Chapter 9

Drag Me Down With Dire News

'Don't ever do that to me!' she yelled, feeling her emotions flow freely within her body. She was staring at Ithinia with anger. The mage was too composed, too cool and too disinterested for her liking. The rage was growing, fueled by the woman's attitude. 'You have no clue what could've happened!'

'It's nearly dawn.' Ithinia cut in icily 'You wake me up. Then you yell at me. Get a grip.'

'Get. A. Grip?' she hissed in frustration 'Ithinia! You magicked me into sleep. I've had a…' she stuttered on the word 'a Bhaal nightmare. Not only that.' She added, somehow managing to calm herself down 'Ithinia, I was unprepared. I attacked Kahlan.'

'What?' the cool mask of Ithinia's face slipped. The mage was now alarmed 'What was she doing in your room?'

'I believe I was loud.' She scratched her cheek absentmindedly 'You know, the others know how to handle me. She didn't. She tried to wake me up. I tackled her.'

'What does she know?'

'What?' she raised a surprised eyebrow 'I could've harmed her, that's what's important!'

'I know. But still' the mage sighed heavily 'What does she know?'

'I don't think she knows anything.' She answered.

'We don't want to drag them into this.' She added, looking straight in the mage's eye.

A shadow passed on Ithinia's face. The ice queen melted and for a second, Ithinia the woman was looking at Laura.

'I'm so sorry.' She said in a broken whisper.

'Shush.' Laura lost her words. Her anger was already gone, all the hard, aggressive feelings dissipated leaving her weary and weak. 'I'll deal with it.'

'I know.' The mage mustered a calm expression. 'It's dawn.' She observed.

'Yes.' Laura nodded 'Ithinia' she hesitated 'I don't really know what happened there. I'm not too sure.'

'What do you mean?'

'Well… I can control It. I never lose…myself… when engaged in a regular fight. This – this was different. As if It has somehow grown stronger.' She found it amazingly difficult to voice her worries. She gripped the back of a nearby chair.

Ithinia was looking at her with an unreadable expression. The first light was beginning to enter the room, bathing the mage in white. She was beautiful. Her hair glowed icily. Laura felt her breath hitch. She smiled at her, lost for words.

'The world is tumbling down.' She said finally. 'I'll hold on, as long as I can. Only… do contact Imoen. I think something has gone terribly wrong.'

XXX

She was pacing, once again. Walking in circles, clenching her fists and muttering under her breath. The room seemed too small. The air was heavy and damp. She looked out of the window. The garden was green and well groomed. The city was stretching all around her, swallowing the horizon. She felt a strange itch, a need to be outside of its walls. And she needed her sister. She bit her lip hard, till she felt the taste of her blood. Few drops fell down her chin. She hissed at herself and left the room.

XXX

They met for a lunch. It was afternoon but the heat was still fierce. She looked at Kahlan. The woman was looking weary but neutral. Her companion, Cara, was clutching her dildos, which amazed her. Nope, they weren't dildos, they were called something else, she reminded herself and allowed a small smirk to appear on her lips. Coran was pale. He was hit, as they later learned, with a Stunning Symbol. The spell smashed him backwards and left him on doorstep of death. He smiled at her, nonetheless, but his expression was slightly worried. She looked at Ithinia, the mage was calm and composed. They all sat down. The silence was heavy. The serving woman wobbled inside, holding a huge vase. Her movements were awkward. She looked tense and apprehensive.

With a sudden growl that never left her body, she felt It stir. She felt another sensation: a wave of fear mixed with disgust. It was aimed at her. She searched for its source. It was the serving woman. Laura narrowed her eyes and focused. Yes, the woman was frightened by her.

'She knows what we are'

She nearly jumped out of her skin. She forced her body still. The disembodied, immensely cold and evil voice sounded familiar. She had already heard it. She had already spoken with its owner. He wore an armor. He was there, there… where?

She snapped out of her thoughts and realized both Kahlan and Ithinia were staring at her with concern. She mentally scolded herself.

'Is it really necessary for us to remain locked in here?' the woman, Cara, drawled with irritation 'You know' it was addressed to Ithinia 'I'm starting to wonder what our status is. And I don't like to be held captive.'

'You're not a prisoner.' The mage responded calmly. 'There are simply many unfriendly eyes set on us, that's all.'

'Well, I wouldn't mind closing those eyes…eternally.'

'It's not safe.' Laura added, looking at the mord sith 'I don't question your combat skills. Don't forget though that it's a foreign ground.'

'I'm sick of sitting here and doing nothing!' the woman retorted angrily.

'Guess what.' The snap was unexpected 'So am I.'

'It's time' Ithinia said absolutely out of blue 'to wake up your friends. They've healed.'

