrow.
“The Mother Confessor is not here to take care of the problem. Instead she prefers to travel with a Mord Sith in a disputable mission while little girls vanish wherever they have been seen and rumors spread, that this Mord Sith might be the head of a troop close to Rahl, kidnapping the girls on his biddings.”
Dennee had straightened and watched him suspiciously. “What else have you heard?”
He dropped his head, hiding the smirk on his face. “I have heard that a part of the council does not trust the Mother Confessor anymore. That they say, she has weakened during the years. And that she is under the influence of this Mord Sith.”
His eyes watched her from under his brows as he drawled pointedly.
“It is said, that the leadership of the Midlands should be considered anew...”
He did not miss the brief flutter of her eyes. But she quickly hid behind her confessor mask again. Her voice was cold when she answered after a while, nodding slowly.
“I thank you for the information. I would very appreciate you to stay vigilant further on.”
The Confessor rose from her chair. The meeting was over.
Connor bowed one more time; not waiting for her order to leave he turned and strode out.
Dennee´s eyes followed him with burning disdain.
She did not like him.
But she needed him.
*******
Cara rolled her eyes when Kahlan´s knee brushed against her own again. She looked at her in mock annoyance. “You disturb my horse!”
The brunette grinned and pretended to stare ahead.
They were close to a village, intending to stay there for the night before reaching Comorra probably around tomorrow early afternoon.
It had been an easy ride up to here. The storm of the night had cleared the air, a cheerful sun had watched over them as they had settled for a rest at the river side. Appreciating the opportunity of bath after lunch. Cara had been taken by surprise, but clearly enjoyed how unashamed Kahlan felt in her presence, playfully teasing her, thankfully taking every opportunity to touch her, stroking her skin; soon they had found themselves in the other´s arms again. Passion had washed them away in heated waves.
It had cost them quite an effort to finally continue their way...
Now Kahlan patted Shadows neck, still wearing a smile. Her eyes swept over the black ears of Cara´s horse and she pointed at him amused.
“Does he have a name at least?”
“Black” Cara shot instantly. “And before you ask: no, he is not my friend. He is just my horse!”
Kahlan laughed, shaking her head, thinking of the day Cara had followed her to her clearing. So much had happened since then. She still smiled when she turned and eyed Cara. The blonde was staring pensively at the grey horse Kahlan rode, a slight frown on her face.
The Confessor waited a moment, tilting her head as the blonde´s frown deepened.
“Cara?”
The Mord Sith shifted her eyes, her sea green gaze met hers almost reluctantly. Kahlan saw how she chewed her lip and knew something burned on her tongue. She cocked her brows questioningly. The blonde dropped her eyes back to Shadow´s neck and another moment passed by before she asked in a husky voice:
“What happened the day when...” The Mord Sith bit her tongue. She suddenly assumed that “when you lost your child” would not go well for Kahlan. So she continued: “...when Shadow became your friend?”
The sudden silence that followed her question made her regret her boldness immediately. She barely dared a sidelong glance to the Confessor. In an icy wave she felt the tiny hairs on her arm raise as she saw her face.
Kahlan had frozen. Her face had lost its color, she stared to the nothing; the sparkling blue of her eyes seemed substituted by a dark grey, as if heavy rain was suddenly veiling her mind. She obviously swallowed against tears.
Cara shifted uncomfortably in her saddle, aghast of Kahlan´s reaction. Not knowing how to recall her silly question, she cleared her throat twice, and then reined her horse, gripping Shadows lines as well and bringing them to a halt.
“Kahlan?” she leaned forward, grabbing her arm and forcing her to turn and look at her.
“It´s okay, Kahlan. You do not need to talk about it. I´m sorry... it was a silly question; forget it, okay?”
Kahlan dropped her eyes absently; a single tear had made its way over her lashes and rolled down her cheek. Cara scowled and squirmed slightly, cursed herself for being so boneheaded. Her hand reached out and wiped the drop from her cheek.
“I am sorry Kahlan, okay? I´m sorry...” Her voice was a helpless whisper; but it reached the Confessor and she looked at the blonde, forcing an ever so faint smile, and nodded. With a sigh she gripped the reins and pushed Shadow into a trot, pulling her hood up, as though she tried to shield herself against the world. The Mord Sith huffed lowly, biting her lip, gripping an agiel in an unconscious motion and followed.
The Mother Confessor seemed to regain control over her emotions within some long moments. When the edge of the village appeared on the road ahead, Cara was still a horse length behind her. Finally Kahlan turned. Her face was earnest, but the color had returned to her cheeks and when she smiled at her, it reached her eyes as she waited for her Mord Sith. Then she saw that Cara´s hand had tightened around her agiel, and she frowned. The blonde´s shoulder´s were hunched, her eyes were hard. She dropped them to the ground before Kahlan could lock their gaze.
The Mother Confessor sighed.
“No, Cara! Don´t be angry with you! It´s okay, really, it is.” She reached out to lay her hand on the blonde´s arm. “You have every right to ask. It´s just... I was not prepared.” She searched for her eyes... and for the words to explain that the memories were painful. That she wanted to tell her, but not right now. That she might need time...
