Title: Retribution
Author: LOTSlove®
Characters: Richard / Kahlan / Zedd / Cara / Characters I created
Rating: PG=16 / T
Timeline: Sequel to my fic Domination.
Story Type: Angst / Romance
Spoilers: Anything up to Torn
Disclaimer: I love to write about them even though I don't make any money.
Summary: Still dealing with the loss of their baby, Richard and Kahlan must save the Midlands from the Mord'Sith.
Retribution (Chapter 1)
The warm wind blew in powerful gusts sending leaves spiraling in a frenzy and setting weaker branches free from their larger companions. The sky overhead was growing increasingly darker, turning the once downy white clouds angry shades of gray that threatened to release a torrential storm upon the Midlands.
Shielded by a sizeable rock formation, she was somewhat protected from the turbulent winds but not from the approaching rainstorms. Cautiously peering around the jagged edges, she carefully studied the scene before her, spotting the one that she had relentlessly been tracking. Hooking her blond hair behind an ear, she watched as her adversary marched boldly through the camp. Her stride was determined, her steps purposeful. It was all she could do not to tear the Mord'Sith into pieces, but she knew she couldn't. She had made a promise.
She began to withdraw with a huff when she unexpectedly spied someone she had never expected to find there. Like a bolt of lightning, the site sent an icy chill down her spine. She ground her teeth, balling her hands into tight fists to keep from racing down there and slitting both their throats. Such an alliance was unexpected and would be devastating to say the least. She had to gather more information immediately before things grew even more deadly than they already were.
Tightly gripping the rocks, her sea green eyes were focused on the two allies deep in their private conversation. She silently watched until they disappeared into a tent. She had to slip down there undetected and find out just what they were planning.
XXX
The minutes slowly ticked by soundlessly, the room like an empty tomb waiting to be filled. He stared numbly at the wall, counting each stone, memorizing every detail of the room in an attempt to escape the crushing weight of his guilt and his worry. It threatened to pull him down into its murky depths, drowning him in its suffocating grip.
With a sigh, Richard slowly rose from his chair, the wooden legs scrapping loudly across the cool stone floor. He stood staring at her for several moments, finally releasing the hand he'd been holding for countless hours as he silently willed her to open her eyes for him.
Feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness, Richard stretched before making his way towards the balcony doors in need of some fresh air. Pulling them open, he made his way out onto the large, empty terrace that only served to amplify his loneliness. It would have been a breathtaking scene to share with the woman he loved, but he had little interest in the magnificent view of the lush palace gardens that stretched out before him or in the sounds of joyous celebration that were still taking place in the streets of Glenshire. Instead, his thoughts lay only with her.
The warm summer wind was beginning to whip, blowing through his hair, causing the longer strands to fall across his face. With a sigh of agitation, he brushed the hair from his eyes as he gazed at the swelling storm clouds overhead. Thunder rumbled gently in the distance as lightning began to create an impressive backdrop, outlining the swelling dark gray clouds.
The humid night air held the scent of approaching rain, causing a faint smile to play on his lips. There was always something so distinct and comforting about the smell of rain that he loved. It was such a clean, refreshing smell that hinted of impending renewal and rebirth. It was also a familiar scent that took him back to the sanctuary of the Hartland woods, causing a fleeting sense of tranquility to wash over him.
He felt his heart constrict at the thought of his home in Hartland, the woods that he loved to lose himself in. It seemed like an eternity away, another lifetime since he had last been there. He deeply missed it and hoped to return there someday, to take Kahlan there and share with her all of his favorite places.
He missed the simplicity his former life had held, the comfort and peace that the woods always brought to his soul. Now, everything was in turmoil, his whole world falling to pieces. He knew, though, that he had no one to blame but himself. It had all been his doing, because of him that everything was the way that it was.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling the damp air in an effort to ease the pain in his heart. He exhaled just as deeply then in a futile attempt to expel in one breath all of the hurt and fear that possessed him.
Leaning over, he gripped the stone balcony ledge, hanging his head with the weight of his heartache. His knuckles began to whiten as the rage and grief that lingered in his soul began to rise like a deadly viper preparing to strike. His heart began to race as the terrifying images that haunted his mind began flashing again, events of the last few days replaying as vividly as if he were reliving the nightmare all over again.
Images of holding Kahlan after pulling her from the vengeful grip of the ConDar…crying over the loss of their baby…Kahlan suddenly going limp in his arms…holding her closely to him, her face buried in the crook of his neck, as he raced back to Zedd and Cara.
He reached up and gently glided his fingers along the side of his neck. He swore he could still feel the sensation of Kahlan's head tucked protectively under his chin, her breath the faintest whisper against his neck causing him to fear that he had lost her forever.