XXX

Laura watched Kahlan and Richard. They were positively beaming. He held her close and kissed her head. She clung to his chest with sheer desperation. The old man was laughing and slapping him on the shoulder. Even the mord sith was smiling. Suddenly Richard looked up and stared straight at Laura.

'You saved my life.' He said warmly 'Thank you.'

'Think nothing of it.' She said and nodded her head. It was time to leave them to each other. She felt like a voyeur, stealing into others' privacy. Ithinia must have thought the same thing, because she headed for the door.

'Oh' she turned back and looked at the men 'You must be starving. There's a kitchen down the hallway.' She pointed the direction 'The serving woman will be only too glad to help you with food.'

Laura left the room right behind her.

'You know' she closed the door 'I think I'll be going out.'

'Out where?'

'I don't know.' She sighed 'I need some movement.'

'Yesterday's fight wasn't sufficient?' the mage quirked her eyebrow.

'No, I'm just growing restless.'

'All right. Don't pull any stunts.'

XXX

Coran was happy to join her. Together, they left the mansion and walked around the Government District for some time. He was babbling like crazy. She paid nearly no attention to him, lost in her thoughts. Finally they sat down in a park. Laura couldn't recall its name. The trees were offering a poor shade. It was better than nothing, nonetheless. She watched the shadows play on the grass. It reminded her of forests and the way sunlight would pierce the cover of leaves. It was always a sign wonderful to behold.

'You know' she said, knowing this was beside the topic and completely random 'I think I'll go and see what's up in the Keep.'

'I'm coming with you.' He answered immediately. 'Let's just collect our gear.'

She smiled at him and nodded.

Side by side they returned to the mansion. It was already dusk and Valen was about to rise. The constant silence of this place unnerved Laura. She walked quietly down the hallway and into her room. Once again submerged in her own world, she nearly bumped against Richard and Kahlan.

'Oh, sorry.' She said mechanically.

'You're Laura, right.' He beamed at her as if she was his best friend.

'Yes.' She nodded slowly 'That's my name.'

'I really wanted to thank you for saving my life.' He said, his smile still etched on his features.

'I think we already discussed it.'

'Yes…' and then he seemed troubled.

She cocked her eyebrow.

'What is it?'

'Well' he bit his lip and looked sideways at Kahlan 'Can I talk to you in private for a moment?'

'Of course.'

XXX

'I nearly lost her… I never knew I was such a poor fighter.' He was obviously lost for words and embarrassed. He stood there, in the empty room, like a big kid, his face crestfallen and sad.

She sighed inwardly and looked him dead in the eye.

'No one said anything about your fighting skills.' She said cautiously 'Who did you fight back in your own world?'

'Mostly soldiers. Thugs. Banelings…' he looked rather lost.

'Right. This is Athkatla. You live by the sword here. Literally. Then men you fought here, were probably more experienced than any of your former adversaries.'

'What do you mean?'

'Richard.' She scratched her temple 'Look. Those men probably started their mugging career when they were thirteen. Or twelve. Or ten. They had years of practice. They knew their job really well, that's why they survived for so long. In the Slums, people die on daily basis. The thugs kill other thugs. People brawl, people duel and people steal. They get caught, they get killed. Easy. Only the fittest survive. Listen' she knew she had to make things clear. She felt a powerful need to set that man at rest.

Those men knew the rules of the game. You don't rob the merchants, for starters. They're too poor. Because those, who earn more, can hire thugs to guard them. So it's a no-go. So who do you mug? Commoners, passersby or peasants? Nope. You'll get only lies. You attack those, who wield weapons. Simple. The mercenaries, the thugs, the so-called adventurers. If you are lucky, they'll have money and weapons. Magical weaponry could be of great value. If you are truly lucky, someone will take the wrong shortcut wielding the Sword of Flames.' She pushed her hair back 'Richard, you were walking through the Slums at night, carrying your weapons and looking lost. A perfect opportunity for the thugs.'

'But why I-?'

'Because they are more experienced.' She cut in sharply. 'I saw you fight. You're strong. Your blows are powerful. But you're not cunning enough. It might be good enough for soldiers. It might be good for those Banelings of yours. But here, in Athkatla, it's the speed and the cunningness that only matter.'

'Meaning?'

'Meaning that it took them one swing of your sword to know your fighting technique. And to be able to play it to their advantage.'

'Any tips?' his face broke into a friendly grin.

'Yeah' she grinned back 'Work on your footwork and speed.'

XXX

They didn't leave for the Keep. A very unnerved Ithinia informed them that the Bhaalspawns of Tethyr had somehow managed to assemble an army. Saradush was teeming with refugees. The city was besieged.