Author's note : I own nothing, this is just my own appreciation towards the show ('cause I haven't got to read the books yet ). Forgive me if you find errors here, I'm still struggling with my English. Give me some love, leave me review, and I'll live for another day to update for you… :D
Now, get to the Story :
THE UNEXPECTED QUEST
By: LonelylittleDevil
CHAPTER 1 …… A LOST STRANGER
" Ssshh ! " Richard strode from the huge river rock he'd been sitting on, bending forward in an alert pose, ready to draw the sword of truth. His eyes were narrowed, ears sharpened in every light silent step toward the ghostly shadows of the woods. Zedd was tense, standing with his hands at his sides, his long hair was messier than usual, long white strands bounced to the left and right as he turned his head at the rustling sound.
A sharp gush of wind on his back and Richard spun in reflect, swinging his sword with a seeker's force, only to find Kahlan's graceful form standing ever so close, and he let out a startled cry, stumbling backward as he drew back his sword. A soft chuckle escaped from Kahlan's lips, followed by Zedd's unnatural laugh, he was already sat back with Cara by his side, who was hiding a smile behind her strict face.
" Kahlan ! What are you doing ? I could have hurt you ! " He exclaimed, the sour face he was making only made her let out another chuckle, amused, yet also amazed at how he looked at her, a complex mixture of surprise, anger, love, and also relieve at her presence. She had only gotten back from the town with Cara, disguising to get information, while Zedd and Richard planned their next move.
" I'm sorry " she said softly, " I just want to check your defense, turns out it's still ok " she added, offering him a small smile.
Richard snorted half heartedly. " It's still ok ? " he muttered, shaking his head slightly, settling himself close to her, by the Zedd's left.
The old wizard smirked. " You should see your face. It's a good entertain in a situation like this. Could do it often " he laughed, Richard gave him a sharp glare, while Kahlan's face had turn serious, matching Cara's.
" We have to move fast " Cara began. " The mord siths are gathering army, from every village. So far, they have taken almost a hundred childs. Fourteen were found ... dead "
" Where's the compass heading ? " asked Kahlan, looking at Richard who already opened the compass on his palm. The tiny blue orb shone, gleaming in the shadow of the woods in its soft light.
Richard closed it with a soft click, and replied. " To the west "
" The west ? " Zedd frowned, his tall figure shadowing the rest of them as he stood. " The west …. It's the last place I want to go "
" Why ? " Richard asked.
" Because we are going to the most sacred place on earth " Cara answered for Zedd, who was seemingly thinking very hard of something. " The Dragon back mountains. The four mountains that join together. "
Kahlan tensed at the mention of the name, and all eyes were suddenly on her. She sat with her back straight, a mask of horror covered her face. " That's where the white temple lies, right in the middle of the mountains that circle it. The place where magic born, and also place where evil first rise. My ancestor called it the temple of doom. "
" Because noone that went there ever comes back ? " Richard guessed.
Kahlan smiled bitterly before made her reply. " Close, but not exactly the truth. Richard, noone, NO ONE, has ever reached the temple. Because no one could escape the death that lives in those four mountains. "
Zedd sat back, nodded, agreeing at Kahlan's explanation." The angel of death specially guard the place, according to the legend "
" This is where someone needs to say: let's fight till our death " Richard said lightly, smirking. But then something caught his sense, as well as the rest of them. They all stood with alert, except for Zedd who chose to sit back and watch, obviously sure that the young three could handle whatever coming without his help. Cara turned her head slightly, listening, Richard and Kahlan stood back to back, drawing their weapons.
" There " he whispered to himself before running toward the sound, leaping from the low branch to another, and pounced right at his target, pinning him on the ground, the sword of truth at his neck.
" Please, don't kill me " he begged.
Richard's grip on his collar loosen, still having his sword against his neck, he frowned as the intruder turned out to be a young boy, not more than fifteen years old, he presumed. He turned to Kahlan as she placed her hand on his shoulder, a sign for him to let go.
The young boy stammered, rubbing his neck with both hands, then sighed with relief to find nothing, glad that the sharp blade didn't damage his smooth skin. " Oh, people. That was scary " he muttered under his breath. Then he glanced around, pulling himself up as he grabbed Richard by his elbow. " You have to help me, they're chasing me. They're going to kill me. I was lost, and they came out from nowhere and just attacked me "
" Slow down, boy. Who's chasing you ? "
" Them " Cara lifted her chin, gesturing at the two men running their way. From her place, with a single swing of her arm, Kahlan shot her dagger with the handle at the front, the dull solid steel impacted with the man's forehead, knocking him to the ground with his eyes rolled painfully, face flattened against the dirt. The other man proceeded forward, a long heavy sword at his left hand. Richard twirled swiftly at the aimless attack and caught the man's wrist, knocking the sword out of his grip, and twisted his arm, forcing him to fell on his knees.
