"They have made it clear, peace is not an option. If it is a war they wish, it is a war we will bring them and they will wish they had taken heed to our warning." Kahlan was breathing heavily, doing her best not to rip the paper in he hands, the letter their new enemy had sent in response to the attack on the Amnell-Rahl family. She could almost feel the spit on her face as she read each line and if Richard had not been standing at her side, she was fairly certain she would have exploded. "How dare they go against us! After everything we have provided, the aid we have sent! If they believe they are a better to rule this land, we shall take theirs from their cold grasps!"

The message had been made clear, the kidnapping of the young Confessor having been only a small part. The threat was high and covered the entire family, none being safe until it was taken care of. The Seeker remained calm, though his sword sat on his hip, whispering things he could do to the men who would come. They was comforting thoughts, helping with the sight of the Mother Confessor's anger.

"We will cut the heads off their men and drop them in their fields! If they come near our family, we will-" She stopped mid sentence, scaring the room with her silence, even more so the man closest, who watched her eyes go dark.

Richard caught her just as she started to fall, her body limp in his arms, but her heat pumping strong. Kristy was giving her mother another vision and he prayed that it would aid them.

"Take the Mother Confessor to her chambers, we will reconvene when she is at her strength. This must be resolved within the week," the Head of the Council spoke to the room. "I fear this will only become worse as the days past. Their men are already spotted in the outer parts of the city. If we cannot protect our people..."

"I will take Cara and a few men out at dusk, they will be found and held accountable." He lifted the brunette into his arms, watching her face to make sure she was alright as he began to carry her from the room. "Fine the Mord'Sith and send her to our room, we will leave once Kahlan is safe."

"You can see what she sees," Cara piped in as she leaned against the wall.

Richard was leaning over the Mother Confessor, making sure she was covered and kept warm. When she connected in visions with their daughter she seemed to grow cold, her fingers turning to ice.

"It's dangerous. If I- It takes so much out of her, if I jumped into her mind, I could cause more harm." Pulling back, he looked over to his friend and sighed. "It is tempting, but it can wait. Anything she sees, she will tell us."

"It could change everything we do out there."

Shaking his head, Richard reached to the hilt of his sword and let the anger seep into him slowly. "I will kill them for what they've done, for attacking my family. I wi not sit by when we have offered peace and they continue to move against us. I will keep them safe," he added as he closed his eyes. There were times when he would allow the magic within to combine with the sword, fueling it until he could see darkness and then retreated with complete control. "My family; our people will have no reason to fear. We will protect them."

With a single nod, the blonde straightened her back. "Yes, Lord Rahl."

"If we had killed him, there wouldn't be a problem," Cara stated as she followed Richard through the halls of the Confessor's Palace. "He's obviously lying, if anything had happened to her, someone would know. He is using your blind love for her-"

"He may be," he agreed, surprising the blonde. "It could very well be a trap, but if I did nothing and she - If I lost her because I dismissed it, I would... You know what could happen to me. Those men, each one knew the changes they stood to remain alive and if this last man has told me an ounce of truth, he will be taken care of. Kahlan can use him, the information we could gain could change everything." Coming to a stop at their bedroom door, Richard swallowed. "If anything has happened to her, you will kill that man and you will make it painful." Cara nodded, almost eagerly as she watched him enter the room.

Kahlan jumped as they entered, startled by the rapid movement. Pulling a cloth from her bloody nose, she turned and rushed to meet them in the center of the room.

"What's wrong?" She could see the panic on their faces, instantly making her fear the worst.

Shaking his head, he grabbed her right arm and pulled her close, his left coming to the side of her face to tilt her head. "What happened?" He scanned the room quickly in search of danger, but saw nothing.

"I don't know. I think the strength of Kristy's magic was stronger for a few minutes, it's alright now."

Taking the cloth from her hands, Richard sighed in relief. His mind had spun in so many directions he wasn't sure it would return to him. "Here, tilt your head up- Stop it," he said as she begun to chuckle at the expression on his face. "Mother Confessor, do you want my help or not?"

Had their blonde friend not been in the room, Kahlan would have demanded he remove their clothes to be sure it wasn't stained with blood, but she settled for a gentle smile. "Of course, thank you."

