Forgot to mention in the last chapter, I will be scattering quotes from songs that go along to Cara relationship life. Also in a few other places throughout the story.

-I love Cara

Also, hope you all like the surprise.

"Zedd?" Kahlan rose her voice a little, also looking through the shelves. Ever since they arrived in Aydindril the previous night the Old Wizard had been scouring through the books kept below the palace. She hadn't been lieing to Richard earlier that morning; She was working fervently since departing from their bedchambers, needing to track down a few certain people, even threat a few of them…

"Zedd?" She repeated a louder, looking down another aisle of books.

"Yes, Kahlan, what's the matter?" Kahlan sighed in relief, turning to see her old friend, old being in the literal term.

"Nothing is wrong, Zedd," Kahlan assured him, slightly wondering if she had sounded distressed in order to make him presume something bad had happened. "But I need you to do something."


Cara set down her bow, leaning it against her quiver. She then turned towards the door to the weaponry hut and walked out into the dusk air, followed by Kroise. Most of the hunt had been silent after he had attempted to get through to her. Although, she could tell he was anxious to speak to her again, desperate to unlock her final door, finish what Richard, Kahlan, and Zedd started. It had almost felt upon request, yet soon became personally gratifying.

Entering the palace, Cara narrowed her eyes, hearing little noise throughout the halls, additionally, most of the torches were unlit.

"Odd," Kroise commented, walking up to her side when she came to a stop.

"We should begin with Lord Rahls' chambers." In Caras' case, it was far more of a command than suggestion.

Nodding, the Commander followed a little behind, allowing her to lead. But, as they were passing the large all-palace Dining room, a chime sounded. It sounded as though metal had clunked quietly against a pot or pan.

Swiftly turning to face the large open doors to the pitch black room, the first thought that ran through the Mord'Siths' mind was, Intruder. It seemed a very likely threat, and perhaps what was in there had also made all of the people disappear. Despite the late hour, it definitely wouldn't be this quiet. From what Cara assumed, they would all still be milling about.

But after two steps in the door, hands wielding her Agiels, light erupted within the room as the torches were lit. Caught by surprise, she barely registered what they had shouted, and the Mord'Sith went purely by instinct. Twisting to her left, an Agiel smacked against the nearest figures' torso. She stopped, hearing the mans' 'oof' as he was knocked to the ground. Nearby, an old mans' chuckles broke through the air. And Cara recognized the laugh, worse; She recognized the man once her sight fully focused.

"Lord Rahl?" She took a step to be at his side, Kahlan already crouching on the other.

After a few light coughs, Richard responded. "I recall telling you not to call me that." A moment later Kahlan had helped him up with a hand, though Richard was now laughing along with Zedd.

Kahlan was shaking her head, suppressing her laughter as she slowly let go of Richard. "Richard I did tell you not to stand so close to the door." He replied with a shrug, causing Kahlan to lightly huff. She then cast her gaze over the other gathered people, seeing even a few of them chuckling.

Cara allowed herself a brief glance, following Kahlans' gaze, focusing on a specific group of about seven slightly spaced from the others, dressed in red attire, each of them smirking. Though she focused on the one in front. Turning back towards Richard, Cara realized she had forgotten the sting going through both of her arms, twining in her chest, and she quickly put her Agiels within their leather confines. Seeing that her Lord Rahl wasn't hurt, she asked, "I presume Tonra told you?" Although they never notified others of their birthdays, the Mord'Sith kept them as records, only useful when providing the Sister with an honorable death.

"No." A new voice came from the crowd, and soon emerged an average-sized woman with long, wavy blonde and wearing a dull purple dress with a pink stripe down each sleeve. Her sweet smile held no hesitation beneath. "I did."

Cara inwardly sighed, her mouth temporarily open in her sarcastically amused way. After a moment she turned to face the woman. "Grace," She acknowledged with a small nod, noticing the full confidence in her sisters' matching green eyes. Grace no longer held fear towards her ferocious sister.

Grace smiled wider, stepping closer to her sister, matching her cold gaze with her own naturally welcoming one. "Happy birthday sister." Then she closed the next few inches between them and encased the red clad woman in an embrace, now slightly tentative. Cara did little in reply, but she kept herself from instinctively pulling away, reminding herself that it would disown her sister and Lord Rahl. But her gaze fixated on Tonra, narrowing her eyes to deadly slits.

Tonra only smirked in an entirely different way as before. Teasing, baiting, and worse of all knowing. Meaning she most likely intended to tell just about every Mord'Sith about this brief minute. Cara shot her and the others behind her a warning glare, clearly stating "A word is spoken of this, I slay you all with my bare hands." Just as well, her eyes mirrored with the fires of the Underworld. Tonra gave a small nod, suddenly alert, and the rest did the same.

They began walking up as her sister allowed her free of the captivation. Grace kept her smile despite her sisters' scowl, knowing Cara surely needed some form of affection. As the Mord'Sith approached them Grace took a small step back as though knowing Cara would keep harm from her, and the crowd was slowly diminishing as people went off around the room, obviously uncomfortable with the closeness to so many women in red leather.

