Fic: Broken Chains 10/?
Title: Broken chains Part 10/?
Author: chickinwhite
Pairing: Kahlan/Cara
Rating: PG 17
Word account: ~5900
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: Special thanks again to jolo_65 who is an amazing Beta and smoothed the many edges!! Thanks so much, hon! You are great !!
AN2: I think you know me by now... so you should know I love my angsty angsts... *evil grin*
Part 1; Part 2; Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 part 8 part 9
„Confessor. The council is waiting for you in the great hall.“
Her guard bowed deeply, as he waited patiently for her response. He still remembered how the Confessor had admonished him harshly last time when he had forgotten to do so.
Dennee stood on the balcony. Her eyes travelled over Aydindril, taking in the majestic beauty of her city, while her mind planned for the meeting that lay ahead; she imagined the council was nervously waiting for her appearance;
There had been many a meetings before. Whilst Kahlan had been on her quest, busy saving the world, it had been Dennee who had represented the first chair of the Midlands. And even when Kahlan had returned, she was never the same woman who had left before. She had often asked herself if it had been wise to pass the first chair back to her. But it was Kahlan who owned the title. And she had always done her best to support her. She knew her sister loved her, though sometimes she felt a distance between them, like cold needles on her skin.
Dennee sighed and turned.
“I´ll be there in a moment. You may call Wizard Connor to join us.”
The guard nodded briefly and left.
The Confessor looked into the mirror at the far side of her room and nodded reassuringly to the face it showed.
“Well then. No need to be nervous. You can do it!”
**********
Finally they had left the village behind; but not without meeting with their local council and the news they had told had been alarming.
During the last week there had been several raids reported. Each had involved at least one quad of Mord Sith. They had always been supported by mercenaries; the kind of brutal and reckless bandits who enjoyed their own cruelty.
It wasn´t the same as it used to be in former times. Cara had been silently furious of how the Mord Sith had entered the homes of the girls, destroying and killing whatever and whomever got in their way. The girls had seemingly been taken haphazardly; their families, if they survived at all, had been recklessly cast aside and left to the ruins of their existence.
This was not the art of recruiting as Cara had known in former times. Not the careful choosing of future warriors. This was more the way Triana had raged through the village when she had left Cara to die through the hands of furious villagers.
“They are leaving a trail. This is not just a gathering of new girls as Mord Sith recruits.”
The blonde turned in her saddle to look at Kahlan. Her face was grim, heated anger burned furiously in her eyes.
“Have you noticed that the trail is following ours? Or to be more precisely: it is running ahead of us? They always appear a few days before we come through the region; and as results we find villages, where the people are frightened of us, hate us even. Not that I´m not used to, but their wrath is directed at you too! Someone is trying to turn your people against you, Kahlan. And I bet I know who it is…”
Kahlan nodded thoughtfully.
“I think you are right. But I can´t see how that makes any sense.” She frowned.
“Rahl must have somehowgotten information about our journey. Obviously we were wrong in assuming that he has plans just for Richard. He is in the Midlands; his followers are reaching for us. But why don´t they simply attack us? If they know where we are, it would be just as easy to ambush us.”
She shook her head helplessly. Her expression shadowed briefly as she sighed frustrated;
“Will there ever be a time when things are just…easy?”
Cara frowned. She still felt a little unsure of Kahlan´s mood.
“Are you okay?”
The Confessor looked at her while tilting her head. An unexpected smile crossed her face. A smile so bright that golden sunbeams seemed to be forced through the cloud covered sky.
“Will you continue to ask me that every few minutes?” She reined Shadow and leaned over to lay her hand on Cara´s, searching her eyes with a solemn blue shine.
“I´ve been a prisoner of my own demons; I was sick with grief and rage, yes. I thought I could never bear to speak about what happened then.
And now?
I do not know how to explain; it is as though you… in a way gave my mind the breath of life. Somehow you killed the demons that haunted me. I´m… feeling relieved!
You save me. I have no words for what you did last night.”
Her hand gently touched her leather over a spot covering a bruise on the blonde´s chest, where she knew she had left one of many marks of angry passion, her eyes tenderly caressed the spot.