He studied her face as he brushed the cloth beneath her nose, ridding her upper lip from the fresh blood that had collected during their quick conversation. "Has anyone come to you?"

"Of course," she replied at once. "People come to me-"

"No, I don't mean the people... Has anyone tried to harm you?"

She seemed to think for a moment and he knew she was trying to debate with herself on telling him something. "There was one man, he arrived this morning, I do not know what he wished to do, but Kristy- She warned me not to meet with him. The guards have him in the guest hall with many others I have yet to see. I- After her warning, I wasn't feeling strong enough to help them. I was going to go back to them once the bleeding stopped."

"It might be a few minutes," he told her as he pulled back the now completely stained cloth to look at her nose. "It's bleeding heavily."

"It's nothing I can't handle."

"I know, but-"

"You still worry?" she questioned with a smile. "I know, but I promise, I'm alright."

"You should lie down, I-"

"You won't be joining me," she inferred as she turned and instantly walked to the bed. "What did you find in the outer cities?"

"Kahlan-"

"Richard brought one of the men back, he claimed to know information on the attacks on you." Cara was now standing beside him, pulling the cloth from his hands and tossing it to Kahlan to save some time. "He thinks if you confess him, you will have all the answers to save the world." Looking to her friend, she blinked. "Have I forgotten anything?"

"That's not-"

"She can soap up her nose and we could be done before dinner."

"Cara, no- Kahlan?"

Shaking her head, Cara crossed her arms. "You've put her to sleep, now we will never-"

"Go find the man she spoke of, it shouldn't be hard for you."

She was about to ask him what he would be doing when he began crawling onto the bed, answering her unspoken question. The Mord'Sith left without a word, closing the door behind her to give them some time alone.

Richard couldn't help the smile that held his lips as he laid down at her side. As the weeks passed and her stomach grew larger, he found her beauty to be more than breathtaking. The excitement was overwhelming and in the moments when they were able to pay down and just be, they were his favorites. He laid his hand on the swell of her belly, feeling the soft thump he loved so much, one he wished he had felt with Emma.

Before they had gone their separate ways, he used to watch her in the middle of the night. She would lay on her back, eyes closed and her hands slowly moving over her stomach. At the time, the way she would smile angered him, but now he understood. It was impossible not to feel joy at the movement, it was too beautiful. There were a few nights where Emma would crawl into her with them and lay her head on her mother's stomach, talking to her sister until she moved in response. This was the life and family he had always wanted.

"If there is a way to stop this war, I need your help to do it, Kristy. If there is anything I can do... I'm afraid of what this war will do to us, to me. If something happened to you, Emma or your mother, I don't think I could survive and I know that seems selfish, but it's the people I'm worried about. I'm certain you know of the darkness within me and I cannot set it free again. I know I have no right to ask this of you, you are not even born, but I'm afraid it is my only option to keep my family safe."

"She hasn't shown anything on the war in days," Kahlan whispered as she moved his hand to the side of her stomach just in time to feel a hard thump. "She's acknowledging you, do you feel that?"

He grinned, unable to do anything else even though he was receiving no answer. "She's active."

"Mmm, she likes it when you talk to her." She had yet to open her eyes, but she didn't need to see his face to see the grin. "Maybe you should tell her a story."

"What do you think she'd want to hear?"

With a soft chuckle, Kahlan looked over to him. "Anything you have to tell, she will enjoy."

"I'm not sure I can think of anything..." he whispered as he moved closer. Snaking his hand around her stomach, he pushed himself against her and began kissing the side of her neck.

Kahlan let out a soft moan that quickly turned into a small groan as she brought both of her hands to her stomach. "I don't think she likes it when we try to devour each other."

It wasn't the first time Kristy had put in a few extra hard kicks when her parents were in the middle of something like this. It was beginning to happen more frequently and Richard couldn't help but wonder if she sometimes sensed how uncomfortable her mother was.

"How does she think she was created?"

"Didn't you hear?" the Mother Confessor questioned with a grin. "There's a wizard roaming the cities, creating children for poor; unfortunate families."

Richard continued to kiss her, moving from her neck to her chest, just enough to cause her breath to double. "We should thank him."

Winding her fingers in his hair, she pushed against his mouth with a soft moan. "I plan to."

