The theory is that the westlands, the side of the boundary that is cut off from magic, morphed into a realm of its own so that it became a world, and the other side became a world, as well. Over the course of hundreds of years, while one side remained the same, mostly unchanging due to the usage of magic, the other grew into a world where over six billion ungifted reside. Of course, there are the rare few who are born with magic having not been descended from it. In westland history, those were hunted in every which way which is how the Salem Witch Hunt came to be.
It came to pass that my family moved to the westlands after the downfall of the house of Rahl. But of course, the only reason I know about all this is because of my kooky grandfather who rambles on day and night about silly things like magic and prophecies. As a child I would listen to them all the time, but as I grew older, life began to wear on me and his stories became only a lullaby.
On one of his visits, I found myself out in the rain at six in the morning purchasing his tea because I knew that without it, he would throw a fit. Walking the streets of down town Seattle is dangerous at such an hour, especially when the only available help would be indoors due to the weather. So I ran as quickly as I could, through the dark alleyways that would take me there fastest. I reached the shop I had been looking for and stepped into the toasty warmth and out of the freezing rain.
"Morning, Lydia," said the man behind the counter, looking up. Jared was part of the native American tribe nearby and ran the shop with his sister. Ever since I could remember, he was the only one who sold grandfather's tea. "Is Marcus back in town?"
"It's only been three months," I laughed, rolling my eyes. "The usual, please."
Jared stood up and went over to one of the shelves to grab a large vase and a smaller wooden box. With a small cup he measured the herbs within the vase and poured them into the box which he handed to me. I gave him my ten dollars and waited for my change.
"You know, I really wish you'd take the safer way home," he mused. "The gang activity has been picking up lately. You know, just last week they found a family murdered in their home? Apparently the father was a gambler…three innocent children."
I shuddered and closed my eyes, willing myself not to picture the horrible thought. "I think I'll be alright. It's not like I've ever done anything to anger them."
"Doesn't matter. These people do horrible things because they think they're above the law…" I could tell just from his tone of voice how much he hated gangs and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. He half smiled up at me. "Get home safe, Lydia."
"I will, promise," I said.
I hid the little box from the rain in the folds of my thick jacket as I walked out of the shop. I quickly started running back the way I had come, shaking and shivering in the rain. A few times I slipped where the rain had become ice, but I mostly managed to stay on my feet.
After a few minutes, I couldn't shake a horrible feeling in my gut that had nothing to do with the rain. Every few minutes I began looking over my shoulder. Then I began to see them. The tall boys in heavy sweaters that mostly concealed their identities. At first there was only one, then two, three or four more to the point where I was on a mad dash for my house.
I cut corners everywhere I went, not wanting to waste a moment. I had nearly reached my street just beyond an alley but when I tried to climb the stairs out, one of the gang blocked my path. I turned to go around the building, but his friends had caught up with me. I was trapped in that little alleyway with hungry animals advancing towards me.
"Who you running from?" one of the gang asked, skipping over to me as though we were old friends.
"Please, stay away," I said as loudly as I could muster. Laughter rippled through the boys.
"What, you don't want to play with us?" asked another. "Because we decided to start a whole game with your family."
Threatening my family was majorly stepping over a line.
"You ever heard of the game hide-and-seek? Well, we're going to hide you, and they're gonna seek!"
"You won't touch me," I growled in a way that would normally impress me.
The boy leaned in close and I leaned away as far as I could. "Watch me."
They all attacked at once, grabbing my arms and legs so I had no hope of fighting, but whenever I got a chance to, they hit me. While I was restrained, the boy who wasn't holding a part of my body hit me over and over on my face, my stomach, and wherever else. I could taste the blood as the impact sites began to swell. I was hurt badly and they weren't relenting.
I finally managed to break an arm free which immediately shot out to grab the throat of the one hurting me. With a loud scream, I began to choke the life out of him which received more punches to the stomach, but I never let go.
But then everything shifted. It felt as though something inside of me snapped and from the wound poured a great energy which was unleashed upon the boy I had grasped. My eyes suddenly flew open and I saw that the boy's had gone a demonic black. When the flow of energy returned to me and the snap resealed itself, the boy fell to his knees while all his friends ran away in their cowardice.
"Command me, mistress," the boy whispered.
"I want to go home," I choked through the blood.
I felt my body being lifted into shaking arms. The boy carried me out of the alleyway and walked to my street and right up to my door where he rang the bell. I heard the door being answered and surprised gasps and shouts. Then the boy carried me into my house, setting me down on the soft couch in the living room.
"Lydia," came my grandfather's voice. "Lydia, can you understand me?"