“Mord Sith!!”
They both startled with the shrill.
“Mord Sith! They are Mord Sith!!” Sheer horror lay in the screaming voice.
Kahlan turned to see a few people run from the fields ahead and racing towards the puny fences that surrounded the village. A boy still screamed out loud.
“Father! Mord Sith are coming!”
two dozen men appeared from nowhere, most of them peasants, holding any kind of weapons they had been able to grab in their haste: forks and ax’s, even a scythe; a few guards with swords in their hands rushed to their lead.
Cara had straightened. A deep scowl crossed her face as she pushed her horse to pass Kahlan and settle in front of her. Unconsciously Kahlan proved her daggers and followed the Mord Sith on the fly.
They stopped close to the crowd. Cara jumped out of her saddle and built up in front of the men, her menacing agiels pointed to their line. Her face emanated fury, her eyes had narrowed, her jaw was set tightly. Kahlan saw her pose and knew she would not hesitate to kill all of them if she only got a reason. She dismounted and stood straight just a step behind her Mord Sith. Waiting.
A tall and coarse man with a rusty sword that he held as though it was a hammer stepped in front of the men. He had only eyes for Cara. His aggressive voice seemed to be meant as a weapon as well.
“Get along with you, bitches! Here is no space for you and your kind!”
Kahlan saw women behind the men; their faces were frightened, but they held a strong grip to more forks and a few bludgeons. The men had half circled the two women and raised their weapons towards them.
A few shouts were heard:
“Send them to the Keeper!”...
“Let´s show them how we treat monsters!”...
“You won´t get our girls!”...
Cara straightened even more as she snarled dangerously.
“We have no intentions to hurt you. But I will not ask for your reasons before I kill you. You do not know whom you are impending!” She stepped closer, her agiels singing in anticipation; she would strike at the slightest move of him.
That was the moment when Kahlan strode past her, her hand swiftly brushing her arm in a soothing gesture.
“Kahlan! What do you think you are doing?” Cara hissed. But Kahlan stepped in front of the man who seemed to be the leader. As her hand moved to pull her hood down he raised his sword and put its tip to her chest. Cara jerked briefly, but held her position as Kahlan only frowned and raised her chin. When her hood fell to her shoulders a breeze made the dark flood of her hair flutter around her. A startled murmur rushed through the little crowd in front of them. Whispers and gasps.
“Drop Your Weapons!”
The Mother Confessor´s voice echoed clearly and with the force of majesty that didn´t allow any disagree. Cara shifted her eyes briefly, surprised by a tone as she had never heard before from Kahlan. The woman in front of her had lost the slightest sign of Kahlan´s softness; it was the Midlands sovereign that raised her voice. Unmistakable. Unquestionable. And angry.
The man in front of her winced unsurely, but his sword kept its position on Kahlan´s chest. His companions flinched as well, their faces contorted between defiance and fright.
The brunette stared at him coldly, her eyes shimmering with searing blue ice.
“Who speaks for you?” The Mother Confessor finally demanded, ignoring the swords tip that almost touched her skin. Her gaze swept along the line of men to make sure they all felt addressed.
The man before her scowled with narrowed eyes.
“I do.”
Her eyes met his again, staring him down with her iron glare;
“So you are the one who leads his men to greet the Mother Confessor with weapons? Who is responsible for daring to threaten me?”
She stepped closer, her entire posture emanating an ice-cold power as she shoved his sword aside unyieldingly, slowly reaching with her hand for his throat, catching his eyes with hers. Gasps were heard from his people. Again her voice echoed loudly.
“Put your weapons down! Or you will suffer by the hand of the Mother Confessor for your disrespect! Each of you!”
The first men lowered their weapons reluctantly, shifting their eyes anxiously to see how their companions reacted. From behind a woman hasted through their lines.
“Jacob!”
The mountain of a man under her hand squirmed to shout out.
“Stay behind, woman! This is not your business!”
The woman, a chunky brown-haired in her late thirties, came not even to a halt beside him before she slapped his neck fiercely.
“You stupid ox of a husband! Can´t you see whom you threaten? Put your silly sword down and bow before the Mother Confessor like it behooves you!”
And as if she just realized she herself stood in front of her Majesty, she blushed deeply and sank to her knees.
“Mother Confessor, please forgive us!”
Kahlan´s steely stare softened immediately, calm warmth radiating from her eyes as she looked at the woman kneeling in front of her. The rest of the crowd hesitated shortly, but then more and more of them went down, until only Jacob, still with her hand wrapped around his throat, was standing.
Kahlan pulled her hand away and stared into his eyes with a blue burning fire, forcing him to his knees with her glare only. Then she turned and addressed the woman, who still held her head close to the earth in humbleness. Her voice was stern, but had lost the warning.
“Rise, child. And tell me why you people presume to greet the Mother Confessor with swords and forks.”
The woman stood slowly, not daring to raise her head; deeply embarrassed and blushing furiously .
“Please forgive us, Mother Confessor. We did not recognize you. We only saw the red leather of...” words failed her and she only nodded slightly into Cara´s direction.
Kahlan´s eyes narrowed into a deep frown, raising her voice for everyone to hear her words. She pointed with her hand towards the Mord Sith by her side.