“You understand my darkest side as no one else could ever do. You made me whole again.” She nodded slowly, her gaze drowning in Cara´s sea-green eyes.
“As for your question...Yes, I am okay!
And I always will be, as long as you are by my side.”
She pressed her leg to Shadows side, so that he shifted towards Black; close enough to let her cup Cara´s cheeks and pull her into a passionate kiss, letting her tongue speak the language Cara would surely understand.
She only pulled away to laugh when Black started to prance nervously.
“You´re sure he is just your horse? Sometimes he seems very much like his Mistress, always on the run…”
Cara scowled at her horse, grunting. “He is most definitely just a stupid horse. A friend would not get nervous when my lady bounces on me!”
********
The members of the council were engrossed in discussing the reports received from the many messengers that had arrived during the past week. Dennee had given them a detailed report of the news. Some of them had been able to tell some more worrying incidents from their home realms. Others, the ones coming from the northern parts of the Midlands were shocked and aghast of what they heard.
One of the ambassadors, an old man with shaved head and bushy brows, finally voiced their worries.
“Fact is that mad mobs of bandits and Mord Sith are destroying our lands with their destructive onslaughts! They are kidnapping our young girls, wherever they come along. What has the Mother Confessor decided to do?”
Dennee straightened in her chair.
“My sister had left for Comorra before we got first reports. When she left she didn´t know about the raids and thus hasn´t made any decisions at all. Right now Lord Richard Rahl, the Seeker of Truth, is on his way to stand at our side. I expect him to arrive with a small troop within the next few days. And I have seen to it, that Aydindril´s safety protocols are prepared. Wizard Connor is here to answer your questions concerning that.
Until now there has been no visible sign of what Rahl or his Mord Sith are planning. And no one has reported any build up of troops around our lands. But if so, we will be prepared. The Mother Confessor is supposed to return within another week. I have called you because the Council needs to be informed, but for now I do not see any imminent threat.”
“Is it true that the Mother Confessor left with the Wizard and that Mord Sith?” Dennee´s eyes shifted to the Keltish ambassador, Prince Devron, who had stood while asking, his tall figure emanating aplomb with his back straight and his chin upturned. His brown eyes were challenging. He was a cousin to Prince Fyren, the one who had once claimed the first chair and had been confessed by Kahlan. Though everyone knew she had acted justly, saving Aydindril from his cruel grip, it was clear that Devron, as most of the Keltish people, still held a silent animosity for the Mother Confessor. His posture one of aggression, he swept his arm towards the rest of the Council. “We all know that this Mord Sith has lived in your palace for several months. And rumors say that girls had vanished before your sister left.”
Looking straight into his square-edged face the Confessor nodded with narrowed eyes. She had expected him to mention it. Her gaze was lacking emotion.
“It is not just a rumor, as you know already. There have been two girls missing from different villages nearby Aydindril. It seemed obvious then that they had become victims of the river. The Mother Confessor had ordered our guards to assist in their retrieval. Sadly, though, they didn´t find them.” She thoughtfully tilted her head.
“Well, now for sure it seems to be very likely they were caught by Mord Sith too.”
She swept her eyes over the councilors before looking back to Prince Devron. A brow arched up arrogantly.
“But I would very much like to hear what you really want to say. I am sure you agree with me that this is not the right time to hide behind insinuations, wouldn´t you?” Her voice cold as were her eyes. Everyone´s attention turned to the tall man from Kelton. He stood up in front of the council and let his eyes sweep over its members meaningfully, making sure he had everyone´s undivided attention. Then he turned slowly to eye Dennee. When he spoke again his voice had a sharp, indignant edge.
“The Mother Confessor has been out of Aydindril for quite a long time and she didn´t care for the fate of the Midlands as was her duty. It is obvious that while she joined the Seeker of Truth in his quest, she has also made some odd friends. I have heard, that this Mord Sith has been by her side for almost a year.”
A few murmurs were heard from the council members, causing the small muscles in the corners of his brown eyes to briefly twitch when he heard it.