Taking the man's sword and pointed it at his neck, Richard said " Go, before I change my mind " The man gave a faint nod, but when Richard turned, he drew a small knife from inside his boot. Richard was about to act when Cara's heel landed on the poor man's face with a loud crack, causing him to cry out loud before finally ran, holding his bleeding nose, dragging his half conscious friend who was still suffering from Kahlan's unexpected action, a big red swell on his forehead. As calm as she was, the mother confessor walked gracefully, passing by the young boy who's mouth had fell open at what he just witnessed, and took back her dagger, slipping it inside the leather boot that covered her slim leg.
" Wow, that was amazing " finally he spoke, recovered from shock. Then with a lopsided grin, he asked stupidly. " Who are you people ? "
Richard rose a curved eyebrow. " I think the question is 'who in the name of the spirits are you ? "
Still having the same amazed expression on his face, he answered. " I'm Neil, from the Solace island "
" I've Never heard of it. Zedd ? "
" The hidden island, protected by magic barrier, like the boundary at the westland. " Zedd explained. " I thought it was only a myth "
" What are you doing here ? " the wizard asked, looking at him sternly , studying the young boy's suddenly scared face.
For a long two minutes, the boy fell silence. The fat drop of sweat streamed down his pale cheek, following the line of his face, down his neck. With a single deep breath, he answered. " I ran, looking for help. My master is in trouble and if I don't get back with help soon, he might be killed "
Cara stepped infront of him, taking the big long sword from Chris's grip and handed it to the boy. " Then you better hurry. Go " she said in a low monotonous tone.
He took the sword, and almost fell on his knees if not for Richard's strong arm that caught him. " You've never hold a sword before, have you ? " The boy looked at him sheepishly and shook his head.
" There's never been a fight in our place, not until the arrival of the dark wizard and his men. They came and claimed our lands. My master is in his capture, we have to save him ".
" Boy, you're on your own. We have our own mission and we are absolutely not going to abandon it for you " Cara prompted before exchanging look with Zedd. " We have to get going, there is no time to waste "
" We'll help you "
Cara glared at Richard, she knew he would say that. The beautiful mord sith was seemingly irritated by the seeker's one side decision. " Are you mad ? the faith of the world depends on you, there isn't time for this. This boy can go and get himself a jobless person to help him out, and we need to go to the west before the evil forces destroy this world, seeker " she pointed out with a little pressure at the last word, her eyes were full of persistence.
" Who's going to help him ? Did you see what just happened ? those men could have hurt him, or worse, if we're not here to help "
" Besides, how can I save the world if I cannot even help this boy ? or his master ? he, and the people there might become our alliance. We're not abandoning our mission, we just ... postpone it. And I have a feeling we need to go with him, a seeker's sixth sense " he added, there was a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth as he spoke. " Trust me on this, all of you " he saw Cara was trying her best not to scowl, but still, he could hear her muttering under her breath as she stormed away. " You and your stupid noble act ! "
Zedd glanced at Kahlan, while Richard patted the boy on the back, knowing the result of the silent talk between the old wizard and the mother confessor.
" Hurry up, what are you waiting for, end of the world ? " Cara shouted from the front where she had walked ahead of them, carrying her bag on her right shoulder, still looking upset with the decision, but proceeded nevertheless.
" Is she always like that ? " the boy's eyes were on the mord sith as he asked.
Richard smirked. " Oh, you have seen nothing yet "
" And she is gorgeous " He gestured at Kahlan, smiling. At this, Richard snapped his hand away from the boy's back.
" Go to the front, you need to lead us the way " he said, pointing at the front where Cara had been on the lead. Some boy…
The boy shrugged. " With her ? She's pretty, but … "
Richard's eyes practically screamed 'GO !' , and the boy gulped silently, half running toward Cara. The mord sith didn't even say a word, but her glare itself enough to chill his bones. He smiled nervously at her, from behind, Kahlan heard the boy was trying to talk to her, and she could see clearly that Cara's hands were curled into fists, and she couldn't help but smile, thinking how it must've been hard for her not to land those white knuckles on the boy's face. Richard notice this too, and he suppressed a chuckle, looking at Kahlan.
In double steps, Zedd was ahead of them, catching up with Cara and the boy. " Hey, is there any nice food in your place ? " he asked the young boy, wiggling his brows. Richard was very close to roll his eyes, beside him, Kahlan put a calm face, but both were thinking the same thing as they marched toward their companions.
End of Chapter 1