Disclaimer: I don't own these characters…
I forgot to put the disclaimer and the author's note in chapter one. I'm not sure if I'm spelling Agramon correctly. Also, I know that in the book Rahl has blue eyes but they're green in the show, right? Either way, there are few things sexier than a guy with black hair and green eyes so I'm sorry if I really offend anyone who things they ought to be blue.
Also, I know that I spelled Kahlan wrong in the first chapter. I will fix it soon.
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Darken Rahl walked slowly though the dungeon where the new girls were kept. Their cries had slowed. They were all exhausted and to terrified to make a sound. Rahl removed his robe and handed it to the nearest guard. "Get me the little one," he ordered.
Agramon motioned to one of the men to get the girl out of her cell. She was only six or seven years old. Her eyes were red from crying. The guard lifted the struggling girl up and another guard helped to bind her hands in the shackles that hung from the ceiling.
Rahl followed the men into the anti-chamber where the training was done. A small table sat at one end of the room. On they table lay seven agiels. One for each of the new girls. Rahl walked over to them and inspected them as he spoke softly to the young girl, "Don't worry my dear. You will thank me for this when we are finished."
With one swift movement, Rahl grabbed one of the agiels and pressed it to the side of the girl. Her screams could be heard throughout the palace. Rahl held it there until the skin around the point of contact turned crimson. He pulled the agiel away from the girl and cringed slightly at the pain the agiel caused in his arm. He was worked with the agiels for so long it felt like not much more than a dull ache.
"What's your name," Rahl asked softly. The girl did not answer. Her mind was clogged with the pain the agiel had caused. Rahl's face grew stern. He pressed the agiel to the girl's outer thigh, "What's your name," he said, almost shouting.
"Annie," the girl cried. Rahl moved the agiel away.
"Ah," he said, the muscles in his face and shoulders relaxing, "much better. Now you know what happens when you are slow to answer me."
Annie looked at the ground as she replied, "Yes my Lord."
'This one will be easier than I had expected,' Rahl thought to himself. "Mistress Constance," Rahl called to a Mord-Sith standing just outside the chamber, "Would you do the honors of finishing this one's lessons? I have some other matters I need to attend to. "
Rahl sighed in relief as he handed the agiel to Mistress Constance. As he walked out of the room, Rahl smiled at the screams coming from the child's mouth as they trickled down the hall and towards the rooms of the other terrified, young girls.
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Richard watched as the guard walked along the overgrown path. "It seems as if our reports have reached Rahl," he said to Kahlan and Zedd who crouched near by.
"Rahl is more desperate than ever to capture you," Zedd whispered, "It looks as if he's sending his more trusted men after you, fortunately for us."
The three took up their bows. "Target the lower ranks," Richard whispered, "we need the general alive."
The arrows flew from the bows and hit their targets. The garrison was instantly on guard. Each man reached for his sword. There were only about 12 left alive. Those were great odds for the seeker, mother confessor and a wizard of the first order.
Richard jumped out from behind the small hill they were hiding behind, Sword of Truth in hand. Kahlan and Zedd followed quickly behind him. Richard and Zedd killed several more of the soldiers. They needed several soldiers alive to make the ploy work properly.
Kahlan grabbed the first man she saw. In a few seconds, the man was under her control. "Command me confessor," he said, gazing up at her lovingly.
"Get the others together. Do not hurt them," Kahlan replied. She needed a second to catch her breath after having used her power. She stood back and let Richard and Zedd help the recently confessed man gather the remaining troops and the general.
Once the men were under control, Kahlan stepped in and placed her hand on the neck of the general. He struggled with her for a moment before the power magic of a confessor worked its way though his body. "Command me confessor," he said softly.
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"What are you planning to do with her?" Agramon asked as he and Rahl stood in the hallway just outside of Rahl's chambers.
"I'm not sure. Her father was killed by the resistance so she is likely to be on our side. Something tells me that she will be useful," Rahl replied.
"Far be it from me to doubt your judgment my Lord," Agramon said softly with a slight bow. "One more thing my lord, we have gotten word that the garrison you sent after that rumor of the seeker was successful. They have captured him and are brining him to you."
Rahl turned towards the door to his chambers. "I will believe that when I have the seeker standing before me in chains, Agramon. Until then, continue to send quads to every corner of the empire."
"Yes my Lord," Agramon replied as he turned and headed for Darken Rahl's journey book.