“By their master, the tyrant Darken Rahl, whom we all remember too well, Mord Sith are trained for killing. And Confessors are their preferred prey. You, Confessor, have experienced this in the most painful way! And, please correct me if I´m wrong; wasn´t it this particular Mord Sith, who is with your sister now, who killed you then?”
The councilors seemed to hold their breaths. No sound was heard. Prince Devron´s voice now cut the air sharply.
“How can it be, I ask, that a sworn enemy of the Midlands and the Confessors walks freely beside the Mother Confessor? How can it be, that this Mord Sith returns to the Confessor´s Palace, right before her kind starts kidnapping young girls? And how can it be, that the Mother Confessor is on a journey with said Mord Sith - right when the Midlands need protection against such heinous attacks?”
He looked around to meet their glares, making sure that he had their attention. His voice rose angrily.
“I say we cannot trust a Mord Sith! We do not know that she does not serve her own master. We all remember well that Mord Sith were the ones who murdered our Confessors. I do not know which kind of spell has been cast over the Mother Confessor that she is blind to what is plainly obvious. As for me, it seems that said Mord Sith is deeply involved in the recent raids! It seems that the Mother Confessor is no longer able to focus on her main duty: to serve the Midlands!
It seems as though Darken Rahl has smuggled in one of his servants to weaken Aydindril and the Mother Confessor. Somehow she has been blinded. I say the first chair shouldn´t belong to the Mother Confessor any longer, because she is no longer trustworthy…”
Murmurs were heard from the various members of the council. A good handful looked shocked at his words, some were upset and burst into loud discussions; but most of the voices sounded more than just hesitatingly approving.
The ambassador spun around to look at Dennee.
“It is well known, that even you, Confessor, do not approve of your sisters behavior. I say it is time to make a change! You´ve been representing the first chair for a long time now. And again it is you who takes responsibility now. I suggest that the council passes the title to you and names you the leader of the Midlands!”
Half the council burst into cheers...
********
Watching Kahlan from behind Cara´s mind tried to get a grip on something that had been nagging at her ever since Kahlan had changed into her Confessor´s dress, angrily feeling it always slipping away.
The Mother Confessor rode with her back straight and head held high. She was the very picture of majesty. And beauty.
Cara couldn´t tell if she liked the change. She loved Kahlan in her leather dress. It held so many memories of their former journey. Wearing it meant wearing passion and fire; in it Kahlan was the warrior that Cara had come to love; the woman that had taught her and shown her the path to live a life where feelings didn´t strip her from neither from her pride nor from her honor.
Changing into the white dress made Kahlan suddenly a queen, leader of not only one realm but sovereign of all the Midlands; she seemed to glide easily into another world and Cara felt almost a little abandoned.
Though she felt pride as well. Pride that this woman had chosen her; that the Mother Confessor not only allowed her by her side, trusting in her protection, but that she who emanated an amazing power and strength, capable of bending whole armies to their knees with her fierce glare only, that this woman would suddenly turn around and smile at her with soft, loving eyes, as though she was worth it.
Cara sighed. They were close to Comorra. Just a few leagues ahead their small troop would have made camp to await them. The coming days would be filled with politics. She briefly considered what it would feel like if Kahlan would really name her her mate one day.
A mischievous grin crossed her lips. Dennee would not like that...
The Mord Sith stiffened. Dennee! She had not thought of her ever since the stormy night in the cave. Kahlan had simply occupied every corner of her mind;
She stared at the white covered back that swayed gracefully with Shadows moves ahead, frowning. A slight tingle in her stomach stirred her... The blonde tried to focus on that nagging little voice that called for her; until she remembered.
“What is it, Cara?”
Kahlan´s soft voice ripped her out of her thoughts. Still frowning somberly she looked up.
“I was thinking about your sister...”
Kahlan´s gaze changed from amused curiosity into resignation. Frowning as she turned away and let her eyes travel along the road ahead. She took in a long deep breath.
“She will not be amused about us... But..., she is my sister! She will need time, but eventually she will accept you.”
“She hates me.” Cara pursed her lips, considering her words. “And… I don´t trust her.”
Kahlan frowned slightly annoyed.
“Try to be fair, Cara. You killed her! That is not the best way to start a friendship.”
