The cold water splashed onto him, waking him instantly as it had done for the past two weeks. We did not say you could sleep. The woman s voice said before her food slammed into his ribs, making him moan out in pain as he struggled to open his eyes. Get up!

Pulling him up by his hair, she pushed him into the wall as another woman moved before him, holding her agiel to his chest. You have been requested in your mistress s chambers.

He pulled away, covering his chest with his arms as he sank down to the ground, shaking his head. No! he whispered as he lifted his legs up to his chest.

He fought to stay conscious, as an agiel was placed on the side of his neck as another pressed roughly into his side, making him fall over. They pulled back at the same time, giving him a second of peace before being kicked. Pushing one of the Mord'Sith back, he grabbed the leg of the other, pulling her onto the ground and slamming his fist into her face as the other tried to pull him from her sister.

Pressing her agiel to the back of his head, she smiled as he cried out in pain and fell to the ground. You will do as you are told! she said in a low voice, keeping her eyes on him as he rolled onto his back. You will go and please your mistress.

I will not. He replied trying to sit up, but she held him down with her foot, earning himself a broken nose. He would deny any order that came from someone other than his mistress. When she spoke, he listened.

He cried out as they drug his naked body through the hall by the chain around his neck, reaching out constantly to grab hold of anything he could to slow them down. He looked around, trying to find anything he could use as a weapon. Grabbing hold of a passing table he pulled the leg free and slammed it against the legs of the Mord'Sith pulling him by his legs.

Once she let go, he pulled back the table leg and hit her again as she pulled her agiels, until he was able to knock her to the ground as well. Moving over her, he slammed it against her face, relishing in the feel over her blood splashing across his face.

You will never learn will you? he turned around towards her voice, dropping the table leg instantly. You will be punished severely for harming one of my sisters.

He nodded, standing up as she walked towards him, lowering his head in shame of what he had done. She towered over him as he bent forward, trying to keep from looking her in the eyes. Her dark hair reminded him of Kahlan and her light green eyes, he had found to be beautiful. He reached up, handing her the chain around his neck without hesitation, all thoughts leaving his mind except for thoughts of her. She smiled as they walked to her chambers. She had broken him. Not in the way that was done to most men, no, she had taken the part of him that loved Kahlan and ripped it from his heart one small, agonizing piece at a time.

Each day for three weeks, he had been tortured in a new way. His previous training with Denna kept him from being broken like their others. He was able to withstand most of the pain from their agiels. Most. Every day, he was awakened and taken to her bedroom, forcing him to do the one thing he didn't want to do. The one thing he would that would make him cry. Every day, she would whisper Kahlan's name in his ear as he brought her to climax, bringing him to tears each time. She enjoyed the feel of his tears falling down her neck as he made love to her; it brought her more pleasure to have him in such a weak state.

Lord Rahl was right to have me train you. She said softly, as they entered her room. You were a challenge I was very pleased to receive. You have been able to please me in every way possible. The sound of your cry when you are being beaten with the agiel. The moan of pleasure you release when you are inside of me. The tears you cried into my shoulders. She pressed him against the wall, running her hands over his bare chest. You are quite talented for a pet. She whispered before slamming her lips against his.

The door flew open as he lifted himself from her body, exhausted. They turned quickly to the door, both breathing heavily. Leaping from the bed, he stood between them, protecting the woman he had just made love to.

Richard, Kahlan breathed out softly at the sight of him standing naked before her, protecting another woman. I m going to get you out of here. her mind raced as she looked past him to the woman lying in the bed with a wide smile.

The Mord'Sith standing beside her pushed her forward, knocking her to her knees. Mistress Janette. She said softly, gaining the attention of her sister. They came to rescue him. She added, looking up to her sister with a frown. Cara has been taken to Lord Rahl. He will decide what to do with her. He has instructed that I give her to you.

I will deal with her. You can go. Janette moved to the edge of the bed, staring down at the Confessor. Did you really think you would be able to take him from us? she said amused. Her eyes traveling her body, taking note of the child growing within her.

I will take him from you. Kahlan said calmly, keeping her eyes on Richard. He stared at her, she could see the struggle within him and it gave her hope.

