A/N: It has taken me a lot longer than usual to write this chapter. I was struggling with the plot so I hope that it works okay and you all enjoy it. As promised it's a bit more action-y.

Chapter four

Richard stood nervously outside the council chambers, waiting with Zedd for Kahlan to come out and announce the Council of Aydindril's verdict on their proposed marriage and mateship. He wrung his hands in front of himself, and then resumed pacing after stopping only for five minutes after Zedd had scolded him.

He stopped walking suddenly when he almost walked into Zedd, who placed his withered palms upon Richard's broad shoulders and said, "It'll be fine, Boy, stop worrying."

They both turned to face the archway as the double doors to the chamber swung open on their hinges, revealing a woman of stunning beauty in a long, flowing white dress, which was of great contrast to her dark hair cascading gently over her shoulders and down her back. The wooden doors shut behind her and a smile graced her face, eliciting an inaudible gasp from Richard. No matter how many times he saw Kahlan; he couldn't help but be astounded by her.

"Well?" Zedd asked, filling in for Richard who was incapable of speech once more.

"They said yes. They'll make the announcement this afternoon, and then preparations for the wedding will begin."

Now Richard couldn't believe that he would be able to call the woman in front of him his. To come home to her every night would seem like a dream. Kahlan almost skipped to stand before him, seeing the look of disbelief on his face and laughed as his hands reached for her, pulling her tightly against his warm chest. She sighed and closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck as his own wound around her waist.

Zedd smiled at the pair of them then announced he was leaving to visit the Wizard's Keep and would find Cara on the way.

"So we're getting married?"

"Yes," Kahlan laughed. "Are you excited?"

"Unbelievably so." Richard smiled warmly.

Just then the Council came out of their chambers, filing out one behind the other.

Richard manoeuvred himself away from Kahlan so as to look respectful, although she reached out to take his hand into hers. The various council members nodded at Richard and murmured greetings to Kahlan, congratulating them on their engagement.

Kahlan replied to each of them in turn, leaving Richard flabbergasted by how she managed to recall the names and lives of thirty council members.

As the last, Bryce Johnson walked away after turning to tell Kahlan that Julian had been requesting her presence all morning; Richard pulled her back to his chest and cradled her head.

Kahlan giggled, surprised at his actions. "Richard, I need to go. It's my duty as the Mother Confessor to see what Julian wants."

"Okay." Richard sighed and reluctantly relinquished her.

"You could come with me you know." She backed a few paces towards the winding staircase, and held out her hand which Richard wrapped warmly in his own as he followed her, letting her guide him as he did not know his way around the palace yet.

The sight of statues and portraits of the previous Mother Confessors had him sweating from the feeling of their eyes watching and judging him as though they were attempting to see if he was worthy of marrying Kahlan, the last Confessor. Kahlan led him past every portrait and up another flight of stairs before stopping outside a closed door. She turned the ornate gold handle and stepped inside, still holding onto Richard, calling out for Julian.

Richard frowned as no answer came. He pushed the door open farther and stood beside Kahlan in the doorway, not wanting to intrude upon Julian's privacy, but worrying about letting Kahlan into the room alone, when the man had proven himself capable of harming a woman.

"Kahlan, let me go first." She glanced at his eyes, shocked by the determination in them and nodded. She released his hand and he edged past her and into the room.

"Julian?" He called. There was still no answer. "You there, Julian?"

He stopped in the middle of the room, and slowly rotated, searching for a clue as to where the man was. His eyes roved over the empty, made bed. It didn't look as if it had been slept in. Confused, Richard continued his inspection. The window was securely locked. Julian's clothes were visible in the open wardrobe so he surmised that the missing man had not left Aydindril. Richard moved towards the ajar door of the bathing chamber, wondering if that's where Julian could be hiding.

He froze when he saw the man lying in the bath, his eyes closed as though he were sleeping or relaxing. Richard couldn't understand how Julian didn't hear them calling him, the water wasn't even running. He walked around the face him and his mouth fell open. Julian's body was slumped against the bath frame. The water had a slight cloudy red tinge, like blood. His skin was blistered as though he'd been touched by an agiel.

His face was a mask of pain.

Richard drew his sword, and glanced around the room, blood pumping with anger from the Sword of Truth.

Richard left, shutting the door tightly behind him and walked to Kahlan pushing her gently away from the door.

"Call your guards," he said, trying to control his emotions. Richard worried that whoever had killed Julian would want to hurt Kahlan too. He had no idea who had done it, in a way he didn't want to.

"What? Why, Richard? What's happened? Where's Julian?" She tried to move past him and enter Julian's room, but Richard's arm barred her way. She looked at him baffled by his reaction. He'd only been in the room for a few minutes.

"He's dead," Richard whispered. "Call your guards, Kahlan."

She walked to the top of the stairs and shouted down, "Guards!"

The mechanical sound of many pairs of boots coming down on the floor at once filled the air. Five men ran up the stairs towards them, swords drawn and surrounded Richard. His hands were pulled behind his back and tied together with thick rope. Kahlan was screaming orders at them, telling them to release him, but they did not listen. The sword was forced from his grasp and clattered to the floor. Richard was bundled down onto his knees, struggling with all his might to free himself.

He grunted as the butt of a sword collided violently with his head and he sank to the floor seeing black, with Kahlan arms on him and her scream echoing in his ears.

A/N: Did it work okay? Please review to tell me what you think and any suspicions you have.