“I am not speaking about that but about this journey.”
The Confessor gave her a questioning look. “Which means...?”
She shrugged. “I can´t tell you what it is. I just know something is wrong. I witnessed her meeting with the leaders of the troop the evening before our departure.” Kahlan´s eyebrow lifted disapprovingly. She had a faint idea how Cara could have witnessed their meeting. “It gave me an odd feeling... Kahlan! She ordered them to stay with their life for my. safe. return. to Aydindril!”
The blonde shook her head. “I have thought it over; I cannot see the reason why she would order them to watch over me!”
Kahlan eyed her intently, her brows deeply furrowed; confused. She was weighing the options. The strong tension between the Mord Sith and her sister had never been a secret. Yet Cara was the most attentive person she had ever met. Nothing could ever escape her attention. And she was not one to trifle with her concern. If anyone but Cara would have told her that they didn´t trust Dennee she would have laughed.
But Dennee, on the other hand, was her little sister. She knew her since she had let out her first cry. Dennee was short-tempered and tended to act impulsively; her decisions were often made hastily; she was jealous and liked to take center stage… But she was most definitely not perfidious.
“Maybe she just wanted to show them that despite your well known antipathy she would not appreciate if you would have...problems on the way. Our troops have not forgotten yet how your sisters raged through the Midlands when Darken Rahl was in charge.”
Cara scowled at her, clearly doubting her words. And she heard what Kahlan hadn´t said: that she had been part of these Mord Sith then… She grunted audibly. But before she could give a sharp response a loud voice echoed from ahead.
“Mother Confessor!”
Kahlan looked up the road, where a small group of seven riders had appeared, briefly pulling up their horses before pushing them into a gallop to approach quickly.
The Confessor turned her face towards Cara, a reassuring smile on her lips.
“We´ll talk later, Cara. Now it´s time...”
And turning towards the approaching soldiers she put her Confessor mask on and awaited the men with straightened back and raised chin.
*********
Prince Devron strode towards the door where the two guards stepped aside to let him in.
The Confessor did not rise from her chair as he entered her working chamber. Her head still hovering over the papers that lay sprawled over her desk, she only shifted her free hand and gave him a wave to approach. He managed a brief glance on the title of the paper she was signing. It seemed to be a letter of appointment.
His lips curled slightly.
Finally she shifted her gaze and stared at him with cold eyes.
“You´ve stirred up the councilors. They were agitated when they left.”
“I told nothing but the truth, Confessor. They will have something to consider in the coming days.”
“What you spoke of was rebellion!
The council has no right to name another Mother Confessor. The title is not given by councilor´s elections.”
Her brows furrowed above her steely glare as she hissed.
“If you ever dare again to step over the barriers in front of the council, you should consider the consequences before raising your voice. This is a warning, Prince Devron. Next time I will give none.”
He blushed in helpless anger at the blunt humiliation.
“But, Confessor...”
She stopped his speech with a harsh gesture, leaning forward and pointing an angry finger at him.
“You will do as I ordered! No more, no less! Is that understood?”
His shoulders sagged, his head dropped in suggestion of a bow, gritting his teeth.
“Yes Confessor. Please forgive my impertinence. I acted in the best intentions.”
Her eyes rested on him with deep disgust. With narrowed eyes she watched him straightening again.
“I did not ask for your best intentions! I thought my orders were clear.
You may leave now. I expect you to act more prudently when the council meets after tomorrow again! Some of the councilors will seek your advice before then; be careful what you tell them!”
He bowed shortly before turning and heading for the door. His steps far from the proud strides he had shown before.
*********
The small group stopped before the Mother Confessor and they dismounted quickly, going down on one knee, bowing their heads and thrusting their fists to their chests as one.
“Mother Confessor!”
Kahlan looked down at them with warm eyes from Shadows back.
“Rise.” She addressed their leader with a joyful smile. “Captain Rikes!” She gave a short nod to the man who stood in front of her. He was a tall, well-muscled soldier with short brown hair, which showed a lot of grey around his temples and a proud green gaze that now rested openly on his sovereign with a light glow of adoration.
