Chapter 11
"For you to read this a convergence of dark and light has occurred, a contradiction, the impossible: a paradox. And it is because of that this tome is required, a paradox within itself."
- Prologue Doxie's Inviolable Exigency.
"Darken Rahl."
He gasped in surprise, squeezing his eyes shut at the sudden light and relative warmth surrounding him. Drawn out moans and piercing wails cut through his ears. The writhing of flesh tears at his own flesh. And yet he welcomes these sensations, realizes them for the phantom sensations they are. For none of the sensations truly exist in the Underworld except by the wishes of the Keeper. He had almost forgotten them in the complete nothingness that had become his existence, a torment that defied explanation. And one he had earned fully for his failures.
"Darken Rahl."
He gasped in surprise at the flicker of pain across his naked skin, quickly rolling to his knees, and bowing his head, hair hanging to conceal his view of what was around him, confused.
"Master?" His voice sounded raw, husky, unused. It matched his confusion. His punishment had felt like an eternity but he sensed he had but suffered only a small portion of his due.
"Who do you serve?"
"You, my Master." The well-known words came easily to his lips.
"Do you wish to serve me again?"
Desiring not to return to that torment of nothingness he answered honestly. "Of course, Master."
He was surprised to find himself once more adorned in his maroon and gold robes, though in the eerie light of the Underworld, the appeared washed out.
"Then rise, Darken Rahl. I have a duty for you to perform. Complete it and you shall once again serve as a vassal in my Dominion. Failure will mean the end of your existence."
"I understand, Master." Rahl said, bowing low to the darkness around him.
"No. You do not. But you will." Was the ominous reply.
"What do you wish of me, Master?"
"You must find Richard Rahl and the Mother Confessor, Kahlan Amnell."
"And bring their souls to you."
"No. Richard Rahl was already in my dominion, honored in his rest for his deeds. That rest has been disturbed by a Fleshweaver."
Mildly curious as to his brother's demise, Darken Rahl was more concerned about his departure from the Underworld. He frowned in consternation, remembering what little he could recall of Fleshweavers, an ancient name for a much reviled branch of necromancy. So named for their reputed ability to bring back men from the Underworld from mere fragments of bones and the cost of many spirits, they had been hunted to extermination. Or so Rahl was led to believe. "But Master, how is that possible. There hasn't been a Fleshweaver in millennia."
"There is one called Melantha. She works for my enemy."
Rahl was surprised at this. "Surely, the Creator would not enlist the aid of such a person."
"Not the Creator, but an older enemy. It is why I need you. You are connected to Richard Rahl by blood as he is connected to Kahlan Amnell through a similar bond. Only you possess the abilities to do this task before us."
"I will do as you require Master but who is this enemy?"
"It is called the Eternal."
"And this Fleshweaver, Melantha, is an agent of this Eternal?"
"She attempts to bring forth a Skinflayer, an avatar of the Eternal, through the one who can envision Its existence. Only a mind capable of accepting the possibility of the Eternal can accept the Eternal. Already she tears the Veil."
Darken Rahl was confused by the Keeper's words, puzzling over the meaning briefly before latching on to what he thought was most advantageous to his Master. He smiled slightly. "But if the veil tears, then you can be free to walk the land of the living."
"Perhaps, but not if the Eternal manifests. This above all is my concern."
"Of course, Master. What must I do?"
Darken Rahl watched as a large, leather bound tome with heavy iron latches and silvery geometric symbols appeared at his feet. On the spine he could see what appeared to be lettering, but did not recognize the language at first glance. Beside it lay a map case of similar material and design. He felt a wave of magic wash over him as he hefted the book and map case up, noting the previously indecipherable words morphed and changed, the title now clear to him: Doxy's Inviolable Exigency. He very nearly dropped the tome in surprise at possessing such a well known and powerful volume, thought lost for the ages during the Wizard Wars. He realized just how important this first task was.
"Seek out the Bone Woman, Adie. Deliver this book and map to the Mother Confessor and tell her this: the one who holds the Seeker's heart true can find the path to the Land of Endless Night and Day."
"Yes, Master. And what of Richard? What am I to do with him?"
"The bridge is fading but still strong enough to find him. Do so. And convince him to fight with all his determination against the Eternal."
"If the Eternal is as dangerous as he seems, then that task should be simple. Richard has the unfortunate belief in protecting all life," Darken Rahl noted not understanding why his Master seemed to think the task an arduous one.
"Richard is a divided spirit, he must remain so to prevent the Skinflayer's rise. Should the Eternal unite his warring halves, then we will have lost and be no more. It will be expecting you. It will be waiting for you. Be cautious or the Eternal will have you."
The gathered group silently watched the old sorceress adding ingredients to the small pot filled with a strange dark brown mixture, the incongruous scent of cinnamon and apples wafting from the contents. As she murmured incantations an occasional flare of light or wisp of strange colored smoke arose before she finally dipped an oddly shaped ivory colored cup with symbols around the sides into the concoction. Turning to them she gestured with her free hand toward Zedd.
