Hi! Here am I, thanks for reviews, enjoy the ride and don't forget to tell me what you think :)

Scene 2

Richard was in a troubled frame of mind, experience told him that whatever Darken Rahl had to say, he certainly didn't want to hear it. But then if he wished to lead peaceful life, he might as well turn around and return to Hartland, something he had no intention of doing anytime soon. He measured with a glance trembling youth in scarlet D'Haran uniform in front of him, and then his gaze fell on the scroll clutched in boy's left hand.

"I'm Richard Cypher, the Seeker of Truth. I see you have the letter for me."

The boy blinked.

"I was told to give it to the man who goes under the name Richard Rahl."

Richard folded his arms and glared angrily at Cara. She snorted.

"That's him," she said flippantly, stealing a chicken leg from Zed's plate. "M-mm that's good! You! Don't hinder Lord Rahl. You know, he is busy man and he has this scary sword."

That caused immediate response and the messenger fell on his knees.

Richard cursed quitly.

"Don't… Oh, forget it. Letter?"

Richard didn't have time to pick it up from outstretched hands when Zedd snatched it right under his nose.

"Thank you. You can leave."

"But…"

Cara got out her Agiel.

"You heard Lord Rahl. He said leave."

"Yes, my lord," muttered the boy and run out of the house.

Richard turned to his granddad.

"Now what was that about?"

"Just checking, my boy," he said waving hands over the scroll and after another minute pronounced: "It's not charmed or cursed or poisoned." With satisfied sigh Zed pushed it down the table and returned attention to his breakfast. "You can open it."

"Thanks, I guess. Read it, Cara."

"All right."

She her wiped her hands and broke the seal on the scroll.

My dear brother!

"The nerve of him!" grumbled Zedd from his place.

"Continue," asked Richard.

I write to you with the memory of our last meeting still fresh in my mind. I know we can never forget about our bitter shared past, for too much death and pain lies between us. But I write to you with a hope that family ties will help us to salvage what still could be saved.

"Ok. That's just creepy."

Zedd nodded, his bony fingers snapping the fork he was holding.

"Indeed."

Cara looked askew at the thin smoke rising from Wizard clenched hand and resumed reading.

I applaud to your recent success, Richard, and you know that more than anything I wish I could have shared that sweet moment with you. Alas, the circumstances detained me in another place. I find comfort in the thought that the little help that I offered you was of some use in the end. But not brotherly congratulations are guiding my hand now, however in order they are.

"And he didn't start lying yet."

Richard voice was full of sarcasm.

"Sometimes twisted truth is more dangerous than outright lie, Richard," reminded the old man.

"Shall I?"

Richard, you have defeated the Enemy, but you must know that the true and final victory can never be yours for He is Eternal. His other plans are already in motion and you will be wise to hear out what I got to say to you. I can't confide to a mere paper everything that should be said, neither it's safe or wise. But believe me, even if you have no reason to do so, when I tell you that soon the shadow will fall upon us.

Meet me in Aydindril in fortnight.

Your brother Darken Rahl,

Master of D'Hara

"This is it?" asked Richard in much softer voice.

Cara confirmed it with a curtly nod and put the parchment down on the table.

"What you are going to do, my boy?"

"First, I'm going to ask wise wizard for a good advice."

"Darken Rahl is dangerous man. I wouldn't trust him to carry my trash out. He speaks of oncoming danger; there is always danger in this world. Always have been, always will be."

"Go on."

"There is no doubt in my mind that he is going to play you, Richard. His words are sweet, but his actions are ruthless. What do you trust more: words or actions?"

"That's not his words or deeds I'm worried about, Zedd."

"I don't know, we defeated the Keeper of the Underworld, shouldn't everything be easy after that?"

Both men eyed her in disbelief.

"What? You can't beat that!"

Wizard cracked a smile.

"Oh, Cara. Never change."

"Not planning to. So what's now?"

He laid his hands atop the dinning table and met first Wizard intent gaze, next Mord-Sith icy glare. He cocked his head.

"Now?" Richard began and stopped for a moment. He smiled apologetically. "Now I'm going to ignore that wise wizard advice."

Cara whistled.

"Who is going to tell Mather Confessor that?"

Zedd angry raised his hands above his head.

"Her Seeker will tell her."

"I though so." Cara walked closer to the Richard and slowly traced his jaw with her glowed finger. "Well, it was nice knowing you."

Richard groaned.

A/N: ok, maybe that short chapter thing is going to work out :) What do you think about the letter, was it pompous enough?

About where am I going with it - adamsfamily was pretty much right.

About pairings. Richard/Kahlan, no surprise here. But others will have fun too. Certainly nothing more than the show would have had, I dare say even less… (*cough*s1e12*cough*… well, unless absolutely everyone want some light slash/incest action here. But you don't, do you?)

And about the universe. Obviously there should be some differences after what happened in the s2 finale. World has changed, so mostly it affected Cara of course (and Dalia). So there will be a pair of surprises in the future.

R&R!