“Welcome Mother Confessor! I am glad to see you. Knowing you were travelling without your wizard and since we expected your arrival yesterday we began to worry...”
Kahlan gave him a gentle smile and shook her head.
“There had been no need to worry. I am under the best protection of Mistress Cara here.” She gestured towards the blonde Mord Sith who sat straight on her horse, just half a length behind Kahlan. Her face an expressionless mask, only her steely eyes narrowed on him. He acknowledged her with a short nod, a tiny frown crossing his features as he looked at her, and then addressed Kahlan again.
“We made camp just a league away, Mother Confessor. I assume you´ll appreciate a little comfort after your journey. Your tent is prepared, and I saw that a dinner is waiting for you.” His lips curled ever so slightly when he added with a mischievous grin: “I hope you still like roasted lizards.”
Cara arched an eyebrow, but Kahlan grinned. “I see Captain Rikes, you still know the best ways to keep a troop at its best while afield …” Smiling she turned to Cara. “Captain Rikes here has been my tutor in battle tactics when I was younger. He has given me “soldier cooking lessons”, cause a soldier needs to appreciate whatever a meal nature offers, even if only lizards…” she turned again.
“You should let your men mount. I would like to reach the camp before sunset.”
The soldiers mounted and taking Kahlan and Cara in their middle they forced their horses into a trot, Captain Rikes riding beside Kahlan.
“Tell me, what is going on in Comorra.” The Confessor looked at him expectantly. “Have you talked to King Sadom?”
Captain Rikes face became serious.
“Things are not easy there. We arrived four days ago. I sent a messenger to King Sadom to ask for an informal meeting. Up to now he did not receive me. As we were ordered I did not try to force him. But I sent note that you intend to see him before you meeting his nephews. Today I finally received an answer. He awaits you.”
Kahlan saw his furrowed brows and heard the somber tone in his voice and tilted her head with a light frown.
“What else?”
“The city of Comorra is clouded by aggression. The people are in an evil mood and are close to uprising. The day before yesterday I took a few of our men and tried to get a feel for the current situation. We only faced a wall of cold silence. We barely made it back to camp without using our weapons as some younger men tried to pick a fight.
We are not welcome here, Mother Confessor!
Last night our guards were attacked by a handful of drunken men. They shouted insults and one of my men has been stabbed with a knife…”
She stared at him in disbelief. He stared back, strong concern in his eyes.
“His wound is not deep. I arrested the attacker, so you might question him. But to be honest, I fear for your safety, Kahlan!” He didn´t seem to notice that he had called her by her name and Kahlan didn´t seem to care, but Cara frowned deeply, her face wearing an expression of angry disdain.
“How can you be supposed to guard the Mother Confessor if you´re afraid of a few drunken peasants?” Her growl made him look at her with his proud eyes, sparks of rising anger crackling in their depths. He lifted his chin defiantly.
“I am not afraid of a few drunken peasants, Mord Sith. I am Adam Rikes, first son of Aaron Rikes, first guard on duty as my father has been and his father before; and I´ve dedicated my life to serving the Mother Confessor since I´ve been able to handle a sword.
All while you and your kind have been chasing our Confessors, seeking to kill them for your master…I would give my life for her!”
Kahlan stopped Cara, who was already looking as though she was about to jump on him and stab her agiels into him, with her hand cutting the air.
“Stop it! Both of you!” She gave Cara an admonishing glare, and then turned to the Captain with cold eyes.
“This is Mistress Cara you are speaking to! She is my personal guard and more than this, she is my friend. She is a woman of honor and I trust her with my life. You will treat her with respect! Is that clear?”
His narrowed eyes were still on the blonde, his jaw set, but he nodded reluctantly.
“As you wish, Mother Confessor.”
Kahlan looked fiercely at Cara again, raising a brow expectantly, until Cara too gave a short nod, dropping her eyes. Kahlan could tell by the thin line of her lips that she was furious. A faint wave of pride made her lips twitch slightly;
Her Mord Sith tried to behave just because she asked her to.
“Have you heard anything about the King´s nephews, Captain? How much are the people turning against each other? Has there been fights in the city?”