With a quick glance to Kahlan, he stepped forward as Adie drank down the entire foul looking brew.
"The bone," she demanded as she dropped the cup into the fire. The flames flared a brilliant mix of white and blue, orange sparks casting upwards into the night sky.
Zedd quickly placed the bone tooth into her waiting hands, which she quickly grasped, pressed lightly between her palms as she began to chant. Her voice grew louder and louder by the moment, the woods around them turning forbiddingly silent as a strange moan seemed to fill the air.
"What's she doing?" Kahlan whispered.
"Calling upon the dead to assist us," Zedd replied with an equally quiet voice.
Adie's sudden cry drew their attention back to the old woman as she started to fall to her knees. Zedd reached her in time preventing her from falling face first into the fire. After a moment, Adie stopped trembling, slowly opening her sightless eyes before shoving the bone back into Zedd's hand as if it scalded her.
"Are you all right?" Zedd asked
"No, I'm not. None of us are," Adie said, rising to her feet and looking pointedly at the fire. A sudden roaring to life of the flames now cast a green pall over those gathered as a form took shape there.
Zedd stepped forward, hand poised to unleash his magic if needed against a possible foe.
"There's no need for that, Wizard," Darken Rahl said, looking somewhat amused. "I'm not here to harm you, any of you. I bring a message from the Keeper."
"Darken Rahl, the situation must be dire if the Keeper sent you," Cara sneered earning an amused smirk in return from her former master.
"Charming as always, Cara," Rahl replied.
"What do you want?" Kahlan demanded cutting off any further reply the Mord-Sith may have had.
"Ah, Kahlan. Lovely to see you as always," Rahl smiled smoothly. "It seems we have mutual interests."
"And what interests might those be?"
"Well, my brother, for one." Rahl replied. "The Keeper is greatly displeased that someone dare steal a soul from his dominion, particularly such an important soul, one that holds such a place of honor. The Creator more so that one of Her champions has been torn from his reward."
"What is it you want?"
"To provide you with the means of finding Richard."
"And why would you want that?"
"So that the one who did this would be sent to enjoy the Keeper's hospitality for their crimes," Rahl smiled cruelly. "The magic they use is dangerous to all. It must not be allowed to continue."
"So, you, plan to assist us," Cara asked skeptically.
"Precisely," Rahl replied waving his hand before them. A heavy, ornate book appeared before them alongside what appeared to be a map case. Zedd kneeled down to study the book's cover and spine.
"The Keeper said these tools would assist you in your quest to find Richard Rahl and in doing so destroy the Fleshweaver."
"A book and map will do this how?" Kahlan asked.
"This is no ordinary book," Zedd whispered, clearly amazed. "This is Doxy's Inviolable Exigency. It's been lost for centuries."
"Indeed. My master indicated you would need the knowledge in the book to defeat the enemy this Fleshweaver brings forth."
Zedd's eyes flicked up to Rahl. "Yes, the Skinflayer. It would seem an easy enough task to complete."
"Not this time. The Keeper was quite clear that this Skinflayer is a vessel for something powerful, something trying to manifest into both the realms of life and death. Were it to do so would be disastrous for al," Rahl said earnestly.
"Something?" Kahlan asked.
"I don't know its name. All I know is the Keeper called it the Eternal." Rahl's blue eyes glittered dangerously as he turned them on Zedd. "As one wizard to another, let me make this clear to you: the old accords mentioned in the book must be completed no matter the cost. The Fleshweaver must die. The book will provide the necessary answers as to how this can be achieved."
"I'm very well aware of my duties as First Wizard," Zedd voiced turned gravelly before turning to open the map case and withdrew its contents. Unrolling the scroll of paper he scanned over the contents. After a moment he frowned. "What sort of map is this? I see it clearly shows the known territories but I see no markers."
"Only the one who holds the Seeker's heart true can find the path to the Land of Eternal Night and Day," Rahl said. "Only such a person can use the map to find Richard Rahl. Obviously you can see the landmarks since he is your family, your blood, but you do not hold his heart."
"Let me see it," Kahlan said quietly, holding out her hands. Zedd carefully passed it over to her. She frowned slightly as she looked at the map for a moment, before blinking her eyes rapidly to dispel the sudden moisture pooling there.
"I see a floating marker, the symbols that were marked on Richard's pendant, above a glowing point," she said, her voice shaky. "It's far, far away from here to the north, beyond the Rang'Shada Mountains." She peered closer as words started to glow slightly. "The Barren Wastes."
"The Land of Eternal Night and Day," Rahl confirmed. "That is precisely his location."
"And how do you know this without the map?" Zedd asked suspiciously.
"Among the living, blood calls to blood. For the dead, spirits to spirits. I've tried to reach him," Rahl shrugged. "But the link is failing the longer Richard is away from the spirit realm. I will not be able to find him once the first dawn of the midnight sun arrives."
Zedd frowned at Rahl's words. "Kahlan, where do you see him on the map?"