Zedd working feverishly over Kahlan…"I'm sorry, Richard…there's nothing more that I can do. It's up to her now…Kahlan has other wounds that I cannot mend, wounds that only you can help heal…"
Zedd's words echoed in his mind and in his soul. Richard knew what wounds Zedd spoke of because they had ravaged his heart as well.
Cara freeing the Sovereign's son, Will, along with the rest of the palace staff…Will offering their palace and assistance for as long as they needed…carrying Kahlan into the suite provided for them…cleaning the blood off of her…washing her hair…dressing her in the white nightdress she had worn in Irica.
Thoughts of that intensely passionate night began to dance through his mind, bringing a slight comfort to his heart. He thought Kahlan had never looked more beautiful than she had that night at the Inn. Standing there in that captivating white nightdress that caressed her every curve, the moonlight cascading through the window and shining all around her like a glorious halo.
Even now, memories of that night still took his breath away. Her soft sensual flesh pressed hungrily against his, becoming tangled in the sheets as they rolled over and over with their exploding passion, their moist bodies molding into one another, their breath coming out in hot pants, their combined moans and gasps, her cries of ecstasy, holding her trembling body in his arms afterwards.
They had made fiercely passionate love long into the night. Little did they know at the time, they had also made their first child; a child created out of the purity and steadfast love that consumed them.
A tear of sorrow mingled with anger suddenly slipped unbidden down his cheek. He furiously brushed the tear away, feelings of guilt pressing in on him from every side, threatening to squeeze the breath from his body. He had no right to wallow in his grief. It was his fault that Kahlan nearly died, that they had lost their baby. If he had protected her, this never would have happened; she would still be carrying their child.
Richard slowly raised his head, releasing the vice-like grip he had held on the balcony railing. He turned, leaning his back against the rough ledge as he watched Kahlan sleep, his thoughts now drifting to other crises that fell on him as the Seeker to prevent. Catastrophes that were also of his making.
Richard knew that he was going to have to make some decisions very soon. He felt the weight of the world caving in on him like an avalanche with Kirsten and the Mord'Sith on their way to Aydindril and the Keeper growing more powerful every day. He would have to leave in search of the Stone of Tears and seal the rift soon or the Keeper would win, but he would have to stop Kirsten first before she took Aydindril.
But how could he even think about leaving Kahlan especially after everything that had happened? Maybe it would be for the best, though, if he left. Would Kahlan be able to forgive him? Tears suddenly collected in his eyes at the thought of Kahlan blaming him for the loss of their child. Would she send him away, never want to see him again? His mind was swirling with feelings and thoughts, some rational, others tainted by his emotions.
Richard needed her to be alright, to forgive him for what he had allowed to happen to her. He needed her to still love him. If she didn't love him, there would be no purpose for living.
Walking back to her bedside, he settled down in the hard-back chair that he had laid claim to as his own for the last two days. His head throbbed, his heart hurt, his body ached with fatigue. He yearned so deeply inside to see her bright blue eyes shining with love for him, to feel the warmth of her body pressed firmly against his.
He had not left her side since finding her except to bathe and change his clothes. Richard had stood staring in the mirror at his image, his clothes stained with Kahlan's blood. He had lightly brushed his fingertips over his blood-soaked shirt, his vision obscured by his tears. So much blood…
He had dazedly removed his clothes, washing away the crimson stains before putting on clean clothes and quickly returning to Kahlan's bedside. He did not want her to wake and not find him right there. That had been over two days ago.
Now taking her slender hand in his larger one, he gave it a gentle squeeze before bringing it to his lips. He feathered soft kisses across her knuckles before pressing it to his cheek. He closed his eyes, relishing in the feel of her skin against his face before finally bringing their hands back down to rest at her side on the bed.
The sudden feel of a hand on his shoulder startled him. So deep in thought, Richard had never heard anyone enter the room.
"Any change?"
"No," he solemnly answered, too afraid that if he said any more the tears that lay just beneath the surface would break through the fragile damn he had erected.
"We just need to give her some more time. Her body has been through a lot with the torture and losing the baby. Not to mention, the ConDar sapped what little strength she had left," Zedd softly replied. "You've been through a lot too, my boy."
"I'm fine, Zedd. It's her I'm worried about," he flatly stated, his face a mask of stone. Reaching out, he gently brushed a lock of hair from her brow, resting his hand on the side of her face, his thumb softly caressing her pale, bruised cheek.
"Richard, this isn't your fault…" Zedd gently began, knowing that his grandson was taking full responsibility for Kahlan's condition and the loss of their child.
"Is Cara back yet?"