“I am sorry, Mother Confessor. After our first attempt proved fruitless I decided it was prudent to keep our distance. I did not want to provoke further trouble before your arrival.
All I can say is that people are strongly aggressive. But there is no obvious reason I can see.”
Kahlan nodded, a thoughtful frown settling on her features. They rode in silence for a few moments, until the Mother Confessor straightened, her expressionless mask back in place.
“Well then. I will ride to the Palace tomorrow morning. King Sadom will have to satisfactorily explain the situation.
Cara will accompany me. I want you, Captain, to set your men on alert. The people of Comorra need to understand that we are here to help them. But I do not want to be surprised by silly actions of some of them if they won´t.”
They reached the camp just before dusk. Captain Rikes had tactically chosen a plain wide area that provided no hideouts for any uninvited guests approaching. Cara counted the tents. Fifteen simple grey tents as they were usually built for soldiers were surrounding a larger white one in a wide circle. That would be the one for Kahlan she assumed. The flag of the Mother Confessor as she had seen it everywhere around the Confessor´s Palace in Aydindril swayed in the light evening breeze on its top. Beside the big white one there was another, smaller in size, but obviously offering enough room to hold meetings for a group of.
Soldiers sat at several fireplaces, the flavor of roasting meet swept through the air. Around the camp she saw up to ten guard posts, some on horses, for watch.
As soon as they got in sight of the camp a horn was blown, its dark thundering sound announcing their approach.
Cara couldn´t help but felt impressed at how quickly the soldiers came to their feet and gathered to greet their sovereign. They stood in two rows for the Mother Confessor to ride through. When their little procession reached the first guard, he dropped on his knee and as if this was the signal for his companions, all of them did so, dropping their heads and hitting their chests with their fists.
The Mother Confessor lead her horse through their rows with head held regally high. Cara followed on her heels, Captain Rikes staying even with her. The rest of the soldiers stayed behind the camp´s edges. Kahlan made a beeline for her tent in the center. She stopped only when she reached the entrance and shifted Shadow to meet her soldiers with calm blue eyes and a clear strong voice.
„Rise my children.“ They came to their feet, though most of the heads kept bowed.
“The Mother Confessor greets you. I am glad to see the camp optimally prepared. You´ve done well. Now go back to your meals. I want you all to be at your best for the coming days.” She gave a graceful nod dismissing them.
“Captain Rikes, please call your lieutenants. I expect them in the meeting tent.” The Captain bowed and dismounted. Cara eyed the men suspiciously as they slowly went to return to their places at the small fires. Something in their movements seemed strangely familiar to her.
Kahlan glided from Shadow´s back, giving the rein to a soldier and waited for her, calling her with her soft, low voice and a certain glint in her eyes.
“Let´s go inside, Cara. I need a few moments with you alone…”
The blonde followed her through the tent flap, bringing their bags in and dropping them beside a chair. She turned around, her eyes travelling over the, for what was a field tent, richly furnished interior with a small desk and a few chairs, a little lounge in one corner, a tiny private tent made of heavy curtains where probably the bath tub stood discretely hidden. Thick soft carpets covered the ground and a few large candles would secure enough light for working on papers even after dusk.
Kahlan watched as the blonde´s gaze stopped at the sight of a large bed in the darker area of the tent. She saw her pursed lips and the smug brow that climbed up.
When their eyes finally met, Cara wore a smug grin.
“I assume I am supposed to stand watch here while you´ll be asleep?”
Kahlan chuckled, the blue in her eyes sparkling mischievously.
“You are supposed to lay here. With me.” She stepped closer and cupped the blonde´s cheeks. Her lips brushed teasingly against hers.
“There will be enough men outside on duty while we are here… You´ll have time to attend to other… duties.” Her tongue pushed between these full, red, alluring lips of Cara, only to sink eagerly into her mouth as the Mord Sith allowed her entrance. In a blink the world seemed to cease around them, leaving nothing but the heat of their kiss and the pressure of their touches…
Until Cara pushed her softly back. “We should stop before we can´t anymore, Kahlan. Your men are waiting!” The promises in her jade gaze that swept against Kahlan made the butterflies in her stomach flutter excitedly. But she nodded in resignation and turned to leave the tent, her back straightening and inhaling a deep breath.
