When that blonde Mord'Sith sauntered down the dirt path in the woods, Kahlan knew there was going to be trouble. Nothing good can come of a Mord'Sith trailing them. Richard had realized this and devised a plan. Now the four of them, Zedd, Cara, Richard, and herself were carefully concealed behind various trees and bushes.
Upon the signal from Richard, Cara leapt from her hiding place and onto the Mord'Sith. Kahlan and the others rushed forward and surrounded them. Cara struggled on top of the other woman for a moment and then pulled back to deliver a blow.
Before she could, however, the woman spoke, "Cara it's me." Her voice caused Cara to freeze for a moment.
Kahlan saw the confusion on Cara's face as her eyebrows knitted together as she responded, "Dahlia?"
"You know her?" Richard quickly asked.
The two Mord'Sith rose slowly without looking away from each other. Kahlan burned with curiosity as to why this woman knew Cara and what would make her try to find her now. Kahlan uncertainly pointed her dagger at Dahlia's throat.
Cara spoke steadily even though Kahlan could see the emotions rushing through her, "We served together for many years ."
Richard got straight to the point, "Why were you following us?"
Dahlia turned from Richard and spoke straight at Cara. "The true Lord Rahl is in danger. I need your help to save him."
"Darken Rahl may have used magic to come back to the world of the living but Richard is the true Lord Rahl," Cara shot back at her.
Dahlia shook her head and clarified, "I'm not talking about Darken Rahl or the seeker. I'm talking about your son."
Kahlan was astonished and turned to look at Cara hoping that she would deny this crazy claim. She had never heard her talk about a husband or whatever qualified as one for a Mord'Sith.
Richard was the only one of the group who wasn't speechless. He looked at Cara and asked, "You have a son?"
"Many Mord'Sith bear children," she snapped.
Dahlia cut in, "But not many bear children fathered by Darken Rahl."
Zedd and Richard were stunned but Kahlan felt the blow the most. Her breathing stopped and she almost fainted.
"Why didn't you ever tell us?" Richard inquired.
"It wasn't important," Cara said calmly though her expression told different.
Kahlan finally found her voice and asked, "What happened to the child?"
Cara turned away from her, "He was taken from me at birth."
Kahlan started to step forward to comfort her. "Cara, I'm so sorry."
"Don't be," she snapped back.
That stopped Kahlan in her tracks but she knew that Cara wasn't fond of comfort.
"It was considered an honor to be chosen by Lord Rahl," she said stepping back into her unfeeling Mord'Sith shield.
"Do you know where the baby was taken?" Richard questioned with caution.
Cara responded blandly, "Male children born to Mord'Sith are sent to be raised by the Dragon Corps to learn to fight for D'hara."
Dahlia stepped closer to Cara and said, "When Darken Rahl died, my sisters and I went to find the boy. We took him back to our temple and served him like the true Lord Rahl he will one day become, but a week ago our temple was raided by Sisters of the Dark."
"The Sisters' powers are useless against Mord'Sith," Cara said suspiciously.
"We thought so too but they've grown stronger," Dahlia said with an ironic smile. "We couldn't repel their magic. I was the only Mord'Sith to survive. The sisters took the boy. I tracked them to a retreat in the hills of Eritrane, but I knew I wouldn't be able to rescue him on my own." She paused, "So I came to find you."
"We have more important things to do than chase after a missing child," Cara simply said.
"Cara, there's nothing more important than your son. He's the future of D'hara and he needs your help," Richard said wisely. He stepped in front of Cara and faced Dahlia directly, "If you don't mind, I think we need to speak with Cara."
Dahlia contemplated for a moment then walked away silently.
Richard started talking but Kahlan didn't listen. She was watching Cara intently. It was only when Cara turned and looked at her did she realize that Richard was saying her name.
"I was asking you if you could tell if she was lying, Kahlan," he said.
"You know I can't read Mord'Sith," Kahlan sighed. "Do you trust her, Cara?" She was curious to hear her answer.
Cara turned to look at Dahlia who was standing just out of hearing range. Kahlan noticed how she was twirling her hair between her fingers as she thought.
"I knew her from before we served. She came from the same village, but now I can't be sure."
Richard stepped closer, "If she's telling the truth, this boy needs to be found." He raised his eyebrows with concern."
Cara glared back at him, "This could be a trap to lead you away from your quest."
Richard frowned and thought for a moment, "Then you and Kahlan go with her. Zedd will come with me and we will continue the search for the stone. Catch up with us when you can."
Cara's eyes flashed to the Mother Confessor's with slight fear in them. Kahlan saw the fault in her usual mask and turned her head down. Cara had never been fond of her but now she must really be upset that they were going to be traveling together. She thought after what happened with the wisp that their friendship had been improving. Apparently not.
Cara opened her mouth to protest but Richard silenced her with a hand. "That's an order, Cara," he declared defiantly.
She huffed and folded her arms over her chest. Richard gave Kahlan a look of pity and wished her luck as the groups parted ways.