“This woman is my personal guard. She is friend and confidant to the Mother Confessor. She stays with her life for not only my wellbeing, but for all of the Midlands! Threatening her means threatening me! I will not allow that.”
Cara still stood like a statue, shooting wary glances around. Only her eyes twitched at Kahlan´s words.
She turned and addressed all of them, who were still kneeling, not daring to move if not for their surreptitious eyes as they watched what was going on.
“Lay your weapons down and rise. I will not judge over you. It seems you are frightened and I assume you were thinking you defended your village.”
Swords and forks clanked to the ground while they stood, their stares intimidated and sheepish, some shifting uncomfortably.
Kahlan looked at the big man who still kneeled.
“Your name is Jacob?” He nodded.
“Rise.” He obeyed.
She eyed him a long moment, her eyes shooting ice again
“I respect your bravery to stand against the Mother Confessor´s touch to defend your family. But I will not forgive your fatuousness. Fortunately this village is graced with prudent women. You´d better thank your wife for her intervention.” His wife grinned proudly.
“Now why are you frightened?”
The woman spoke instead of him.
“There have been several attacks of Mord Sith lately, Mother Confessor. They have stolen girls. Four are missed within a two days ride, and one has been caught just a league away two days earlier... We... We don´t want to lose our girls to these monsters.” She flinched as Cara shifted slightly. Kahlan changed a dark glare with her friend, frowning. These were bad news.
“Please forgive us; but we have lost too much already...” The woman´s words were barely a whisper.
Kahlan´s gaze softened. She reached out and laid a hand on the woman´s arm.
“Do not be worried. I forgive you. You had reasons to distrust us first.
We will stay for tonight and talk about it tomorrow before we leave. Actually we came here to search for a room for the night...”
Jacob seemed to come alive; hoping to make amends for his earlier behavior.
“We have a nice inn, Mother Confessor. Please let us offer you a warm place to sleep and food and beverages... whatever you need.” He offered assiduously.
Kahlan´s gaze met his earnestly.
“No. This village has forfeited the honor to host the Mother Confessor for now.” She watched as he dropped his head shamefacedly. Her gaze searched the surroundings, freezing on a small hill nearby which was crowned with a light copse.
“We will have camp on this hill.” She looked at the people and raised her voice once more in a calm but admonishing tone.
“I expect it to be a calm and uneventful night. Any perturbance, no matter of which kind, will be seen as a personal affront. You´d be well advised to take care of that.”
Without waiting for a response she turned, shooting Cara a short glance, and mounted her horse. The Mord Sith let her eyes glide over the villagers in a last daring glance and then followed Kahlan wordlessly. Soon they were heading to the top of the hill, while several groups of villagers rushed to arrange small posts around the hill, resolved to at least stand watch over the Mother Confessor and her Mord Sith for the night.
t.b.c.
... on to part 9
Author: chickinwhite
Pairing: Kahlan/Cara
Rating: PG 17
Word account: ~5600
Summary: This adventure starts a good time after tears. It is about old scars and new bonds,
about friends and foes, about confidence and betraying,
Disclaimer: Nothing of LotS belongs to me (such a pity!) - no business, just fan-fun
AN: Ok, it´s been a while. What happened last? Well, Kahlan and Cara had a little ..nice.interlude... but there are still a few questions and there is a threat ahead... Short AN, I know, I wanted to post next weekend. I pushed up just because I think a little motivation might help..(.RL is annoying...)
Part 1; Part 2; Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7
Kahlan woke up alone; it wasn´t her mind that recognized that fact first, but her body already yearned for the missing warmth at her side. Still a little dizzy with sleep her thoughts sauntered to the Mord Sith who should be near her...When she finally opened her eyes a small frown lay on her face.
She found herself firmly wrapped into the blanket; the low sizzling fire gave content cracking noises, like whispers and low chuckles of people from afar. Beside her waited a warm cup of tea.
Kahlan looked at it with a little awe. A smile settled on her face, admiring the cup with dreamy eyes.
Her Mord Sith was caring...
Closing her eyes she sipped a few mouthfuls and let the liquid warm her guts. Finally she lolled and turned, her eyes searching for the blonde.
As if on demand, the Mord Sith entered the cave in this exact moment. Holding a cup of tea of her own she stepped in just far enough to find a soft spot along the moss covered walls, then turned and leaned there motionless. Her green gaze started taking small travels along the landscape outside; gliding over the horses, grazing there, the clouds, now sluggishly sweeping in exhausted bunches after the stormy rabblement of the night.
Kahlan watched her and smiled. She doubted that the blonde really saw anything of it as lost to her thoughts as she seemed. Her face held a strange expression of wonder, mixed with something close to easiness. It was a soft and incredibly touching sight; reaching straightly for Kahlan´s heart and filling her chest with warmth. The Confessor felt unable to avert her eyes.
The blonde was stunning.
At last Kahlan stood slowly, as quiet as possible, wrapped her still heated body into the blanket and stepped cautiously behind the Mord Sith.
“Good morning, stranger.” Smiling she pressed a tender kiss to her shoulder. Cara let out a small snort and leaned back, rubbing her head softly against her.