"Your…?" Tonra prompted, stopping a few feet in front of Cara.

"Sister," Grace answered, her braveness against these woman surprising Kahlan and Richard, who had come to stand close by. Or it was due to Cara standing between her and the Mord'Sith. "Grace."

Tonra nodded. "Well, Mistress Cara, have you gone soft?"

"I still have my Agiels, Mistress Tonra. Sleep with an eyes open because I would love to smack that smirk off your lips." Cara stepped forward threateningly and she reminded them of her previous swear. "Next person to tease or hug me is being slayed and thrown in a fire."

At that moment Richard smirked and stepped forward, wrapping his arms around the surprised Mord'Siths' shoulders.

"Alright Mistress Cara, if you wish to follow through to your threat we will be happy to start the fire." Tonra licked her lips, easily holding back her laughter at the past few minutes.

"Shut it, Harlot," Cara ordered in a fiercer tone than usual.

"Relax Cara, they won't speak of it," Richard assured her as he finally pulled away, feeling a little bad for her. "If they do, just don't kill them."

"I never make stupid promises I will never keep," Cara told him with a smirk directed at the Mord'Sith in front of her. Richard rolled his eyes before slowly departing to speak with other attendants. Grace took the liberty to sneak off as well.

Kahlan then walked up, and amusement sparked in Caras' eyes when she noticed all the Mord'Sith wince or grimace besides her. That was surely an advantage, she had come close to Kahlan, even if she had and would push her away Kahlan would not harm her. Of course that meant Cara might have become soft, having become so trusted by a Confessor, but it could also be a strength, being able to tolerate the one she should hate the most. Now she had her most deadliest opponent on her side, even if Cara refused to let herself become close to any other.

To Caras' gratefulness, Kahlan refrained from giving her the same embrace, but only a small smile. Her beautiful blue gaze lingered on both Cara and the other Mord'Sith still standing so near. "Cara, it's a party; You're supposed to have fun." Cara huffed and rolled her eyes at the repeated invitation.

"Because the last party you planned went so well."

"Mother Confessor," Tonra said, forcing her gaze to meet the fatal womans'. "With all due respect, Mistress Cara is entirely right. The moment it started Lord Rahl already received a harsh blow."

Kahlan nodded in response. "I know, Tonra, but Cara deserves some celebration, the last time we celebrated we were trapped in a tomb with less than a days' worth of air."

Tonra narrowed her eyes in a slightly curious manner. "That must have been interesting."

"Then come, let me tell all of you about it." Kahlan set off to another part of the room almost too enthusiastically. After a moment of hesitation the Sisters of the Agiel followed.

Though one stopped before getting very far from Cara. Her gaze still on her sisters, the dark brunette said passively yet meaningfully, "Glad to have you back, Mistress Cara."

She nodded in return. "Certainly… interesting to be among Sisters again. Thank you, Mistress Ryeneil." Ryeneil nodded, before setting back off towards the rest of their Sisters.

"Happy birthday, My Dear." Cara almost jumped at the sound of her name from behind her. Turning, she found Kroise was not there anymore, instead replaced by the Wizard.

"You realize this is my first birthday in… fourteen, fifteen years." It was more of a statement than the rhetorical question.

"Yes, but you deserve a bout of happiness after everything you've done for my grandson and Kahlan." Zedd bit into the apple in his hand, no surprise he had gotten to the snacks.

"Wizard, when have you seen me happy?" He gave no reply. So Cara continued. "Fine then, I have a… birthday request; Tell me what you are so afraid to say at the fire three nights ago." Zedd hesitated, making Cara roll her eyes. "Either tell me every detail right now or I take you out of this palace and beat it out of you." She smirked as he finally nodded, opening his mouth to begin the tale.


"It was finally over. No air was left, and we were practically unconscious on that ground. But Richard came in time, and saved us both." Kahlan finished in a calm voice, pleased that she had been able to refrain from revealing Caras' revealed words. She wanted that kept to only them, and so, as her friend, Kahlan would keep it that way. Kahlan fully understood the Mord'Sith wished to remain feared, even if she was able to have her own life. Her entire life had been weaknesses against strength, perhaps the only way Cara could be (secretly) happy was if she could continue to live as she had grown to know.

"He told us about this thing that was possessing Zedd, a Nigax, that would wrap bandages around a host to do its' masters' bidding. He told Cara if the creature was close to death the bandages would unwind themselves. But, when we tried that they attached to the Ruler of that town. Richard managed to conceal the man in a tomb, though. So we continued our quest."

"Cara has always been a devoted Mord'Sith, especially loyal to the Lord Rahl. No wonder she attempted to save you. Lord Rahls' affections toward you are quite clear." Kahlan turned her gaze on the Mord'Sith who had spoken, a beautiful brunette she recently had come to know as Mistress Ryeneil. It took some effort, but Kahlan was able to keep herself from revealing their marriage decisions.

Another woman in red, dark-haired by the name of Jein huffed in a way that reminded her of Cara. "But it makes little sense that he would not be confessed if you two were to lay together."