After noting the area she pointed out to him paused, Zedd looked skyward for a moment before nodding once. "That's approximately the first month after the spring equinox. That's not much time."
"That is seven months from now," Cara noted, glancing over Kahlan's shoulder to peer at map. "With such great distance, we may not be able to make such a journey."
Zedd quirked an eyebrow up in curiosity at Cara apparently being able to at least see some of the map. The Mord-Sith merely gave him a glowering look before shrugging.
"Zedd, we should go. Now!" Kahlan quickly rolled the map up.
"Wait, Kahlan, wait."
"No! We have to get to Richard!" He caught her in mid-turn.
"And we will," he assured her. "But the journey will be long. We must be properly prepared."
Seeing Kahlan's worry and impatience getting the better of her, Zedd grasped her shoulders gently and pulled her close and very carefully spoke to her. "Kahlan, we will find him. Rushing off unprepared and unaware may cause more harm than good. Seven months is plenty of time. We've covered much more ground than that in shorter time in our journeys together."
Reigning herself in, Kahlan took a deep calming breath. "You're right, of course."
Turning back to the fire Rahl had appeared in, neither were much surprised to see his apparition gone the last lingering tongues of green fire flickering out. "But we should return to Aydindril as soon as possible to get our mission underway." Kahlan stated resolutely, earning nods of agreement from all.
Adie stepped forward with a slight smile on her face. "I know someone from the Northland. It be years ago I met them and they may not still be alive, but I remember their name: Svenal Orken. He had a son, Bale. He said he was a Daruman, people who live and sail the icy sea on the far side of the Rang'Shada Mountains at their fishing village: Taalsrung. If you be able to find them, perhaps they can help."
"Thank you, Adie," Kahlan grasped the old woman's hand giving them a gentle squeeze.
"No, I be thanking you," Adie's small smile grew larger. "The bones be pleased you will bring them rest."
As the last screams of the woman echoed away into the night, the creature huffed in frustration, leaping from the rent remains of its victim eagerly looking for the others who had been with her. It was disappointed to see the misshapen forms of the wolves snapping at one another, blood smeared across muzzles and bony protuberances. At It's hiss their glowing eyes turned toward it, growling in response. It was time to continue their journey back to their master.
The creature reached over It's shoulder sharp nails gently tapping the weapon strapped firmly there to assure it remained undamaged. It knew It's master would be displeased if anything happened to it, such displeasure ended it extinction, no more hunting or tormenting the vile things that cursed this world.
The wind rushed through the limbs of the trees above them, carrying a scent, just a hint of something. The creature hunched down growling as the wolves sniffed the air. Danger lurked out there in the dark, yet it could not see it despite it excellent vision. It reasoned that it might have been what the creatures of this world called a gar. So far gars had proven to be particularly dangerous to its kind though it knew not how. All it did know was it could not kill a gar even with the barren wolves assistance. The gars had proven ruthlessly efficient killers of all creatures.
What lurked out there was no gar. It was certain of that.
With matched growls the wolves tore off into the wood in the direction the scent had originated. It peered intently through the gloom, barely able to make out the shapes of the wolves. It startled as a large figure seemed to appear out of the mist, the painful howls of the wolves piercing the air in the seconds they were torn asunder, the stench of the internal organs filling the air even at this distance as the viscera spilled onto the ground.
It trembled, fear seeping into its thoughts. It had never feared anything before, save failing its Master. Now it feared the form approaching it: a massive wolf that seemed to glow in the moonlight, with eyes of brown and blue. In a flash of clarity it suddenly knew what it faced.
It was one of the hunters, the eaters of the flesh.
It flashed its teeth at the wolf as it came stalking closer, patiently treading over the roots and rocks as if floating on air, ever graceful. It knew it had to flee. It turned and ran as fast as it could.
It made no more than ten strides when the wolf's massive jaws sunk sharp teeth into it and shook it head furiously, tearing, rending. It soon knew no more, Its existed ended to the sound of tearing flesh and snapping bones and a lone unearthly screech.
The wolf stopped its attack once the ghoul had been torn apart, limbs scattered about the forest floor, and foul smelling blood and entrails cast about upon leaves, brush, and smeared on trees. She raised her head sniffing the air delicately before deciding no more dangers were present. Satisfied, she sniffed the torso of the ghoul briefly before grasping at the leather strap there and began gnawing on it.
It took some time but eventually the wolf's sharp teeth cut through the leather band. Carefully getting a firm grip on the leather, the wolf began to tug with all its might, occasionally shaking its head to dislodge the putrid corpse off its intended goal. Eventually, the wolf was successful and paused to rest briefly as she stared at the sword's scabbard gleaming dully in the moonlight.
Pleased, it let out a howl of victory, long and loud.
Looking northward into the forest, the wolf knew she had a long journey. She reached down and tried to grasp the sword with her teeth, taking several tries before it was finally getting the weapon firmly seated in her mouth, like carrying a favored bone. Once set, the wolf took off in an incredible burst of speed, quickly leaving behind the site of the battle and its gruesome slaughter.