“I would think you knew me by now.”
Kahlan hummed. “Oh, I do. But there is so much more to learn...Until now I mostly knew the Mord Sith Cara. From the woman Cara I had only gotten a few glimpses before last night...”
“Hmm... And now? Disappointed by her?” the blonde asked playfully, but not without a hint of uncertainness.
Kahlan sighed a smile against her ear. Her voice was a low murmur.
“I already had a very faint idea about her, you know? But I was far from doing justice to her. Now I know she is the most Adorable. Lovable. Worthiest and Strongest woman I´ve ever known. And certainly the both of them, the Mord Sith and the woman that lives inside her make the most perfect creature the Creator ever allowed walking on Her precious earth.” She pressed her lips to her shoulder, slightly teasing her skin with teeth and tongue, feeling the shiver she caused running down.
And then she added in a low, solemn voice:
“And I am rootedly grateful, that this woman and her Mord Sith, chose me...”
She breathed another tender kiss to her neck, before she whispered in her most earnest tone. “Thank you, Cara. I mean it!”
Cara slowly moved and looked at her over her shoulder, the wonder in her eyes even deeper than before. Until a teasing slap on her back startled her.
“But now, you should leave the entrance and go inside, Cara.”
“And why should I do so?” A smirk curled the blonde´s lips.
“Cara - you´re naked!”
Cara chuckled. “Oh yes, I remember! I always adored your sharp senses, Confessor...”
This time Kahlan slapped her back in mock indignation.
“And what if a hunter comes along? Or if some savage creatures attack us all in a sudden?? You have not even your agiels with you.”
The Mord Sith growled, her eyes narrowed instantly. “Don´t worry, Kahlan. I would strangle them with my bare hands before they could harm you.”
Kahlan chuckled; but when Cara turned and she noticed a slight frown on her face she recognized that it had been a solemn promise. Her eyes beamed as she leaned forward, brushing her lips slightly against Cara´s ears.
“Maybe I just do not want to share this sight with anyone... maybe I am just a jealous lover...”she purred.
The blonde turned around and now stood in front of her, grinning mischievously, her empty cup clanked to the ground. She raised her brow and pursed her lips seductively, knowing exactly the effect it would have on the Confessor. She tugged at her arms until Kahlan opened the blanket and let the blonde slip in. Cara took it as an invitation to press her naked skin, chilled from the fresh air outside, against Kahlan´s warmth, rubbing her breasts against hers; wrapping her arms around her while the brunette closed the blanket behind her back.
“In this case, we should consider sealing the entrance with a giant rock; and never leave this cave again...”
Kahlan groaned when she felt knowing hands searching under the blanket for the right spots.
“Oh... How I wish we could...” She hissed sharply as meddlesome fingers sneaked between her legs, ghosting through her locks. Her forehead settled heavily against Cara´s.
“Mmm, I wish... but you know... Comorra...”
Cara kissed her fiercely, her tongue promising things that made Kahlan blush.
“We have waited two years...“she purred in a dark voice. “I´m sure Comorra can wait a few hours now.” She licked her bottom lip and stared into her eyes in a challenge, still grinning, then slowly lowered her head and kissed and licked her way down, vanishing behind the blanket´s cover while a throaty noise welled up from Kahlan´s chest and she pressed against the cave´s wall to steady herself.
Comorra quickly faded from her mind as other things became much more real....
*******
The wizard watched his grandson from his place at the round table in the small snug of the inn. From the tavern behind the walls the noises of other guests welled in muffled waves, a roaring laughter breaking through every now and then. It was filled with frequents and soldiers, the latter keeping suspicious eyes on the villagers while a handful Mord Sith guarded the door to the small adjoining room, where Lord Rahl greeted his grandfather.
Inside Berdine and Raina stood straight and motionless at the door, their eyes following a pacing Richard. His face was hard, his eyes narrowed; Zedd knew he was listening only halfheartedly to the conversation between him and Verna. He guessed a good part of his mind was with the women he had expected to arrive with him, but who weren´t. He hadn´t asked why, but Zedd knew they would need to talk later. The wizard´s brows kept furrowed while he tried to concentrate on Verna´s report.
The Sister of the Light stared at the table. She looked tired and aged, but still emanated that stern kind of beauty that had always been able to cast a spell over him. Only by now it was disturbed by deep lines across her forehead; lines which had been carved by strong concern and foreboding calamity.
“Darken Rahl has been living close to the former barrier for quite a long time. He had claimed an abandoned Mord Sith temple and from there he sent his scouts to D´Hara. Apparently they have been successfully searching for the scattered allies of their Lord. I´ve been told that during the months more and more Mord Sith arrived there, as well as quite a lot of soldiers and other darksome figures. He gathered them all around himself. I guess he has a nearly two hundred men and Mord Sith, not counting the ones who waited for him when he started to march.
It must have been two months ago when he began his journey from the temple to the north. My scouts followed him, so that I was able to track his path. At first he and his allies headed straight to the People´s Palace. And they seemed to march at a good pace. I assume he intended to surprise the Palace while Richard stayed in Aydindril. Certainly he thought it would be easy to have a good part of his army back on his side without the need to fight before Richard would even get aware of him.