I will not leave Mistress Janette. He said coldly, now staring at his wife in a way that made her want to cry. He looked down, tilting his head at the sight of her growing belly; he looked back to the Mord'Sith, still sitting on the bed comfortably.

If she does not behave, remove it from her stomach.

Kahlan s hands immediately covered her stomach, trying to give it what little protection she could. No! You don t have to listen to her Richard. You don t have to murder our child. Tears fell smoothly down her cheeks as she cried.

The Mord'Sith jumped from the bed at her words, not caring to dress as she walked towards her. This is Richard s child? She nodded slowly, keeping her eyes on Richard, hoping he would come back to her once he realized. Take her to the dungeon. She will be your toy for the day. You have earned it. He smiled with pride as he stepped towards his prize. His eyes filled with a lust that scared her. Be sure to be rough. Like I have taught you, but do not harm the child.

Yes, Mistress Janette. He smiled as he roughly grabbed Kahlan, turned her around and pushed her out of the room.

She pushed her feet hard against the ground, trying to stop him from pushing her any father. "Richard-"

"Don't do that." he growled, pushing on her harder, forcing her feet to slide against the floor. "You are mine for the day."

"I'm yours for the rest of my life." she whispered, as she stopped fighting him. She heard him give a confused moan before loosening his hold on her.

He pushed her roughly through the door, shoving her to the ground. She didn't get up. Looking up at him, she focused on her breathing, wondering if Cara was alright. Their eyes met and she saw it. The man she loved was still there, if only hiding in the back of his mind. She needed to get there. The way she was staring at him made him uneasy. She looked at him as though she saw through him, disappointed. He didn't understand why he cared. A part of him wanted to run to her and make love to her, the rest of him couldn't understand his want for her.

"Remove your clothes." he said softly, standing before her, making up his mind to take what he had earned. She stared up at him, her heart pounding in her chest as she nodded. Slowly, she reached up to her dress and began to unlace it, keeping her eyes on him.

"You don't have to do this."

"I want to." he whispered as he knelt down, gently pushing her dress from her shoulders, his eyes slowly moving over her body, slowly realizing what he was about to do.

"Give her to me. She is no longer your reward." Janette said as she came through the door. Richard sat beside her, naked, staring up at the Mord'Sith as Kahlan lifted herself from the cold stone. "Get dressed." Richard moved quickly, grabbing Kahlan's dress and pushing it into her hands as he stood and walked to Janette's side, waiting for his orders. Chain yourself to the wall.

He moved quickly, doing what he was asked as he watched them drag Kahlan out of the dungeon. He hated his prize being taken from him; he pulled at the chains, giving a loud growl, drawing their attention. Janette moved to him, quickly pulled her hand back and smacked it against him, slamming his head against the wall behind him.

You had your reward! she shouted before hitting him again. He could hear Kahlan call out his name, begging him to listen to her. She does not belong to you. She is mine. I have the pleasure of training your wife. You may not be broken yet, but when I am through with her, you will be.

The silence was deafening as he waited for them to return. His heart began to pound as time passed and the far sounds of screams traveled through the halls. Sitting up, he leaned back against the wall, his head falling forward, his chin resting on his chest. He sat there for hours, pulling on the chains, trying to break free. He felt the blood dripping down his wrists from the strain against the iron. Releasing a frustrated sigh, he fell back to the ground, his back sliding down the wall.

His mind struggled to understand his feelings. He was given a reward and he had done nothing with it. The look in her eyes as he pushed her back to the ground and moved over her made his heart ache. He cared for her. Images flashed through his mind from the moment he saw her. He couldn t make sense of them. He could not remember a time before Mistress Janette, but he knew the woman she gave to him. She knew him.

Closing his eyes, he begged his mind to reveal it s secretes to him, to tell him who the woman was to him. His heart pounded as he watched her walk towards him, a wide smile across her face. He was happy. The image fled his mind too quickly. He growled in frustration when he lost another and another.

Hours past and the frustration grew uncontrollably within him, rising until his heart pounded in anger. He jumped as the door opened, and she was pushed inside. She went with no protest and she didn t make a sound as she wiped the blood from her face. He watched her carefully. She avoided looking at him as the Mord'Sith entered the room and dragged her to the wall across from him.