"Kahlan?" The Mother Confessor turned to her friend's voice, surprised to have her standing a few feet from her. "Richard has him in the dungeons, he's not being cooperative."

"He would give you answers."

"He's not going to let me beat them out of him."

Moving closer to the blonde, Kahlan frowned. "He will. He can't without losing control, but you... You can get the information." Giving her a brief smile, she held her hands over her stomach. "I'll speak with him, you will be in the cells before dinner."

"We don't know what the man will say," Cara said surprisingly soft. "Whatever I get him to reveal, it could be worse than he has imagined. If we get answers, the war will begin the moment the words leave his lips."

"Richard will not blindly rush into battle, not now, not when I am weeks away from giving birth. Cara, we- He will wait and plan this through."

"If he doesn't, we are all going to be dead before he leaves the city."

"He won't- It's not going to end that way."

"You had better be right."

"I am."

"You're not eating, daddy." Emma poked her fork into his potatoes, smoothing a hole that she quickly filled with the green vegetables that were once on her plate. "Are you alright?"

"I don't know," he replied honestly. It was something she could count on, no matter what she asked, he would tell her the truth. "I can't stop thinking."

"Mommy said she was fine, Kristy doesn't want to come out yet."

Richard couldn't help but smile at her words. They had come from their bedroom, making sure Kahlan was alright after a few sharp pains that came over her. Emma had grown excited, anticipating the arrival of her sister and she hadn't stopped questioning it since. "I think Kristy knows how safe she is right now."

"She'd be safe out here, too. We are. Can I eat cake instead?"

"Cake is for after your dinner," he told her with a smile. "Once you finish what's on your plate and these here on mine, you can have some cake."

"The green things taste funny. I don't like them."

With a soft chuckle, he leaned back in his chair. "Neither do I."

"Then why do you eat them?"

"Because they will keep me strong," he said as he shoved one into his mouth.

"Do they taste any better?"

"Sometimes. I think they're growing on me."

With a soft sigh, Emma reached back to his plate and pulled a single green leaf from his plate and slowly brought it to her mouth. "Alright, but if it kills me, I'm going to tell mommy."

Richard watched her carefully as she shoved the food into her mouth and chewed rapidly with her eyes closed. When she finished and swill owed, he began to laugh as she gasped for a breath and reached for her cup of water.

"You're still alive!"

Scrunching her face, she looked at him. "Barely."

"It's not that had, Emma. See?" He piled his own vegetables onto his fork and brought it to his mouth, chewing slowly to make his point. "It's not cake, but it's not dirt."

"Dirt would taste better," the young girl whispered. "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

His mind spun at once, wondering what she was going to say. Her tone told him it was important and the way she asked permission made it clear. "You can ask me anything, always."

Turning her body to face his completely, she blinked slowly until she took in a few breaths. "When Kristy is born... What if you like her more?"

Richard smiled, pulling her into his lap for a side hug. "That isn't possible. Emma, we are a family and there is no match for the love we have for each other. When another enters, our love doesn't fade from one to the other, it grows bigger."

"Like the fire when you put in more wood?"

"Exactly. Your mother and I will not love Kristy more than you."

Grinning, the small brunette hugged him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he whispered before kissing her cheek. "This doesn't mean you don't have to eat the green things, Emma."

"I know, but it didn't hurt to hope."

"It never hurts to hope."

"I don't like the smooshy ones."

Grinning, he picked up a few with her fork and handed it to her. "Swallow quickly, it helps."

"I don't think anything will help." Eating the food as quickly as possible, Emma shook her head and grabbed her father's cup of water to wash the taste away. "I don't know why mommy likes this."

"Maybe we will understand in time."

"I don't think so. She is the only one who enjoys them."

"I like these," he told her. Poking his own fork into a pile of long beans. "They're delicious."

Her nose scrunched instantly, even as she watched him eat. "It's not possible."

"You may change your mind, give it some time."

"Are you going to bring some to mommy?"

Nodding, Richard looked over the table of food. "Yes, but I'm not sure what to bring her."

"Cake! She likes cake!"

"But there's a beautiful pie, over there, too."

"I think she'd like the pie more, it's apple..." Her words trailed off as she looked to her father with sad sea. "Doris loves apple pie too."

"She will be back soon, I promise. She needs to go out and fly around, she's too big to be trapped in the palace all day. Maybe she has made some friends."