But a few weeks ago they suddenly slackened and then changed direction to the east. They entered the southern parts of the Midlands. I assume that was when Rahl got news that Richard had arrived at the People´s Palace and taken his righteous place as Lord Rahl. Apparently he does not intend to go into an open battle and I´m afraid he has developed a plan which includes some mad tricks inside the Midlands. Probably he tries to ploy Richard. And probably that means he is on his way to Aydindril.”
She watched Zedd frowning as he considered her words.
“Did he cause any harm on his way yet?”
“A few villages he came across have tasted his anger when they were not instantly convinced to submit to their former tyrant. But you know him...” Her eyes clouded. “He is not one to be patient. After he has made a few examples of his... peremptoriness, news spread quickly. The far south of D´Hara is already crouched in fear again. But since he travels in the Midlands he is far more guarded. He does not want to gain more attention than strictly necessary. It seems as if he has divorced his little army into many small troops, sneaking on different paths; hiding from curious eyes and connected by runners between them. By now we do not know where exactly he hides himself.”
Zedd sighed and shook his head. The crinkles in his cheeks seemed to deepen as he clenched his jaw.
Verna searched his eyes with an angry fire in her brown glare. “We must stop him, whatever he plans. Or he will bring great harm to Aydindril. To all of the Midlands! And to D´Hara.” Her stare bored into Zedd. Richard had stopped pacing and now put a hand on his grandfather´s shoulder.
“As far as we know he has already started to sneak his tentacles behind our defenses.”
Zedd shot him a questioning glare. Richard´s face was shadowed as he nodded to Verna, asking her to continue. She briefly closed her eyes and inhaled deeply before she spoke again. Her voice had taken a husky tone.
“The two young fellas I have sent to you, Zedd. I have chosen them personally with great care. They were talented and ambitious young wizards. You know, Zedd, how very much I appreciated your offer to teach some of my pupils and guide them on their way to become true and honorable wizards. They were like family to me...”
The old wizard frowned as he saw her trembling and felt his blood rushing through his veins in quickened waves. Her voice had lowly darkened, as if grieve was flowing with her words.
“On my way to Richard, a few leagues before the frontier to the Midlands, my horse balked as a startled pack of wild dogs attacked us from out of the tree lines beside the road. I could chase them away; but... I was curious of what kind of prey they had tried to defend...”
A sob broke her breath; some tears rolled down over her pale cheeks. Zedd leaned forward and patted her arm soothingly. When she looked up, her eyes had veiled with hurt.
“It was Connor´s dead body. He...” she stopped again, trying to swallow against the lump that kept her words caught in her throat.
“What happened to him, Verna?” Zedd asked gently, his eyes resting compassionately on her gaunt face.
“He... Oh Zedd! His body had been skinned; and then thrown into the woods as though he was no more than any dead cattle.” Her voice almost broke and she gritted her teeth to not lose her poise. Zedd sighed deeply, pulling her tense body into a gentle hug while his eyes searched Richards. His grandson´s face was contorted with sorrow and heating anger. Barely able to hide his lust for revenge for the murder of the young wizard. After a few moments Verna pulled away and took a deep breath to gain control over her voice.
“It is my fault.” She whispered.
“I should have warned them more precisely. I should have prepared them more carefully for the dangers that waited on their way.” She looked up at first Zedd, then Richard with her teary eyes, searching for their reproaches, but only found compassion and sorrow in the wizard´s glare and fierce determination in Richard´s.
“Do you know how that could happen?”
“At the time they left I did not know yet that one of the wizards who were sworn to the Sisters of the Dark had recently escaped from his prison and seemingly intended to join Rahl´s army.
I do not know if it was planned, but I assume he followed Connor and Jackson for quite a while. And when he got the chance he must have separated them.” She clenched her jaw and straightened a little, shifting her eyes to stare at Zedd intensely.
“I think by skinning him he stripped Connor from his powers and then took his features, so that Jackson did not suspect anything wrong. I am sure he is a helper of Darken Rahl. And he is now in Aydindril. And if I am right, the heart of the Midlands is in great danger! As are Kahlan and her sister!”
While listening, Zedd´s lips had become a thin line and now he stared to the nothing. His elbow rested on the table, his forehead sank slowly into his palm. He breathed heavily, as if feeling the threat already thickening the air. Sheer horror reaching for his heart and gripping it tightly.
A dark wizard in the Keep. Walking openly through the magical halls. Learning details he should never learn. And freely entering the Confessor´s Palace.
This meant much more than just danger... This could easily lead to catastrophes.
*******
“You have sent for me, Confessor?”
He could see her outside, leaning against the frame of the balcony and watching the courtyards, where a newly arrived group just dismounted their horses. He took the chance to feast his eyes on the curves of her slender form, his lips twitched into a sneer. When she turned and entered her working chambers, striding to her desk and seating on her chair before she shifted her eyes to her visitor, his face had long taken an expressionless mask.
