Katvrah- thanks for your review, I appreciate the constructive criticism. I understand how you may think Kahlan is not very brave, but the definition of bravery is action in the face of fear. Kahlan was not scared of the maid, she was just alarmed. She probably would've acted the same if she had Richard with her. So thanks for you're review, and I promise this chapter will be one of the better ones!


Chapter 7

Kahlan & Cara

The young Confessor paced about the large, empty room, fingering the silver ring on her right hand. Her eyebrows were scrunched together in such a manner that one could tell she was very worried about something. She was in her white Confessor's dress, the ends of the dress dirtied from walking outside with Cara. They had taken a walk early that morning, talking about their upcoming nuptials. The girls were ecstatic when Zedd agreed to marry them, and immediately began to decide on a day, where, and who to invite. Neither Cara nor Kahlan had any friends, but Cara wanted to invite her sister and her niece, along with her sister's husband if he wished to come. Kahlan obviously would invite her sister as well, she was eager to see her and her son. Kahlan was so excited for the events ahead of them, as well as being able to call Cara her wife. The young Confessor couldn't wait to start her life with Cara.

And yet, this Alliance meeting was troubling her. She didn't know why, but Kahlan felt this knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach, nervous about the council meeting. She just wished she didn't have to be a mediator for the endless conflicts of every nation in the Midlands, a source of solace and reason for every problem the people under her rule possessed. All Kahlan wanted was to run away with Cara, leave all of these problems to someone else. But she couldn't. As the last Confessor, besides her sister who was still dead as far as the council was concerned, Kahlan had duties to uphold. She was the protector of the Midlands, and she would keep her post until she died.

As these thoughts were running through Kahlan's head, Cara was lazily draped across the Mother Confessor's throne, watching the dark haired woman pace about. The Mord'Sith's alert green eyes followed Kahlan's every move, wondering what was going on in her head. The blonde, having enough of this, sighed heavily and crossed her arms over her chest.

"When will the Alliance members be here? We've been sitting here for an hour now," Cara complained, frowning at Kahlan. The Confessor turned to Cara with a huge grin on her face. Kahlan sat on Cara's lap and began to play with her beautiful golden locks.

"Soon. Don't you want to have some alone time, though?" Kahlan murmured, giving the Mord'Sith a quick kiss on the cheek. The blonde's cheeks immediately turned a bright red color, and she smiled sheepishly.

"Well, yes, but I want them to hurry up already. I have some… errands to run," Cara replied, getting antsy with Kahlan sitting on her. The Confessor gave Cara a kiss before jumping down off the throne, a mischievous smile on her face.

"I love you," Kahlan said, and Cara couldn't help but laugh.

"I love you too."

Kahlan bent down and slipped a slender finger into her left boot, obviously searching for something important. Curious, Cara sat up and leaned forward, eager to know what Kahlan had in her boot. Kahlan's expression brightened as she fished the coveted item out of her boot and into her closed palm. The dark haired woman snuck the fisted hand behind her back, moving closer to Cara.

"What's behind your back?" Cara asked, pointing to Kahlan like an accusing child. Kahlan just smiled, her blue eyes shining.

"Well, since we're getting married and all, I thought you should have a ring as well. So you know, no one steals you from me," Kahlan said and revealed a silver band in her palm. Cara let out a small gasp, admiring the craftsmanship. She took it from Kahlan, holding the piece of jewelry up to the light. The smooth silver ring shone in the afternoon sun, eliciting another grunt of approval from Cara.

"Do you want to wear it now?" Kahlan asked innocently, and Cara nodded vehemently.

"Of course!"

Kahlan laughed and went to stand next to Cara.

"Well go on, take off your glove," she said, waiting for Cara to respond.

To Kahlan's surprise, Cara shook her head.

"I want everyone to see it. I'll put it over my glove," Cara explained, and Kahlan smiled as she slid the ring onto the Mord'Sith's calloused hand. Cara held her hand up and turned it this way and that, as if when she held her hand a certain way the ring would disappear. After a while, Cara finally turned to Kahlan with a smile that spread from ear to ear.

"Thank you. This means a lot to me," Cara said, getting up to hug the thoughtful brunette.

To Kahlan's humor, Cara whispered in her ear,

"I can hear them coming."

"What are you talking about? Oh, hello Chancellor. Emperor Jagang, Lord Remus," Kahlan exclaimed, greeting guests as they entered the hall. As everyone began to take their seats before the Mother Confessor's throne, Cara went to go sit in the audience. Kahlan grasped her arm and spun her around, frowning playfully.

