Two days later, they had camped for the night. They had made good time and Cara managed to keep the Mord-Sith and Nicci under control. However, she had said hardly anything to Dahlia. Initially Dahlia thought that Cara would come around. Zedd had told Dahlia that he was sure that what Cara had said to her was just Cara's way of protecting Dahlia from Alina and the other Mord-Sith. Dahlia had hoped that this was true. Even after they had rescued Cara, Dahlia tried to believe that Cara's continuing attitude was just the aftermath of her being tortured but by now she had given up. If Cara wanted to be this way then so be it. Dahlia was done crying about Cara. She had demonstrated her fighting capabilities to Zedd and she was sure that when they reached Aydindril, Zedd would be able to find her a position where she could employ her skills.

Cara had taken first watch. She felt a special concern about overseeing the Mord-Sith since she knew that Zedd could do nothing to control them. She was also concerned about Nicci and was still mad that Zedd wouldn't let her kill her. Then there was the dream. One of the few advantages of being tortured was that it stopped her from having the dream but last night it had returned. Cara was not looking forward to sleeping tonight.

Cara heard a sound behind her and whirled around with her Agiels drawn. However, it was only Zedd.

"Good evening, Cara."

"Zedd, what are you doing up?"

"I think we need to have a little talk."

"OK, walk with me as I stand watch."

"Cara, what's going on between you and Dahlia?"

"Nothing," Cara said defensively.

"Exactly the problem," Zedd said. "I would have thought you would have been proud of her, saving both of us from Darken Rahl and the Mord-Sith."

"She did do well, but the fact that we needed rescuing at all is the problem. I've grown soft and weak traveling with you. The trip to Stowecroft only made it worse. That is the only way that Darken Rahl's trap could have succeeded. A year ago I would have never fallen for it."

"No a year ago you would have been leading the Mord-Sith against us. Cara, what you are talking about is not a weakness, it is a strength. You have chosen to fight for Richard instead of Darken Rahl. For good instead of evil. And now you showed a mother's concern for her child. If that's not what we are fighting for then I don't know what. Besides that doesn't explain why you are taking this out on Dahlia."

"She's another weakness. Another person to be concerned about."

"When Richard and Kahlan show concern for each other, are they showing weakness?"

Cara hesitated and then said, "No, but they're different, they're special."

"Yes they are special. But in your own way, Dahlia's and your love is special too."

"Who said anything about love?" Cara said defensively.

Zedd smiled a little, "I may be an old man but I'm not so old as to not remember what two people in love look like. Besides I know that you and Dahlia are destined to be together, you need to trust me on this."

Here again was another one of those strange things that Zedd had been saying ever since the Plains of Gilgalar. Cara was going to press Zedd on why he seemed so certain about their relationship but then Dahlia woke up suddenly, and sat up, breathing heavily. Cara went over to Dahlia. "Are you OK?"

"What do you care?"

Cara had to admit that she had that coming, "I may not be very good at showing it but I do care." She sat down next to Dahlia, "Please, tell me what has upset you."

"It was just a dream, no big deal."

"A dream?" Cara said concerned, "Tell me more."

"I killed you, OK."

"Well the way I've acted the last few days, it's no wonder."

"No you don't understand, it wasn't really me and it wasn't really you. I was a Mord-Sith. I was in command of other Mord-Sith and at my signal they fired arrows and killed you."

"Why were Mord-Sith attacking other Mord-Sith?"

"That's the thing, you weren't a Mord-Sith. You were a schoolteacher and a widow with two kids. You lived on this little farm and you even wore this silly pink dress."

"A schoolteacher and a widow? It's a good thing that you killed me."

"Don't make light of it," Dahlia said seriously. "I was so satisfied when the arrows hit you and I saw you spasm and die. I don't know how I could be so cold."

"I do," Cara said seriously, "That is the way a Mord-Sith is. I told you that if Kahlan had executed me at Stowecroft, it would have been nothing but what I deserved."