The young man in front of her stood straight. He seemed in his early twenties, though Dennee knew his age could be as well a few hundred years. Where he came from, the dimensions of time did not work as they did here. He was a tall, broad-shouldered, handsome guy, dark green eyes glowing self-confident from under his almost black brows. His dark-brown hair fell in loose waves to his shoulders. His chin was outstanding, and his hooked nose gave him the appearance of a hungry hawk. He bowed his head, though she did not acknowledge the slightest devotion in his gesture.
Dennee eyed him briefly with an arrogant expression of disdain. But when he looked up he saw into the calm mask of a Confessor.
“Wizard Connor! I have heard you are a talented and well informed wizard. Well, I guess you have noticed that during the last days an increasing amount of messengers has arrived to Aydindril. They are coming from different kingdoms and shires. But they all have the same news to tell. There is a threat walking through the Midlands. Words flow that Darken Rahl seems to be the cause of the concerns. By now it is not known exactly what is going on. But as Zedd is not here it will be up to you, as the elder Wizard on duty, to make sure that our magical defenses will be prepared when Rahl shows up. Your younger colleague... what was his name? Jackson, right?” The wizard nodded shortly.
“Well, he will assist you. How far has Zedd introduced you to Aydindril´s protection systems before he left?”
“The wizard hasn´t granted us much more than a survey yet. I don´t know if that will be sufficient for what you are asking from me.” His green eyes met hers with an expecting glance. “I might need further informations.” His eyes took a wily glance. “ Or maybe we should wait until Wizard Zorander will be back?”
The Confessor watched him thoughtfully, and then tilted her head. “I do not expect him back to Aydindril so soon... Most of the information lies in the Keep where only the wizards have access. But possibly I will find some papers in my sister´s working chambers. I will see what I can do. I will let you know then.”
She waved a hand to dismiss him but he stood still.
“What else do you intend to do, Confessor?”
Dennee raised a brow, surprised by his bold question.
“I don´t know why you ask, but I will meet with the council in a few days. By then I will have heard all the messengers and gathered every detail they know.”
“Do you think the council will listen to your advice?”
Dennee frowned angrily and shot him a warning glare. He was here as just an apprentice. How could he dare questioning her?
“Oh, I am sorry, Confessor. I did not intend to offend you! I apologize if I am too prying. I just...heard a few things.” he briefly bowed again, then stared at her mischievously while she raised a demanding eyebrow.
“The Mother Confessor is not here to take care of the problem. Instead she prefers to travel with a Mord Sith in a disputable mission while little girls vanish wherever they have been seen and rumors spread, that this Mord Sith might be the head of a troop close to Rahl, kidnapping the girls on his biddings.”
Dennee had straightened and watched him suspiciously. “What else have you heard?”
He dropped his head, hiding the smirk on his face. “I have heard that a part of the council does not trust the Mother Confessor anymore. That they say, she has weakened during the years. And that she is under the influence of this Mord Sith.”
His eyes watched her from under his brows as he drawled pointedly.
“It is said, that the leadership of the Midlands should be considered anew...”
He did not miss the brief flutter of her eyes. But she quickly hid behind her confessor mask again. Her voice was cold when she answered after a while, nodding slowly.
“I thank you for the information. I would very appreciate you to stay vigilant further on.”
The Confessor rose from her chair. The meeting was over.
Connor bowed one more time; not waiting for her order to leave he turned and strode out.
Dennee´s eyes followed him with burning disdain.
She did not like him.
But she needed him.
*******
Cara rolled her eyes when Kahlan´s knee brushed against her own again. She looked at her in mock annoyance. “You disturb my horse!”
The brunette grinned and pretended to stare ahead.
They were close to a village, intending to stay there for the night before reaching Comorra probably around tomorrow early afternoon.
It had been an easy ride up to here. The storm of the night had cleared the air, a cheerful sun had watched over them as they had settled for a rest at the river side. Appreciating the opportunity of bath after lunch. Cara had been taken by surprise, but clearly enjoyed how unashamed Kahlan felt in her presence, playfully teasing her, thankfully taking every opportunity to touch her, stroking her skin; soon they had found themselves in the other´s arms again. Passion had washed them away in heated waves.
It had cost them quite an effort to finally continue their way...
Now Kahlan patted Shadows neck, still wearing a smile. Her eyes swept over the black ears of Cara´s horse and she pointed at him amused.
“Does he have a name at least?”
“Black” Cara shot instantly. “And before you ask: no, he is not my friend. He is just my horse!”
Kahlan laughed, shaking her head, thinking of the day Cara had followed her to her clearing. So much had happened since then. She still smiled when she turned and eyed Cara. The blonde was staring pensively at the grey horse Kahlan rode, a slight frown on her face.
The Confessor waited a moment, tilting her head as the blonde´s frown deepened.
“Cara?”
The Mord Sith shifted her eyes, her sea green gaze met hers almost reluctantly. Kahlan saw how she chewed her lip and knew something burned on her tongue. She cocked her brows questioningly. The blonde dropped her eyes back to Shadow´s neck and another moment passed by before she asked in a husky voice:
“What happened the day when...” The Mord Sith bit her tongue. She suddenly assumed that “when you lost your child” would not go well for Kahlan. So she continued: “...when Shadow became your friend?”