That made Kahlan smile wider, remembering their several nights spent together, both after knowing of their situation and before when she had been without her powers. Each time felt special, as though she had been granted sacred fruit from the depths of a forbidden land. "We love each other," She said simply, causing each of the few Mord'Sith in front of her to become confused, or deep in thought.

Kahlan immediately became sorry for them. These woman had known no method of love, only a love for torment… and a forced love. They had been continually raped and defiled by that monster, forced into servants to his needs and not given the least bit regard of their own wishes. That… vile creature deserved all of the fires of the Underworld for eternity. No doubt Richard would be freeing them of that defilement forever, do whatever he saw fit to give them their lives back as he had their beloved friend. But if only she could tell how Cara would respond to whatever he had planned.

Hearing just the very end of their conversation, Richard came to Kahlans' side and pulled her face to his in a deep kiss. She was sure it hadn't happened, but Kahlan liked to imagine a few of the Mord'Sith had smiled with the display of true love.

"Lord Rahl," Tonra said as they all briefly dipped their heads in respect. To which Richard shook his head, pulling away from Kahlan though keeping an arm around her middle.

"Not close yet, but I am grateful for the protection when we travel to the Peoples Palace."

"Our honor," Tonra assured him. "We will die with honor if in doing so your life is saved."

"Well no one is dying if the Creator is watching for us. I sincerely hope no fight presents itself." Richard nodded in agreement to Kahlans' statement, before the two walked off, leaving the Mord'Sith to slowly mill around with little intention for anything momentarily. Perhaps annoy Cara again; She always put up a good fight, most often rendering many of them to their knees before any got a chance to best her, both verbally and physically. And perhaps the Wizard speaking to her would have something 'good' to say.

"Kahlan, are you alright?" Richard cautioned, bringing them to one of the empty tables and sitting beside her on the wooden bench.

Kahlan nodded, only Richard could see the haste of it. Her sighed, hating that she was lying to him. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him, again giving her a deep kiss. Once pulling away, he repeated, "Are you alright?" As she began to nod he added, "I truly hate it when you lie to me. I want to trust you and for you to trust me. Just tell me, let me help what's bothering you."

After a silent minute Kahlan gave in. "I hate it," She said in a clipped tone.

"What?" Richard asked. "The fact that I'm becoming Lord Rahl, your duty as Mother Confessor? Kahlan, do-do you hate that we are to be married?"

This time Kahlan pulled his lips against her own, fisting his shirt as she ran her tongue lightly along his bottom lip, leaving no possibility for doubt in the kiss. "Of course not Richard, never believe that I won't want to be with you in any way. Nothing will change that. But… you should have changed your mind."

"For what?" Richard became intensely worried. There was no possible occurrence or being that would make his love for her hesitate.

"Richard, I killed you. My hands brought a dagger directly through our heart. Why would you love me after that?"

"Why would I love you?" Richard repeated the question as though it was absurd, although to him it was far beyond absurd. "Would you like me to start writing the reasons in list or paragraph formation?"

Kahlan shook her head. "No, don't say that and assure me it's fine. What I did was horrible."

Quote from Kiss It All Better ; He Is We

"In his arms are the bleeding

Love of his life

And she cries

Kiss It All Better"

"It is fine," Richard told her. "It will be fine as long as you continue to love me. Even if you stopped loving me I would weep in your absence for eternity, even when I enter the Underworld. You love me, too Kahlan, as much as I love you. We created a new stone when I had mistakenly given it up."

"You were misguided by the Keeper," Kahlan countered.

Richard now forced a tight embrace around her shoulders, despite her attempts to make him stay away. "Nothing will possible take me away from you now. Not even death. If you die I will go into the Underworld and drag you back to me. You were Confessed and forced to do it. I know full well what being controlled makes you do. Nothing is your fault, nothing will make me stop loving you."

Quote from Kiss It All Better ; He Is We

"It's Not Your Fault Love

You didn't know

You didn't Know

He kisses her face

And Says

Everything

Will Be Alright"

"I suppose that's what this has all been about." Richard easily had his voice very soft, making it sound as though no one else was there. Only she was able to hear his words. "You have been running rapid the past few days and it has made me so worried. It seemed you never attempted to take a moment to relax."

"Doing so would allow me time to think about that. I needed some way to deal with it. But I couldn't, so I pushed it away. I am so sorry, Richard, but I am eternally grateful that I still have you. I'm grateful to Cara, as well. She has done too much for both of us, as well and Zedd. They both helped me have you, forever." Her hands managed to snake up his torso and again fist his shirt in tight hands. He gladly met her in the kiss.

A playful grin on her face, Kahlan said, "Perhaps we should head to sleep early tonight. We do have a long day tomorrow."

Richard laughed as she began laughing quietly. "Who said anything about sleep?"

"You'll practically fall off that Horse, then."

"Seems like a fair trade, hmm?" Richard pulled her into a kiss again before the two started for their chambers, neither envisioning a night with any sleep.