So, it's a short chapter but I guess it's better than nothing at all. The next one's not written yet. The problem is, I know what I want to write, and I just don't know how to write it. It sucks.

Anyway, this is what I called 'trouble ahead'.

Leave me some reviews to read for when I come back from work !

The sun was high in the sky when Zeddicus and Thaddicus passed the city gates, two soldiers riding behind them. They went straight to the Palace. Kahlan had asked the First Wizard to come immediately once he was back. She had let him know that a big dinner would be waiting for him. That had been enough to convince Zedd to do as he was told. They parted ways with the soldiers and hurried to the Palace. Kahlan was talking with her sister in the hall when they came through the massive doors.

"Zedd ! You're back !"

"That I am, child, and I'm starving !" He said with a jovial smile.

They hugged briefly, and Zedd introduced his brother to Dennee.

"I'm going to ask the cook to prepare a feast ! You two should rest while it's getting ready and I'll send for you in an hour ! Where's Cara ?"

Zedd's smile faded at the mention of the Mord'Sith.

"She's not with us."

"What ? What do you mean she's not with you ? Where is she ?"

When he failed to respond, Kahlan took a step closer and forced him to look her in the eye.

"Where is Cara, Zedd ?"

"I don't know. She said she had to seek an old friend and she left. She didn't give any explanation; she just said that she'd join us here later."

"And you let her go ?" She asked incredulously.

"It's Cara, I didn't really have a choice !"

The brunette stopped her reprimands. Of course, he couldn't have prevented her from leaving. What was she thinking ? It was Cara. Besides, the two men she had sent after them weren't back with Zedd and that only meant one thing : they had followed Cara wherever she had chosen to go. Or they were dead, possibly. Especially if the Mord'Sith had found them. Kahlan sighed and put her hand on her forehead.

'Okay, let's just… eat."

That brought a smile on Zedd's lips.

Cara followed the trail of the two men all the way back to Aydindril. By the time the town was in sight she was fuming. Even travelling without stopping for two days had not permitted to catch up with them. They had taken off too soon in Agaden Reach for her to follow. They were probably already back within the city gates. Sighing, she resigned herself to find Kahlan and Zedd.

"Mother Confessor, two soldiers of the Home Guard are asking to see you."

Kahlan nodded at her advisor and the young man opened the doors for the soldiers to come in. She rose from her chair and stepped forward.

"Rise, my children," she said as they fell on one knee before her.

They got up immediately.

"Mother Confessor, we just came back from the Rang'Shada Moutains. The Mord'Sith went to Agaden Reach. It's a dangerous place, and we did not follow her all the way there. We're fairly certain that she went to see the sorceress Shota."

Kahlan stood still. What business Cara could possibly have with Shota ? They weren't exactly on good terms.

"Are you sure ? Agaden Reach ?"

"Yes, we are sure. We stopped at a safe distance from her and we made sure that she wouldn't see us, just like you asked."

"Thank you. You may go, now."

They bowed again and left the room. Kahlan sighed and sat back in her chair. She wondered for a good while what reason Cara would have to go to Shota. Finally, she gave up, knowing that she'd have to ask or she'd never know. She tried to focus on the papers in front of her that demanded her attention but she was only half aware of what she was reading. A soft knock on the door provided her with a much needed distraction. Her guards only allowed her closest friends to come in without being announced. This time, it was Zedd.

"Zedd, please, come in."

"Kahlan, are you alright ? We didn't see you at lunch today." He said while advancing toward her.

"I'm fine, I'm just… overwhelmed by work."

"It's not healthy to skip meals." He scolded gently.

She smiled at him and rubbed her eyes.

"Zedd… Are you sure Cara didn't say anything as to where she was going ?"

"I already told you all I know. She said she went to seek an old friend… Does she have friends ? I thought Mord'Sith didn't have any friends."

"Not that I know or heard of. My men told me they followed her into the Rang'Shada Moutains. She went into Agaden Reach."

"But… This is where Shota lives !"

"Yes, I know, and that's what I don't understand ! Why would Cara go there ?"

"I think you should ask me, Mother Confessor. That way, you'd be hearing the truth and not some foolish suggestions."

Both Kahlan and Zedd startled at the unexpected interruption. Cara was standing in the doorway, hands on her hips, and a dark look on her face. Her hair was in a mess and even from where she stood, Kahlan could see the sweat on her forehead. The Mord'Sith had been running. Probably after the soldiers, in hope to catch them before they could have the chance to report what they had seen.

"Cara…"

"I see I'm too late and that your guards have already talked to you."

"Cara, please…"

"Next time you want to spy on me, make sure Wizard Zorander here casts a spell on your men to hide them from another one's magic."

With that said, she bolted out the room. Kahlan shared a concerned look with Zedd and immediately ran after her friend.

"Wait, Cara !"

"Go back to your business, Confessor, I'm in no mood to talk to you right now."

Cara was walking rapidly down the hallway but Kahlan was even faster and caught her by the arm. Maids were glancing worriedly at them and scurried away when Cara looked at them menacingly. Kahlan pulled Cara into a nearby room and locked the door behind them. The Mord'Sith was fuming.

"I'm sorry." Kahlan said softly.

"For what ? Sending spies after me ? Is that how you show your friends that you trust them ?"

"I sent them to protect you ! I was worried about you because ever since Richard died you've been acting all strange and I thought that maybe you were going to do something stupid like getting into a fight and I didn't want anyone to hurt you !"

A short silence followed her declaration and then Cara spat :

"I don't need anyone's protection, let alone yours !"

She tried to walk past Kahlan but the brunette pushed her further back in the room.

"I hate you when you're being like this !"

"Like what ?"

"Like a stubborn, reckless, insensitive, selfish bitch !" She yelled.

Kahlan didn't see the slap coming but she sure as hell felt it. She stumbled backwards and if the door hadn't been closed behind her, she would've probably fallen down. Her head remained turned to the right for a few seconds before she finally regained enough of her senses to look back at Cara. The Mord'Sith hadn't moved an inch. Her face was expressionless but Kahlan knew that the blonde felt horrible for having just slapped her this hard. Cara had never deliberately hit Kahlan before. The only time they had fought each other had been to ensure the other's survival, and Kahlan had been the one to deliver the first blow.

"Move out of my way, or I'll move you. I'm serious."

Cara saw the tear rolling down on Kahlan's cheek and it took her all her willpower not to apologize and wipe it away. The Confessor straightened and said in a cold, detached tone :

"You're not leaving; I am throwing you out. If you intend to keep secrets from me, if you don't need anyone's protection then suit yourself. You're no longer welcomed in my palace. Get out."

"As you command, Mother Confessor."

As she watched the blonde storming off the room, Kahlan realized that she had never heard her title of Confessor said with so much disdain. Her left cheek still stung from the slap and she rubbed it slowly. She didn't know what hurt the most : that Cara had lost control of herself and hit her, or that she had just left the palace without trying to justify herself for her odd behavior.

Zedd found her ten minutes later, sitting on the floor, silent tears running down her cheeks.

Cara didn't stop walking until she was out of the city gates. She had been a fool to believe even for a second that things could actually go well for her there. Aydindril be damned; she didn't belong in a land of Confessors. What had just happened with Kahlan had been bound to happen sooner or later anyway. It was the right thing to do. Besides, she would not have to answer questions and Kahlan would never know that Richard had died to save her life. Now that they were safe and surrounded by guards, the Mother Confessor and the First Wizard did not need her help anymore. They were better off without her.

Cara's on her own ! And Darken Rahl's still out there...

OTH-FOQ