The sudden silence that followed her question made her regret her boldness immediately. She barely dared a sidelong glance to the Confessor. In an icy wave she felt the tiny hairs on her arm raise as she saw her face.
Kahlan had frozen. Her face had lost its color, she stared to the nothing; the sparkling blue of her eyes seemed substituted by a dark grey, as if heavy rain was suddenly veiling her mind. She obviously swallowed against tears.
Cara shifted uncomfortably in her saddle, aghast of Kahlan´s reaction. Not knowing how to recall her silly question, she cleared her throat twice, and then reined her horse, gripping Shadows lines as well and bringing them to a halt.
“Kahlan?” she leaned forward, grabbing her arm and forcing her to turn and look at her.
“It´s okay, Kahlan. You do not need to talk about it. I´m sorry... it was a silly question; forget it, okay?”
Kahlan dropped her eyes absently; a single tear had made its way over her lashes and rolled down her cheek. Cara scowled and squirmed slightly, cursed herself for being so boneheaded. Her hand reached out and wiped the drop from her cheek.
“I am sorry Kahlan, okay? I´m sorry...” Her voice was a helpless whisper; but it reached the Confessor and she looked at the blonde, forcing an ever so faint smile, and nodded. With a sigh she gripped the reins and pushed Shadow into a trot, pulling her hood up, as though she tried to shield herself against the world. The Mord Sith huffed lowly, biting her lip, gripping an agiel in an unconscious motion and followed.
The Mother Confessor seemed to regain control over her emotions within some long moments. When the edge of the village appeared on the road ahead, Cara was still a horse length behind her. Finally Kahlan turned. Her face was earnest, but the color had returned to her cheeks and when she smiled at her, it reached her eyes as she waited for her Mord Sith. Then she saw that Cara´s hand had tightened around her agiel, and she frowned. The blonde´s shoulder´s were hunched, her eyes were hard. She dropped them to the ground before Kahlan could lock their gaze.
The Mother Confessor sighed.
“No, Cara! Don´t be angry with you! It´s okay, really, it is.” She reached out to lay her hand on the blonde´s arm. “You have every right to ask. It´s just... I was not prepared.” She searched for her eyes... and for the words to explain that the memories were painful. That she wanted to tell her, but not right now. That she might need time...
“Mord Sith!!”
They both startled with the shrill.
“Mord Sith! They are Mord Sith!!” Sheer horror lay in the screaming voice.
Kahlan turned to see a few people run from the fields ahead and racing towards the puny fences that surrounded the village. A boy still screamed out loud.
“Father! Mord Sith are coming!”
two dozen men appeared from nowhere, most of them peasants, holding any kind of weapons they had been able to grab in their haste: forks and ax’s, even a scythe; a few guards with swords in their hands rushed to their lead.
Cara had straightened. A deep scowl crossed her face as she pushed her horse to pass Kahlan and settle in front of her. Unconsciously Kahlan proved her daggers and followed the Mord Sith on the fly.
They stopped close to the crowd. Cara jumped out of her saddle and built up in front of the men, her menacing agiels pointed to their line. Her face emanated fury, her eyes had narrowed, her jaw was set tightly. Kahlan saw her pose and knew she would not hesitate to kill all of them if she only got a reason. She dismounted and stood straight just a step behind her Mord Sith. Waiting.
A tall and coarse man with a rusty sword that he held as though it was a hammer stepped in front of the men. He had only eyes for Cara. His aggressive voice seemed to be meant as a weapon as well.
“Get along with you, bitches! Here is no space for you and your kind!”
Kahlan saw women behind the men; their faces were frightened, but they held a strong grip to more forks and a few bludgeons. The men had half circled the two women and raised their weapons towards them.
A few shouts were heard:
“Send them to the Keeper!”...
“Let´s show them how we treat monsters!”...
“You won´t get our girls!”...
Cara straightened even more as she snarled dangerously.
“We have no intentions to hurt you. But I will not ask for your reasons before I kill you. You do not know whom you are impending!” She stepped closer, her agiels singing in anticipation; she would strike at the slightest move of him.
That was the moment when Kahlan strode past her, her hand swiftly brushing her arm in a soothing gesture.
“Kahlan! What do you think you are doing?” Cara hissed. But Kahlan stepped in front of the man who seemed to be the leader. As her hand moved to pull her hood down he raised his sword and put its tip to her chest. Cara jerked briefly, but held her position as Kahlan only frowned and raised her chin. When her hood fell to her shoulders a breeze made the dark flood of her hair flutter around her. A startled murmur rushed through the little crowd in front of them. Whispers and gasps.
“Drop Your Weapons!”
The Mother Confessor´s voice echoed clearly and with the force of majesty that didn´t allow any disagree. Cara shifted her eyes briefly, surprised by a tone as she had never heard before from Kahlan. The woman in front of her had lost the slightest sign of Kahlan´s softness; it was the Midlands sovereign that raised her voice. Unmistakable. Unquestionable. And angry.
The man in front of her winced unsurely, but his sword kept its position on Kahlan´s chest. His companions flinched as well, their faces contorted between defiance and fright.
The brunette stared at him coldly, her eyes shimmering with searing blue ice.