He didn t understand why she didn t fight them as they roughly pushed her against the wall and chained her. He could see her tears sliding down her cheek, washing streaks of dirt from her face. Slowly, he stood up, drawing her attention. Meeting her eyes for a moment, he saw her fear. Pulling against the chains, he tried to get closer to her.

You! Don t move! He froze at her words, tearing his eyes from Kahlan and meeting hers. Do you know who this woman is? she asked softly, walking slowly towards him. He nodded slowly; he could see a small hopeful smile cross the other woman s eyes. Who is she?

She was my reward, Mistress Janette. He said softly, hoping it was the right answer.

Yes. That she was. She is also someone very important to you. Now she is important to me. Do you understand? He nodded, looking back to Kahlan. She is my reward for your training. She smiled as his gaze returned to hers, The child she carries. Your child, he looked to Kahlan again, his eyes focusing on her stomach, I m going to train your child to follow my master. She paused, waiting to see if she could get a response from him. Do you have a problem with that?

No, Mistress Janette. He said calmly. He forced his eyes to stay on the Mord'Sith as Kahlan let out a cry of sorrow at his words. They are yours."

"Yes they are." Janette looked back to Kahlan, keeping her body facing Richard as she spoke. "The man you love is gone and soon you will give birth to his child. Then you will be dead." Kahlan could hear the joy in the woman's voice and it made her skin crawl. She looked to Richard, hoping he was looking back to her. He wasn't. Her heart was racing, she closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down, but she could not stop the shaking of her body. "I have to honor of having dinner with Lord Rahl. You are to watch her. Make sure she does not die before I return. She was trained by me today. Do you understand Richard?"

He nodded slowly, looking to Kahlan, noticing the blood covering her face and neck. Lowering his gaze, he felt his heart pound at the sight of her dress. Janette walked to the wall he was chained to, and unlocked the metal. "Do not allow her to die." he nodded again, meeting his mistress's eyes. Moving towards her once more, Janette slammed her fist into Kahlan's face, sending her head backwards as blood flew through the air. "As long as you keep her alive, you may do whatever you wish with her."

He moved away from the wall, slowly towards Kahlan, as the Mord'Sith left them alone. Stopping before her, he reached out, gently touching the front of her dress. Carefully, he lifted it from her skin, stopping briefly when she released a soft cry of pain. He looked to her face, her eyes were shut and she was breathing heavily through her open mouth. Quickly, he ripped her dress, jerking her body towards him. The chains, held her to the wall as she lost some of her strength to stand.

"Richard," she mumbled softly as he pressed the cloth over one of the bleeding wounds. Her body pulled back from his. The pressure of his hand pressing against the wound, made her cry out once more. Her body was shaking uncontrollably as he tried to move her to the ground.

"Hold yourself up," he said softly, moving to the chain wrapped around her left arm. He pushed her back against the wall, trying to give her something to help her stand. "I will lower you to the ground."

She nodded, unable to find words as she screamed out in pain as he unchained her arm from the wall. The loud pop that came from her arm made him jump back. She collapsed to the ground, her right arm still chained above her. Reaching over, he pulled at the chains, attempting to pull it free as well. Grabbing his leg, she pressed her forehead against him, fighting back a scream. "Richard, we have to get out of here." she cried, tightening her hold on his leg. "They cannot take our child."

"My mistress will be upset if we leave. She has done well. We are her rewards."

"Richard please," she whispered as he knelt down before her, "come back." He stared at her, confused by her words. Reaching up, she cupped his face, holding him as he tried to pull away. "Richard,"

"No!" he shouted, pulling away from her. "Don't do that!" he closed his eyes as he backed away, running his fingers though his hair. "You keep doing that!"

"Doing what?" she whispered softly, keeping her eyes on him.

"You say that name. You say the name and make those images flood my mind!" he shouted, pressing his back against the wall he had been chained to before, trying to put as much distance between them as he could. "Don't do that! I cannot think of another in that way! Mistress Janette will be angry!"

"Don't fight this Richard. You're still there." she said softly, wishing she could move to him.

"AH!" he shouted at her words, pressing his hands over his ears. "Do not speak to me!"

She watched him, rock back and forth, mumbling softly to himself. The sight broke her heart.