Richard's POV
The Mord-Sith left, led away by Cara. I was still reeling from what had just happened, so a dull thud and a pained curse that sounded from behind me took me completely by surprise. I turned sharply, followed by Kahlan and Zedd. There by the rock was a girl around twenty by the look of her, thin, pale but pretty nonetheless. She was wearing brown trousers and boots, dark blue shirt, a vest and a bright red neckerchief, which I found somewhat comical. She was looking around in confusion while rubbing her back when her eyes landed on us.
"Um," she looked us over cautiously, her eyes lingering on our faces. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about how I got wherever here is?"
Zedd was the first one to recover. "You're in Midlands, child. As to how you got here, I'm afraid I'm as lost as you are."
"Midlands?" she repeated, her voice rising slightly in panic as her eyes became even bigger than they were. "How in the blazes could I get to Midlands?!"
"Calm down," I tried for a reassuring smile, but wasn't sure if it worked. "I'm Richard, this is Kahlan and Zedd. What's your name?"
"Merlin," she replied after taking a few deep breaths and getting a grip on herself. "I'm from Camelot, before you ask. That's why I panicked."
"Camelot?" Zedd looked at her with new interest. "No one has been able to breach the barrier since it was raised between the kingdoms. What did you do?"
"Nothing," she said defensively, grabbing her pack and standing carefully. "I was walking along the road, just walking when I felt a strange pull and a burst of something green and then I fell down here."
"That must have been the same blast that killed Darken Rahl," suggested Kahlan after nodding to my subtle enquiry after the girl telling the truth.
"Darken who?" Merlin asked in confusion. "Can you please enlighten me on what is going on?"
"Let's move away from here and make camp," I suggested making a point of not looking at the destroyed body of my now dead enemy. Others murmured in agreement and we wandered into the forest. Once we were far enough to feel relatively safe we set camp. Kahlan collected some firewood while I pulled out the last of our bread and apples.
"Now," Zedd began sitting himself next to Merlin. "First things first. I'm Zeddicus Zul Zorrander, a wizard of the First Order. Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor. And Richard Cypher, the Seeker."
"You're a wizard?" Merlin asked in fascination. "So magic is not forbidden here?"
"Why would it be?" asked Kahlan. Merlin shrugged.
"It was used to wreak havoc on the natural balance. It was used for wrong things and it drove Uther Pendragon to destroy anything magic. As soon as he heard a word magic he went on a rampage, ceasing to see reason and killing anyone so much as suspected of having it. I-I… I have magic," whispered Merlin with a haunted expression. "But because I lived in Camelot and was a personal servant to the prince I had to hide right under the king's nose. And I don't know why I'm telling you all of this," She chuckled gloomily, refusing to look at us. She stared into the flames before lifting her hand palm out towards it and softly whispering. "Draca," she said and the flames formed themselves into a dragon that flapped its wings once before dissolving. But more fascinating were Merlin's eyes. They flashed a molten gold with magic.
"Interesting," Zedd looked the girl over. "You used the language of the Old Religion that is believed to be lost. Your magic is different to that of the inhabitants of these lands. I can sense it. It's powerful and wild."
Merlin smiled slightly. "I'm different to other sorcerers back home, too. My uncle, Gaius, said that I'm a question that has never been posed before. My magic is instinctual, spontaneous. I don't need incantations. I will it and it happens and incantations only help me focus it when there is no necessity. I could move objects with my mind before I could walk, and I learned to pause time for a few moments not long after. My magic acts up when I'm angry or scared," she rubbed her palms together before blowing on them and with another flash of her eyes colorful butterflies appeared out of nowhere and fluttered around us. Merlin smiled, watching them. "I always thought magic wasn't evil. This," she gestured to the butterflies that dissolved into golden dust, "this isn't evil. It's beautiful."
"It is," I whispered watching her in fascination. She was certainly something else. Not only was she different in terms of her magic. She just felt different. I felt like I could trust her even though we only just met. She seemed to think she could trust us too, having no problem talking openly with complete strangers. Merlin grinned at me, her eyes getting a mischievous spark in them.
"But I like this place already. I always wanted to see a real Confessor. I mean, I heard about your kind, but there are no Confessors in Camelot, so…" Merlin blushed slightly making Kahlan chuckle at her curiosity and enthusiasm. Zedd smiled too.
"Alright. Now, to answer your other question of what is going on…" I let Zedd and Kahlan explain the entire story, pitching in on an occasion. Merlin listened quietly, barely asking questions, taking everything in. It took hours to relay the entire journey to her and by the time we were done, it was well into the night.
"So those boxes of Orden may have been what caused me to be transported here when they were separated?" Merlin asked after a moment of silence. I confirmed. "And those boxes disappeared after the blast, possibly destroyed. Your greatest enemy is dead and there will be peace in the lands."
"Roughly speaking, yes," Kahlan nodded. Merlin nodded to herself, still thinking over what she heard.
"Alright. What happens to me, though?" When we looked at her in confusion, she elaborated. "I mean, if the only thing that has been able to breach the barrier in this interesting fashion was the power of the boxes of Orden, how do I get back? And if I can't get back, where do I go? I'm not exactly familiar with this place."
"There might be a way for you to get back sometime," Zedd said in contemplation. "As for what you can do in the meantime, it's up to you. You could try and settle down in some town, or…"
"Can I come with you?" Merlin asked suddenly, before leaning back slightly. "I mean, I don't know anyone here and have nowhere to go. Nothing to do. And after what you said about helping people – well, that's what I think magic should be used for. To do good things. That's what I want to do. I could help. Besides, you're a powerful wizard, Zedd. I'm still trying to comprehend what I'm capable of, trying to learn to control my magic. I want to learn, if you are willing to teach me."
"Of course, Merlin," Zedd smiled. "I will teach you what I can, but since your power is greatly different to mine, there is only so much I can do."
"But you are wise," Merlin noted. "And I have a book of magic that Gaius gave me. It has plenty of spells for me to study among other things."
"It's decided then," I concluded with no little amount of satisfaction. "We will head back to town in the morning and rest, before turning towards Aydindril."
"The Confessors' seat of power?" asked Merlin in fascination. Kahlan smiled and proceeded to paint a vivid picture of the city to her. Merlin listened with baited breath, just as she was before, soaking up every bit of information that was given.
"But all of this you will be able to see for yourself once we reach it. It really is worth the visit."
"Can't wait," Merlin smiled widely, before turning to Zedd and me. We spent a few more hours finding out more about each other. Talking about our homes and families brought us closer and when we wished each other good night, I felt like I've known Merlin my entire life. She just fit right in with us, as if she was supposed to be here. As if she was a piece that was missing, but we didn't realize anything was amiss until she filled that space.