“Who speaks for you?” The Mother Confessor finally demanded, ignoring the swords tip that almost touched her skin. Her gaze swept along the line of men to make sure they all felt addressed.
The man before her scowled with narrowed eyes.
“I do.”
Her eyes met his again, staring him down with her iron glare;
“So you are the one who leads his men to greet the Mother Confessor with weapons? Who is responsible for daring to threaten me?”
She stepped closer, her entire posture emanating an ice-cold power as she shoved his sword aside unyieldingly, slowly reaching with her hand for his throat, catching his eyes with hers. Gasps were heard from his people. Again her voice echoed loudly.
“Put your weapons down! Or you will suffer by the hand of the Mother Confessor for your disrespect! Each of you!”
The first men lowered their weapons reluctantly, shifting their eyes anxiously to see how their companions reacted. From behind a woman hasted through their lines.
“Jacob!”
The mountain of a man under her hand squirmed to shout out.
“Stay behind, woman! This is not your business!”
The woman, a chunky brown-haired in her late thirties, came not even to a halt beside him before she slapped his neck fiercely.
“You stupid ox of a husband! Can´t you see whom you threaten? Put your silly sword down and bow before the Mother Confessor like it behooves you!”
And as if she just realized she herself stood in front of her Majesty, she blushed deeply and sank to her knees.
“Mother Confessor, please forgive us!”
Kahlan´s steely stare softened immediately, calm warmth radiating from her eyes as she looked at the woman kneeling in front of her. The rest of the crowd hesitated shortly, but then more and more of them went down, until only Jacob, still with her hand wrapped around his throat, was standing.
Kahlan pulled her hand away and stared into his eyes with a blue burning fire, forcing him to his knees with her glare only. Then she turned and addressed the woman, who still held her head close to the earth in humbleness. Her voice was stern, but had lost the warning.
“Rise, child. And tell me why you people presume to greet the Mother Confessor with swords and forks.”
The woman stood slowly, not daring to raise her head; deeply embarrassed and blushing furiously .
“Please forgive us, Mother Confessor. We did not recognize you. We only saw the red leather of...” words failed her and she only nodded slightly into Cara´s direction.
Kahlan´s eyes narrowed into a deep frown, raising her voice for everyone to hear her words. She pointed with her hand towards the Mord Sith by her side.
“This woman is my personal guard. She is friend and confidant to the Mother Confessor. She stays with her life for not only my wellbeing, but for all of the Midlands! Threatening her means threatening me! I will not allow that.”
Cara still stood like a statue, shooting wary glances around. Only her eyes twitched at Kahlan´s words.
She turned and addressed all of them, who were still kneeling, not daring to move if not for their surreptitious eyes as they watched what was going on.
“Lay your weapons down and rise. I will not judge over you. It seems you are frightened and I assume you were thinking you defended your village.”
Swords and forks clanked to the ground while they stood, their stares intimidated and sheepish, some shifting uncomfortably.
Kahlan looked at the big man who still kneeled.
“Your name is Jacob?” He nodded.
“Rise.” He obeyed.
She eyed him a long moment, her eyes shooting ice again
“I respect your bravery to stand against the Mother Confessor´s touch to defend your family. But I will not forgive your fatuousness. Fortunately this village is graced with prudent women. You´d better thank your wife for her intervention.” His wife grinned proudly.
“Now why are you frightened?”
The woman spoke instead of him.
“There have been several attacks of Mord Sith lately, Mother Confessor. They have stolen girls. Four are missed within a two days ride, and one has been caught just a league away two days earlier... We... We don´t want to lose our girls to these monsters.” She flinched as Cara shifted slightly. Kahlan changed a dark glare with her friend, frowning. These were bad news.
“Please forgive us; but we have lost too much already...” The woman´s words were barely a whisper.
Kahlan´s gaze softened. She reached out and laid a hand on the woman´s arm.
“Do not be worried. I forgive you. You had reasons to distrust us first.
We will stay for tonight and talk about it tomorrow before we leave. Actually we came here to search for a room for the night...”
Jacob seemed to come alive; hoping to make amends for his earlier behavior.
“We have a nice inn, Mother Confessor. Please let us offer you a warm place to sleep and food and beverages... whatever you need.” He offered assiduously.
Kahlan´s gaze met his earnestly.
“No. This village has forfeited the honor to host the Mother Confessor for now.” She watched as he dropped his head shamefacedly. Her gaze searched the surroundings, freezing on a small hill nearby which was crowned with a light copse.
“We will have camp on this hill.” She looked at the people and raised her voice once more in a calm but admonishing tone.
“I expect it to be a calm and uneventful night. Any perturbance, no matter of which kind, will be seen as a personal affront. You´d be well advised to take care of that.”
Without waiting for a response she turned, shooting Cara a short glance, and mounted her horse. The Mord Sith let her eyes glide over the villagers in a last daring glance and then followed Kahlan wordlessly. Soon they were heading to the top of the hill, while several groups of villagers rushed to arrange small posts around the hill, resolved to at least stand watch over the Mother Confessor and her Mord Sith for the night.
t.b.c.
... on to part 9