"But you're not that way now."

Cara hesitated and then said, "No, I'm not that way now." She looked at Zedd expecting him to have another one of his self-satisfied looks at having effected Cara's and Dahlia's reconciliation but she instead she saw the he was seriously concerned. Cara had an idea and said, "Dahlia, I've been having a strange dream as well. Let me tell it to you." While Cara recounted her story, she kept an eye on Zedd and saw that his concern only deepened.

Finally Cara got up and walked over to Zedd. "OK, you obviously know about our dreams, what is going on?"

"I didn't know you two were having these dreams until now. The ancient texts didn't mention that this could happen."

"It's not just the dreams," Dahlia said, having walked over to where Cara and Zedd were talking, "Zedd knew your son was dead before we went to the Mord-Sith temple. He even said that you were the one who had told him."

Cara looked sharply at Zedd, "This is magic, isn't it. What have you done?"

"Quite a lot but I'm not sure what I should tell you," Zedd said.

That's not all," Dahlia said, "When I was in the Mord-Sith temple, it was strangely familiar. It was like I had been there many times before."

"You've changed our lives, haven't you," Cara said.

"Yes," Zedd said wearily.

"Why us?" Cara said.

"As I said, you're both special in your own way."

"You mean I really was a Mord-Sith?" Dahlia said.

"Yes," Zedd said, "Trust me, you're much nicer now." Given what she remembered of her dream killing Cara, Dahlia had no doubt that this was true.

"Does that mean I really was a schoolteacher? Why don't I remember it?"

"Because I performed the spell twice, first on you and then on Dahlia. Apparently you only remember your previous life if I performed the spell directly on you."

"What now?" Cara asked.

"I don't know," Zedd said, "Why don't you let me think about it. For now let's get some rest." Zedd walked back to his blanket and lay down.

Cara and Dahlia gave each other resigned shrugs. It was obvious that they were not going to get anything more out of Zedd tonight even though they both had many more questions. Then Cara said, "Come walk with me while I stand watch."

"Sure." After they had walked a little bit, Dahlia added, "I don't know what is harder to believe, that I was a Mord-Sith or that you were a schoolteacher."

"I do, I always thought you would make a good Mord-Sith." They walked in silence for a little while but then Cara said, "Look, I want to apologize for the way I've been acting. I'm annoyed that I fell into Darken Rahl's trap and I blamed the fact that it was my concern for others that caused it. I thought if I cut myself off from others then I would not make the same mistake again."

"And now?"

"Well, with the help of Zedd, who seems to have been far more involved in our lives than anyone could have imagined, I realized that I have to learn to still be an effective fighter while…" Cara paused for a second, "…loving someone."

Dahlia looked at Cara wanting to believe her but not knowing if she should. Cara smiled, pulled Dahlia over to her and started kissing. Dahlia started kissing Cara back and for a moment it looked like they were on their way to having some passionate make-up sex. But then Dahlia pulled herself away from Cara.

"Wait, wait," Dahlia said.

"What?" Cara said in an annoyed tone.

"Zedd may be a sound sleeper but what about all of them," Dahlia said, pointing to the sleeping Nicci and the Mord-Sith.

Cara cursed and then said, "You're right." She looked off into the nearby woods but then cursed again, "I would suggest our moving away from the camp but I don't see how we can leave Zedd here alone with all of these Mord-Sith."

Now it was Dahlia's turn to curse, "No we can't, you're right." After a moment she added, "I guess we will just have to wait until we get to Aydindril."

"Wait!? But it will be two weeks before we get there."

Dahlia smiled a little at Cara's discomfort, "Well at least we will be able to cuddle."

"Cuddle!?"

"Yes cuddle. You could use the practice." After a moment Dahlia grinned and said, "Besides I think you have the sex part down pat. You just need to work on the before and after. For now I'll walk with you and you can hold my hand."

Cara shook her head a little but then reached out and took Dahlia's hand.