"No, not yet. She should be back soon I would think," Zedd attempted to reassure him, deciding to not push him any further for the time being. He hoped that when Kahlan regained consciousness, Richard would see that he could not have prevented any of this from happening to her.
"Let me know as soon as she returns."
"I will make sure Cara comes up here to see you as soon as she's back," the Wizard promised. "I brought you something to eat. I knew there was no point in arguing with you about leaving Kahlan to go downstairs to eat something."
"Thank you, but I'm not hungry," he softly replied, never taking his eyes off of his lover.
"I'll leave it here just in case you change your mind. Just remember, you need to take care of yourself as well as her. You won't be any good to Kahlan if you don't keep your strength up," he affectionately reminded him, giving his shoulder a squeeze before leaving him alone with his wounded Confessor and his broken heart.
Zedd was just as worried about his grandson as he was about the Mother Confessor who had still not wakened. He knew that Kahlan would heal with time, but would need Richard's strength and love to heal the emotional wounds. He just hoped that Richard would allow Kahlan to heal his wounds as well.
Richard had spoken little since returning to them with Kahlan limp in his arms. The devastated expression on his grandson's face broke his heart and had changed little even after he had healed Kahlan and reassured Richard that she would eventually recover. He just hoped that Kahlan would wake soon before Richard spiraled any further into the gaping abyss of despair and guilt.
It hurt him to see his loved ones suffering, to watch them go through this traumatic loss, but he knew that Richard and Kahlan would be able to survive this because of their love for one another. It was going to be a very arduous journey, but their love bound them together, knitting their hearts together.
After several moments, Richard finally released Kahlan's hand and took the tray that Zedd had brought him. He absentmindedly picked at the warm soft bread, tearing off small bites of it before finally setting the tray aside. He knew he should, but he didn't feel much like eating. Instead, he carefully crawled into bed next to Kahlan, needing to feel her in his arms, to feel her body firmly against his. His soul begged for connection to the one who sustained his existence.
Lying on his side facing her, he stared at her, losing himself in her beauty that lay beneath the bruises that still marked her pale face. Each colorful bruise, every healing cut was just another reminder of how he had failed her and their child. Draping an arm above her head, he tenderly began stroking her raven hair from her forehead.
"I'm so sorry, Kahlan…please forgive me. You must fight; I can't live without you," he softly told her.
Richard carefully wrapped his arms around her, gently pulling her to him. Just the feel of Kahlan in his embrace caused a faint sense of peace to gradually cascade over his heart. Thunder began rumbling louder, making its presence known before it cracked violently, causing the windows to softly rattle. Lightning began to streak viciously, seemingly setting the sky on fire.
Resting her head against his chest, Richard finally gave himself over to the overwhelming fatigue that had gripped him for the last several days despite the violent tempest that erupted outside as well as the one steadily brewing inside his heart.
XXX
"You act surprised to see me."
"What do you want?"
"Kirsten, I'm crushed. What makes you think I want something?"
"You wouldn't be here unless you wanted something," Kirsten spat out, her eyes narrowed in a deadly glare upon the person standing before her. "Whatever you're after, you will not get it so why don't you just return to wherever it is you slithered out of."
"I've heard what Kiana has accomplished, taking over D'Hara and now attempting to take Aydindril and the Midlands. I'm impressed. Very bold plan indeed."
"Kiana is dead," she coldly stated, fury dancing in her emerald orbs. She would personally see to it that the Mother Confessor would pay one way or another for killing her sister.
"Well, I guess I came at just the right time. Looks like you need me now more than ever."
"I neither need nor want your help. I am in charge now," Kirsten hissed, her calm, but lethal expression barely concealing the furious vengeance that tore through her body.
"So, you're on your way to take Aydindril then?"
"Perhaps I have my own plans, but I will not share them with you," she replied with finality as she strode past her visitor to exit the tent.
"Kirsten, I wouldn't be so quick to refuse my assistance if I were you. I could help you get what you want."
"And how do you know what I want?" she quietly asked, closing her eyes as she stopped at the tent door, mentally shoving aside the grief that suddenly welled up out of nowhere.
"I know Kiana is dead and I know Kahlan Amnell killed her. You want revenge on her and I can help you get it."
"You seem to know a lot of things. And what is it that you want in return for your services?" Kirsten asked, keeping her back to her visitor as her hand fiercely gripped the tent flap.
"The Seeker – Richard Cypher."
The words came so intense and yet so soft that Kirsten almost didn't hear them. The Seeker…the one person that Kirsten had wanted for herself.
Releasing the tent flap, Kirsten slowly turned back towards her guest, folding her arms across her chest. "Tell me why I should even agree to your help…"
*Well, here it finally is. Hope the wait wasn't too unbearable! I promise to wrap up things that I left unfinished in Domination. :)