Summary. The veil is restored, but there is no peace in the New World and Richard Rahl must face a new enemy – new Empire emerging from the depth of the Old World. Richard, Cara, Kahlan, Zedd, Darken.

Disclaimer: nope, not mine

Scene 1

Cara crossed a threshold of a half-lit room. He gaze stopped on the two half-naked lovers on the bed in far corner. She lifted an eyebrow. But then last weeks drove them all to the point of exertion. She allowed herself to starred at them for a few long moments. Her gaze traveled up Confessor long white legs and shifted to Seeker's chest. Something inside her turned and twisted.

"M-mm."

Few obscene images rushed through her mind and she hurriedly pushed them away. Time to do her duty. She leaned over Richard shoulder.

"Lord Rahl," she whispered softly into his ear. "Lord Rahl."

Richard jerked awake. Cara didn't bother to hide amused smile at his disheveled appearance.

"Wha..?" he asked his voice harsh from the sleep. "And I told you not to call you that."

"As you wish, Richard."

He twisted a little to look at Kahlan. But she was still sound asleep.

"Just to check, we did save the world yesterday?"

"Absolutely."

"Thanks the spirits."

Richard leaned back with a deep groan. His let his fingers run leisurely through long strands of Kahlan hair.

"So how the happily ever after feels like?" Cara asked with a ghost of a smirk.

"Pretty amazing."

"In that case you'd better memorize it very well."

He griped Cara's hand and a small part of her tried to reach for Agiel, but she squished that feeling too.

"What's going on?"

"A harold arrived with a message from Lord Rahl."

Richard let he go and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Right..," he whispered with resignation. "Can you just tell him to bugger off?"

Cara shrugged.

"I'm a Mord-Sith. I can send his head on the silver platter to the People Palace, if that would be you wish, Richard."

He sat up straighter.

"No need," he quickly assured her and cast aside the sheets.

"I see you still have you pants on, somewhat."

Richard blushed and fastened them quickly.

"Where is my shirt?"

She got it from windowsill, letting her fingers to brush over his hand.

"Thanks. I wonder what he wants."

"One can never be sure. Probably the usual."

"Yeah. Lure me into a trap, try to kill my friends, try to steal the Sword." He paused for a moment. "So our last camping trip was even nice."

Cara puzzled over his last words.

"Really?"

"Yeah. In a twisted brotherly way."

He fished out his boots from under the bed.

Cara measured him with a glance.

"Well, you are Rahl, too."

"And I'm not anyone's Lord, no do I intend to be one."

"You are so wrong."

Richard eyed his blade, his fingers running over the word Truth.

"It's stupid to lie to yourself, isn't it?"

"Everyone knows you are an idiot, Richard."

"Yet there are bigger idiots who still want me to be they Lord." He fastened the sword to his belt. "Come on, let's hear what my dear older brother has to say to us."

"What about Mother Confessor?"

"Let her sleep."

He took another blanket and spread it over sleeping Confessor. Unconsciously she reached for him, but Richard and Cara was already on they way out.

A/N: I don't know why I'm posting it. I should be finishing 3d chapter of Planet on Fire, but still here am I. Dunno what happened, I was kinda having a relapse into HP fandom (embarrassing) and – bam – LotS. Oops! Updates will be very short. Around 500 words per update. Just maybe that way they will be quicker. Ya know?

Oh! Yes… Does anyone want to beta it?