"But she's my friend..."

"She will always be your friend, even if she has gained others. You'll see, she will be back before you know it and you two will play just as before."

"I miss her."

"I know, but she'll return and you both can follow Cara until she goes mad." The little girl laughed, instinctively eating from the plate before making a face. "You're almost finished with them, a few more and cake awaits!"

Richard entered their bedroom, quietly carrying a tray of food for the woman he saw sitting in a rocking chair in front of one of the windows across from the bed.

"How are you feeling?"

Rubbing her hands over her belly, she smiled. "Fine, when I'm rocking. I think it comforts her."

Making his way to her, he sat the tray on the table at her side and then knelt down. "Maybe she knows it's nearly time for her to join us."

Meeting his eyes, she pulled his hand to the top of her stomach, letting him feel the hard thump. "She may be trying to fight her way out."

With a chuckle, Richard closed his eyes, focusing on the feeling and the warmth radiating off of her. "She is definitely going to be strong."

"Mmmhmm. She is a lot like you." Stretching her neck, she pulled his attention as she looked out of the window. "Has Doris returned?"

"No, Emma is starting to worry."

Kahlan sighed softly, relaxing in the chair once more. "I sent men out to look, but they haven't seen any signs of her. I thought maybe she had found a mate, but-"

"She would have returned by now," he said, finishing her sentence. "I'm worried too," he admitted. "If anything happens to her, Emma will be devastated."

"I know, and I cannot shake the thought that she was taken." She smiled for a moment as she looked at him, realizing how difficult it would be to take the large creature. "Losing her effects us all. Except Cara," she added with a chuckle.

"I thought she and Cara were going to become friends," he replied with a laugh of his own. "I think she is close to forgiving her for burning her leather."

Kahlan's laugh was loud and full, relaxing her body completely as she ran her hands over her stomach again. "I'm not sure Cara can forgive her for that, she had to wear some of my clothes for days." Licking her lips, she looked down at him, and grinned. "The leather really does fit her."

"I don't know, the green dress of yours... It looked nice on her."

"I agree, but it's not the Cara we know. I think she- She is happiest in the leather."

"Yes, she is."

"Do you think she's alright in the dungeon?"

"I do."

Taking in a deep breath, she straightened her back. "I'm afraid of what she will learn. If the war is to start soon, I- We both know what can come of it."

"Nothing is going to happen to our family, Kahlan. I will keep you all safe."

"Of that, I have no doubt," she commented with a grin. "I don't want our children to know that world. They can't be a part of that and see the darkness. Is it wrong to want to shield them from that kind of pain?"

"No," he said quickly. "You're right, but I'm not sure it's possible to keep them away from it. Emma knows it's out there, so does Kristy and she hasn't taken her first breath yet. We can't protect them from the horrors in the world, we can only hope to help them to know what to do when they meet it."

Bringing her hands to his cheeks, she leaned in close with a smile. "I can't imagine anyone being a greater father."

"A father is only as wonderful as the mother."

"Mmm, I can agree with that."

After a quick kiss, he stood and walked the few steps to the table where he had let the food. "You must be hungry." Carrying the tray of food to her, he sat down at her side and crossed his legs, using them as a table to hold it within her reach. "Emma saved you many vegetables."

"I have no doubt. She would rather eat mud than anything green."

"She did mention something like that."

"Thank you for bringing this to me."

"You're welcome," he beamed. "I brought a slice of pie as well. Emma seemed to think you would need it after eating the rabbit food."

Kahlan chuckled, swallowing a bite of lettuce with a slight cough. "Pie?"

"One of your favorites."

"Apple?" she asked with a wide smile. "It's not on the tray..."

"No," he agreed, watching her look over the tray sitting on his lap. "It's still on the table."

"Ah, saving it for after you tell me what's on your mind." Taking a slice of bread, she broke it in half and handed part of it to him. "You're not very good at hiding things, remember. You are far too good of a man to hold it in."

Richard took the soft food and pushed it into his mouth. He chewed slowly, avoiding her gaze as he tried to find the right words. "I'm angry," he admitted after a long pause. "I keep expecting you to wake up one night and know what we can do, but-"

"Me too. Every night since I first saw what she did, I... In that, I understand how you feel. I've awoken some nights to you asking her for help and I pray that she answers you, but nothing came."