“Kahlan?”
The Confessor looked back over her shoulder. “Mmm?”
A deep frown had settled on the blonde´s face. She stared at her with sudden confusion.
“Cara?”
“Why didn´t she order them to stay with their lives for your safe return?”
Not understanding at first what Cara spoke of, Kahlan frowned and stalled her steps, as Captain Rikes voice was heard.
“Mother Confessor? The men await you.”
She shrugged apologetically towards the blonde and left the tent. “Then let´s go, Captain.”
Cara rushed behind, her face the very expression of intense pondering.
When they entered the meeting tent, the group of five lieutenants, formally standing at the round desk in the center of the room, bowed deeply immediately. Cara waited for them to lift their heads; curious of whom she had eavesdropped with Dennee. She hadn´t seen their faces, but she was sure she would recognize them anyway.
Kahlan strode in front of them with sure steps.
“Lieutenants, I thank you for the good preparations of this mission. Now that I am here we need to set the troop up for the coming negotiations. Captain Rikes has already given a short report of the happenings since your arrival... Now I am interested in your personal observations. Then I will decide how the troop will be positioned while my discussions with King Sadom and his nephews.”
She looked around. None of them had lifted his head yet. With furrowed brows, her gaze searched Cara´s briefly, before returning to the soldiers at the desk. Her voice had a sharp edge of sudden tautness. Without turning towards him she called for the Captain.
“Captain Rikes! Since when are lieutenants of Aydindril´s troops too shy to face the Mother Confessor?”
The gurgling little noise behind them met the sudden whine of Cara´s agiels. Kahlan whipped around, seeing the Captains eyes going wide before they dropped to the point of a blade that protruded from his chest. Time seemed to slow down as she watched aghast how her old friend sagged to the ground, saw how Cara stepped protectively in front of her with her agiels ready to strike.
Behind the falling Captain a face appeared, barely visible in the shadows. Kahlan froze, gripping Cara´s arm, drawing her back a little, and closer to her side.
With a an arrogantly lifted eyebrow the familiar figure of Darken Rahl stepped over the bleeding corpse at his feet, wiping disgustedly the blood from his hands with a silky white cloth, and then dropping it carelessly.
He looked up and a bright smile appeared on his face.
“Ah I´ve been so looking forward to finally see you again, Mother Confessor! Cara!” He snickered. “Though I doubt my delight will be shared by any of you…”
Kahlan stared at him, her arm still resting on Cara´s in a hard grip. Her narrowed eyes seared with icy blue into him, her words cutting the air like sharp blades of steel.
“Though I always thought you were just a fool, Rahl, I did not assume you were stupid enough to walk into a camp of Midland soldiers; considering your lack of powers it was a stupid idea; which you will regret.”
“Kahlan, Kahlan, you should not underestimate me.” His grin had even widened.
Her voice was a dark shout to her men. “Get him!”
They rushed.
But instead of attacking Rahl, they circled the Mother Confessor and the Mord Sith, who grunted audibly, shooting savage glances around, searching for the weakest spot to attack while nearly a dozen Mord Sith entered the tent. For a moment Kahlan stared stunned into the men´s empty faces.
They were like stone; only in their eyes flickering a soulless passion.
“Dear Creator! Cara!” she whispered appalled. “They are all confessed!”
In this moment she felt Cara´s arm disentangle from her grip and spinning around she saw her falling, an arrow sticking deep in her chest.
While her eyes widened in horror, a whispered “NO!” fell from her lips, a blue flash erupted from Rahl´s outstretched hand and crackled into her chest with a blow so hard that the air was pressed from her lungs. She cried out in pain and rage, but no sound left her throat. The blue bolt burnt into her skin like boiling steel, filling her chest, her limps and finally her entire mind with hot, glistening pain.
Finally Rahl lowered his hand. The searing blue lightning ebbed instantly to a faint loom and then vanished.
Kahlan sagged to the ground as if every bone inside her body had melted.
t.b.c.
on to part 11