Aydindril, The Early Years
PROLOUGE
Kahlan was holding her mother’s hand as they made their way through the palace toward the stables. Today was the day that she had been waiting for. She was going to the Keep for the first time to start her Confessors training. She may have been nervous but she was excited at the same time. She knew the importance of what the Confessors did and the knowledge caused her some worry; causing her to suck her thumb, even though she was only five she wanted to help make a difference.
The morning was brisk when they reached the stables. Kahlan pulling her cloak closer around herself for warmth. The sun was just starting to rise above the mountains outside Aydindril. She was tired but too excited to let that stop her.
Her mother mounted the beautiful grey mare after rubbing its muzzle. Once she was situated a stable hand lifted Kahlan into her mother’s waiting arms. Kahlan got herself comfortable in her mother’s lap for the short ride up to the Keep.
As they approached the massive structure Kahlan began to wiggle. Her mother, sensing her daughter’s distress tried to reassure her. “Don’t worry sweetheart. The Keep isn’t a scary place. It can be really fun. I had some of my best times when I was a child up at the Keep.”
“I don’t think I can have fun there, it’s scary.”
“I think you will learn to like it.”
“I guess so.”
After crossing over the large stone bridge Kahlan’s mother lead their horse toward the paddock, so it could graze. She dismounted then helped Kahlan down from the horse. Kahlan had her mother’s hand in a death grip. She had tried to hide behind the skirt of her mother’s confessor’s dress but her mother kept her firmly in front. She would just have to settle for squeezing her mother’s hand.
As they reached the main entrance to the Keep the door opened and an old man with long white hair dressed in a robe came out to meet them. “Mother Confessor,” he said with reverence. “And this must be little Kahlan.”
At this Kahlan’s mother nudged her shoulder to remind her to remember her manners. “Hi. I’m Kahlan,” she said trying her best not to sound afraid.
“Kahlan, What a beautiful name dear one. I am Zeddicus Zul’ Zorandor and I will be the one to teach you all you need to know before you begin taking Confessions.”
When he said this Kahlan looked up at her mother but all she did was smile. “Why don’t I leave the two of you to get started? Kahlan sweetie, I will be back later to get you but until then listen to Zedd and work hard, okay?”
“Okay mommy. I promise.”
After her mother had gone to get her horse Zedd turned to Kahlan and said, “Why don’t we go inside where it is warmer?”
Kahlan smiled at him, he wasn’t so bad. He seemed nice and the Keep wasn’t scaring her as much anymore so she followed him through the door he held for her. Once inside she gasped. The Keep was not at all what she was expecting. She had thought that it would be dark and gloomy, like a dungeon but it was beautiful. Marble pillars and a large fountain in the middle of the room. With the soft glow of the early morning sun coming in through the windows overhead, all the fears that she still had at that moment disappeared. She was still worried about her training but the Keep would no longer scare her. Her mother had been right; she might have fun times here.
Zedd led her through a maze of hallways and up several flights of stairs until they reached the library. Where she would begin her training by learning to read and write in many different languages. When Zedd opened the door Kahlan immediately noticed that someone had gotten up in a hurry and run from the table when they heard the door open. She looked around but she didn’t see anyone. Zedd seemed to know that someone was there and all he did was stand there with a smile on his face and say, “Where could that boy have possibly gotten to now? Richard…Richard, come out, there is someone I would like you to meet.”
A young boy, about Kahlan’s age came out from behind a bookshelf after the second time his name was called. “Come here my boy,” Zedd said as he motioned with his hands, “Richard, I want to introduce you to Kahlan.” Richard slowly made his way toward his grandfather as Zedd continued, “She is a Confessor and will be coming up to the Keep almost every day to study. I am counting on you to make her feel welcome. I’m sure you will be great friends.”
“She’s a girl. I don’t wanna be friends with a girl, they’re gross.”
“That’s okay. I don’t want to be friends with you either. I might get cooties.”
“Well if you like it or not you will be spending a lot of time together because I am training you both, so you will just have to get used to it.”
“Fine,” they said in unison.
“Spirits give me strength. These two will test my patience,” Zedd whispered under his breath.