"I can't protect you if I don't know what's coming."

Shaking her head, she gave h a small smile. "You are the only man who could without it. Sometimes I wonder if that's why she's keeping quiet. Maybe she's testing us or helping us to become greater... I don't know, but I'm sure she's not trying to lead us down a path we cannot come out of."

"No, but a map would be nice."

Kahlan laughed, her smile widening to reveal her perfect smile. "Yes, but there would be no adventure."

"If this war does begin-"

"We will strike hard," she interrupted with a deadly calm face. "They will not betray us again."

Cara was standing before the couple with her arms crossed over her chest. She had answers, many they had desired to find, but more in the area they had never thought to expect. Their enemy had a force within the city, hiding in sight until they were given the order to start the attack. The beginning of their plan having been told completely, due to the persuasion of the Mord'Sith.

"We can't attack if we don't know who they are," Kahlan whispered as she stepped closer to the others. They were alone in a spare and locked room, but she refused to take any chances. "Innocent people could die."

"Everyone will die if we do not attack now," the blonde countered.

"If we do not have a plan, we will all die." The women took their eyes from each other's to meet his as he took in a slow and deep breath. "You're both right," he added as he turned away from them both and walked to a window. He stared out at the people below, the people who wet on with their day as though nothing was wrong, when in truth, they could be moments away from the end. "There are many people we can trust out there, those we can use to help us keep the others safe. If we can bring as many of them as possible into safety, we will know who it is we are to attack." Looking back to the Mother Confessor, Richard straightened his back. "They will come for you first, but the attempt will not be their strongest. You will stay with Cara and I until this is over and it is not up for discussion. Doris has returned and she will keep Emma safe with Keegan, they will not be on the ground for this war." Kahlan wanted to protest, wanton to keep their daughter with them, but she knew he was right. There could be no safer place for the young Confessor than the back of a dragon in the sky. "We will need to find you something else to wear, anything that can help protect you."

Cara nodded as she took a step back, preparing to do as instructed. "There is a man in the city who will have the armor that will fit the fat-"

"Let's go," the brunette interrupted at once. "We do not have the time to waste on the size of my body." She spoke as she walked to the door, ignoring the annoyed sigh that came from the other woman.

"Kahlan," Richard piped sternly as she opened the door. She stopped instantly and turned around, almost afraid she had forgotten something important of his plan. "We need to send Emma off before we head into the city, we may not make it back to the palace." Walking to her side, he took hold of her left hand and squeezed, reassuring her of his words, "She will be safe with Doris."

"I know, but it doesn't keep me from worrying about her. She's just like you, Richard. I'm not sure we can keep her away from a fight, not when she wants to protect us as much as we do her."

He chuckled in spite of himself, the vision of his daughter fighting an army of men with a dragon spinning in his imagination. "We would be just as safe in her hands."

"She couldn't reach the enemy," Cara stated flatly. "She's far too small to cause any real damage. She should be nowhere near a battle."

Pulling her hand from Rchard's, Kahlan grabbed Cara's arm with a small smile at her attempt to disguise her desire to have their daughter safe. "You're right, she shouldn't be in battle."

The blonde pushed through the door without another word, the couple following closely as they made their way to the garden, where they were sure to find the young Confessor.

"She'll have a baby too!" Emma said joyfully as her parents came into view. "Doris found a mate, mommy! She's like a Confessor! Mom-"

"Emma, I need you to listen to me," Kahlan said as she knelt down before her. "You need to go with Doris, she will keep you safe. You both are to fly away, do you understand? No matter what happens, I need you to stay away from the city."

"Is it time for war?"

"I'm afraid that it is. I need you to promise me that you will not come until we tell you that it's safe."

"I can help, mommy. I have magic-"

"I know, but you cannot be apart of this. You have so much more you have to learn and I can't... Emma, we can't lose you."

Looking between her parents concerned faces, she slowly nodded. "Alright... We will- No Doris, mommy says we can't help. I promise, mommy." Jumping forward, she hugged the Mother Confessor tightly and whispered in her ear. "I can't lose you either."

"We will do everything we can to get back to you."

Richard lifted her into his arms, hugging her as she hurried her face in his neck. "I love you."