I nodded weakly.
"Lydia, have you confessed this man?"
I opened my mouth to ask what in the world he was talking about, but only blood gurgling came out. I felt my jacket being searched and the tea box being pulled out. A part of my working mind was angry that he was worried about his tea at a time like this. But that part was quickly batted away by the horrifying pain.
After what seemed to be an eternity, a warm liquid poured into my mouth, instantly soothing the pain all over my body, even on the surface. My eyes flew open as all the damage was healed and I was put back into perfect condition. I looked over at my grandfather who was holding a cup of steaming tea with a toothy grin.
"What is that?" I asked, still catching my breath.
"Haven't you been listening to my stories?" he asked. "The world around you is not as it appears. Not anymore, anyway. I'm afraid you have a much higher destiny—one that lies far beyond Seattle."
I looked over to the boy who was smiling as though he had not just beat me senselessly.
"What did I do to him?" I demanded. My grandfather got out of his chair and went to the kitchen.
"You know, after all these years, I was beginning to think my daughter gave birth to a pristinely ungifted. It never occurred to me that you would be granted the powers of a confessor. Do you remember the stories I told you about them?" he asked.
"Yes. they have the ability to take the free will of anyone with a single touch. All but a select few were killed just before the downfall of Rahl and there are still very few. Are you trying to say that I'm one of them?"
"Keep going," he ordered, stirring his tea.
"In a time of great evil, the spirits grant us a Seeker of truth and entwined with his fate is a wizard, a confessor, and the ultimate downfall of his greatest enemy. Again, what does this have to do with me?"
"On the midlands side of the boundary, that great evil has arisen," my grandfather said. He poured more tea into a cup and steadily carried it over and handed it to me. "He was the student of one of Darken Rahl's most gifted adversary—a wizard of the first order by the name of Giller. Through Magic, he has hidden himself for hundreds of years, gaining more and more powerful. Not he has taken the throne in the house of Rahl which gives him control of a powerful army and all of D'hara. Eighteen years ago, the Seeker of truth was born. I have been his wizard, training him to become a wise young man who will be a hero in the coming years. I feel he is ready to face his enemies.
"As for you, it is written in the halls of prophecy that none of the few confessors there are left will aid the Seeker. There are less than one hundred sisters left and their numbers are still dwindling. So fate chose the perfect you woman to be given the magic of a confessor to aid the Seeker in his quest and defeat the greatest evil. Lydia, my child, you have been chosen."
I frowned, I gaped, and I smirked. But an uncontrollable rage burned within me.
"So, I just got beaten up in an alley a block away from this house and you're telling me more stories. That's…that's great, grandfather, just great." I stood up angrily and began pacing through the living room.
"But you still wonder how my stories can still be a lie while you have so clearly confessed a man?" he guessed.
"I didn't confess him!" I hissed.
"Really?" he challenged. "Order him to do something—anything."
I went to stand in front of the boy who was staring up at me lovingly. "What is the worst thing you have ever done?"
"My friends and I beat up someone who lost a bet with us and we did the same to his family…to the point where it would've been merciful of us to kill them."
"Before today, did you ever feel sorry for it?"
"Oh, all the time, mistress. But I wouldn't dare let my friends see otherwise they would have done the same to me!"
I nodded slowly. "I want you to go to the police and turn yourself in. Tell them every criminal offense you have committed and who helped you. Accept your punishment willingly."
He looked down at his hands. "Yes, confessor."
I watched, dumbfounded as he stood up and left the house.
"First day on the job and you're already ridding the world of evil!" my grandfather said, clapping his hands.
"If I'm a confessor, what does that make you?" I suddenly asked.
"Why, I am the Seeker's wizard!" he laughed. "And I think it is about time you meet the man who is going to save the midlands! But first we must dress accordingly…"
He motioned for me to follow as he walked to the guest bedroom. He went to the large trunk he always brought with him on his visits and opened it up. From it he pulled a large, darkly colored robe with many designs. Then he pulled out a long, white dress with a hood and lace up corset.
"Is that a confessor's robe?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes. I have been preparing for this day ever since the birth of the Seeker. Now, you change and pack only your most valuable possessions, preferably something with sentimental value. If you are ready to accept your duty, you may not be able to see your parents until the evil has been defeated."
I was torn. In three years, I would've graduated college and become something in this world. But apparently, I already was something in another world. I had no friends to leave behind, no one except Jared and my parents. But I never really wanted to live in this world where there is so much daily evil. In the midlands, the only evil was capable of being defeated and I would help do it. So I looked into my grandfather's proud eyes and nodded.