"You don't want to sit with me?" Kahlan whispered and Cara smiled. Together, the women sat at the front of the room, Cara in a slightly less tall seat than Kahlan.

"Welcome everyone, this is an official meeting of the Alliance. All those in this room are either a part of the Alliance, or in the process of becoming a part of our union. All of you have sworn to only speak the truth here, and if you don't, I will know," Kahlan began, and Cara let out a snort, thinking it was supposed to be funny. When no one else laughed, she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, her ring hand out.

"This meeting has been called to order. Does anyone have news or reports to share?"

"If I may speak, Mother Confessor," said a tall gentleman with white hair combed back meticulously. He wore red robes with a familiar crest on them, and Kahlan could feel Cara tense up next to her.

"Go ahead, Koloblicin Dagra," Kahlan said, and Cara pulled on her sleeve.

"He's the new D'Haran leader?" she hissed, and Kahlan nodded slightly but she had to keep eye contact with the Koloclicin and pretend like she was listening.

"What type of government do they have?"

"They are allowed to vote, but the Koloclicin can veto any insane laws or suggestions. All his decisions have to be passed by me for the first six months, and then he is on his own for the next six. Then after twelve months a new Koloclicin is chosen, and I have to monitor him for six months," Kahlan explained in a hushed voice as she nodded to the Koloclicin, who was still speaking.

"And so with your permission, Mother Confessor, I would like to construct a justice building for the Koloclicin to rule from," the white haired man finished, sitting back down.

"An excellent idea, Koloclicin. You may hire as many D'Hara workers as you like to complete this project. One of my advisors will work out a budget with you, as D'Hara is still in debt to a few nations," Kahlan said, but the Koloclicin stood back up with a worried look on his face.

"But Mother Confessor, I was hoping I could use slaves. We wouldn't have to pay them and-"

"I already told you, Koloclicin Dagra, that all slaves in D'Hara were to be given a small amount of gold and could go their own way. No discussion, next issue," Kahlan dismissed, and Dagra had no choice but to sit down.

The meeting went on smoothly, and Kahlan did not have to embarrass any other Alliance members, much to Cara's dismay. Judging from her body language, Cara could tell that the young Mother Confessor was tired of this meeting.

"Thank you, Chancellor. Thank you all for your input, this meeting is—"

"One moment, Mother Confessor," blurted out a short woman with a floppy purple hat. With a quiet sigh that only Cara heard, Kahlan reluctantly turned to the council member.

"Yes?" Kahlan said, hoping that this woman would get on with it already.

"What is that on your hand?" the plump woman inquired, and then pointed to Kahlan's right hand. The Alliance members also turned their attention to the young Confessor, who crossed her leg over her knee non-chalantly.

"What ever do you mean, Chairman Priscilla?" Kahlan said in a calm manner, waving her left hand in the air.

"You have a ring on your right hand. Is it not customary for a bride to be to wear her ring on the right hand?"

Murmurs and hissing whispers spread through the room like wildfire, and Cara sat up a little straighter. Kahlan sat up too, her face void of emotion.

"I congratulate you, Chairman, for stating the obvious. The reasons for my wearing a ring are none of your concern." Kahlan said with a superior tone. Even after Kahlan tried to dismiss the subject, the councilmember barreled on ahead. Now, Cara stepped in, sending strong words to the Chairman.

"The Mother Confessor's affairs are not your issues. Leave her alone," Cara said bluntly, crossing her arms. The Chairman's gaze moved from Kahlan now to Cara's hand.

"The Mother Confessor's affairs, you say? My, Mistress Cara, you do have an ironic way with words," Priscilla said with a condescending tone. "May I ask where you got that ring?"

Cara glared at the Chairman with her green gaze, hand on her Agiel, but Kahlan was frozen to her seat. She didn't know what to do. It wasn't like she didn't want to flaunt the fact that she and Cara were to be married, but the council wouldn't approve. Being the last Confessor, one of Kahlan's duties was continue the line. Usually, Confessors did not marry out of love, but out of necessity. She and Cara obviously could not have a child together, so the council was only interested in Kahlan mating with a man.

Kahlan looked back to Cara, still at a loss for words. The young Confessor took in a deep breath, pulled herself up out of her ancient throne, and stood tall before the council.

"I gave it to her."