"I love you too, Emma."

The dragon was standing at their side, nudging her nose against Kahlan's arm until she turned toward her and petted the large snout. "You must protect her, Doris. She can't be here when it begins." The creature stared at her silently, watching her until the mother, at last, let out the tears she withheld. "Please take care of her."

Doris gave a softer than usual screech and flew into the air. Making a quick circle above them, she roared loudly for a few moments and then dropped down with two others. Richard pushed Kahlan behind him as they stared at the new creatures, each staring as though they were waiting to attack. They were larger than their pet, more than twice the size, but they remained still. Doris nudged the family forward, motioning to the others until realization flooded their minds.

"These must be her friends," Kahlan stated as she inched around the Seeker. The dragon that stood on the left, black and dark blue, with bright green eyes leaned forward and rested her head to the ground. The position was perfect for Kahlan to examine her, slowly running her hand over the scales of its face. "Hello... You're beautiful." The instant she stepped closer, the other, solid black with gold eyes, nudged her back and copied the others position. It waited patiently for her to touch its head as well, both seeming to take it as a sign of trust. "Hello to you, too."

"Doris says they'll go with you," Emma said as her father brought her feet back to the ground. "This one is a girl, too! Let's name her, Debbora! And that one... Oh." The small brunette stepped forward and studied the other dragon. "This is Doris'... She chose you. I'm going to call you, Ezechiel. Look, mommy, this is her mate."

Kahlan stepped beside her daughter and stroked Ezechiel's snout as her mind spun in circles. Her daughter shouldn't be this excited at the thought of the dragon being the same as them in taking a mate. "I'm sure they will be wonderful parents."

"We need to go," Richard voiced as he watched the two girls before him. "Emma, you and Doris need to go somewhere safe."

She crawled up instantly, moving carefully over the dragon's face until she was able to turn around and take hold by the neck. "Can we come back tonight?"

Meeting her eyes, the Seeker frowned. "I don't know."

"We will find you when it's safe," Kahlan said softly, looking up to the small girl. "Go, before it's too late."

"I love you, mommy."

She smiled for a brief moment, allowing herself to push the fear and pain from her mind. "I love you, too."

"Let's go, Doris..."

They watched them fly away, the couple finding the other's hand for a moment of comfort. Doris let out a loud roar, one the others on the ground reciprocated. A goodbye, assumed by those around.

"She will be safe up there, won't she?" Kahlan found herself asking as her breath flew away with their daughter.

"There is no safer place for her."

"She would be safe with us."

"Not today."

Blinking out a light set of tears, the Mother Confessor swallowed. "I don't like it."

"Neither do I," he admitted quietly. "We should get moving."

Releasing a heavy sigh, she turned to face him, at last pulling her eyes from the last place she had seen their daughter. "You're right." Looking to the dragons, she smiled warmly. "Will you join us? We will need a few scouts above."

The creatures were flying within a heartbeat, both circling the air around them.

"You're staring at me," Kahlan stated as she shifted in her new set of armor. It took her and three others an hour to help her dress and she disliked the way she felt in it. "Did we miss something?"

"No," he breathed out as she turned toward him. "I was admiring the beautiful view." The way he spoke brought a smile to her lips, hearing the sincerity of his words. "I don't know why you don't like it."

She almost asked how he knew, but she paused, instantly remembering who it was she spoke to. "Weakness."

"Wearing that doesn't make you weak, Kahlan. It makes you stronger. You are going into battle when you can give birth any moment, there is another life you are protecting. That is not weakness." Coming to stand before her, he sighed. "Kahlan, I- You're a Confessor and you at used to being your own defense, but in a battle of this size, this is what is neck safety to survive. You wear this for all of us to survive."

Holding his gaze, she rested her hands on her stomach. "I'm afraid."

"She will be protected, I promise. You and I, we aren't going to let anything happen to her."

"She is not the only one I am afraid of losing."

"We all will still be here, I promise."

Her frown deepened as she stepped closer. "That is not something you can promise, Richard."

"I will do everything possible to keep our family safe."

With a slight nod and smile, she brought her hands to his cheeks. "That is something I will never doubt." She kissed him briefly, a quick moment to unleash herself before pulling back and straightening her back. "If you are ready Lord Rahl, there is a war to be won."