Richard's back slammed into a tree, his sword tumbling out of his hands. He glanced up at the offender, smiling and shaking his head, leaning down and resting his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
"Is that what you're going to do in a real fight, Richard? Smile and give up?" Kahlan taunted, hopping lightly on her feet, enticing him back into the swordplay.
It had been a few days since the night in the woods when they were attacked. He had tended to her wound quickly, ignoring the obvious stares of Zedd. Although disapproving, the old man kept quiet and let Richard and Kahlan's relationship grow. Richard was glad that they were at ease around each other again, back to their playful demeanor. It took Richard all he had to keep control when he kissed her or touched her, fully knowing what would happen if they were to take it any further. He wasn't sure if he minded much - losing his soul to her - but he knew it would destroy Kahlan.
Kahlan had been teaching him how to fight, and Richard now felt more confident in his abilities. But, no matter how good he thought he was getting, he could never beat Kahlan. She was always faster, stronger, smarter. Since the attack, she pushed him harder each day during their fights. Whenever they stopped for rest, she would grab her daggers and walk away, which was a silent command for Richard to follow.
They were supposed to be at the palace days ago, but Kahlan had been persistent in going slower and teaching Richard how to fight. Zedd had been reluctant at first, but quickly relented, realizing that a Seeker who was defenseless would be easy prey for Darken Rahl. Kahlan constantly praised him, telling him he was improving, but Richard always felt inadequate when fighting her.
"Well?" Kahlan questioned, propping her hands on her hips. Richard sighed as he leaned down, retrieving his sword. This woman was a handful and she exhausted him - in more ways than one.
"I figured I'd give you a break," Richard joked, chuckling. Kahlan raised her eyebrow.
"From beating you?"
"Precisely. I know I could use a break," Kahlan laughed, throwing her head back slightly. He smiled. Richard would never get tired of seeing her laugh.
Instead of arguing, like she normally did when he made the request, she threw her daggers to the side, wiping her hands of dirt and sweat. Richard wanted to say something, but if he did, he knew it would result in them fighting once again, and he desperately needed a break. His whole body ached from the sessions.
He dropped his sword, walking over to her. Kahlan grinned at him as she pulled her hair from her face, fastening it behind her head. It was messy, but effective. Her hair was becoming plastered onto her skin from the work outs and she felt disgusting. Richard, however, never seemed to notice, or care, when she was sweat drenched and dirty.
Richard wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer and gently pressing his lips to hers. "You know how to wear a man out," he teased as she scoffed, kissing her forehead.
"You're improving," Kahlan beamed up at him.
"I've had a very skilled teacher," Richard responded, rubbing his nose against hers as she giggled. "The real question is if I have improved enough to obtain the third box."
Kahlan pursed her lips, looking to the right as she thought. "Well, there's always room for improvement, so the real question is," she mimicked him, leaning forward a bit and smirking, "when will you feel confident enough to fight?" Richard nodded at her words, realizing that if he didn't have the confidence, it didn't matter how well he fought. Kahlan was always shining a new light on things, giving Richard a totally different perspective.
"We need to get the box as soon as possible," Richard spoke out loud, thinking. Kahlan's arms reached up and wrapped around his neck, her fingers dancing along the base of his hairline. The feeling was causing his mind to wander. "I don't think we can afford anymore time to try and perfect my fighting."
Kahlan nodded, "I agree." She leaned up and kissed him quickly before pulling away, tilting her head. "If it's any help, I think you're ready." Richard smiled down at her, her words filling him with renewed vitality. Their foreheads pressed together when they heard a rustling from behind.
"My boy, you will never learn how to battle if you are constantly wrapped around your opponent." Zedd joked, taking large steps through the brush. His gray hair swayed back and forth, his stalky figure trying to maneuver around the forest floor. He was carrying a pack in his hand, holding it above the floor cautiously, as if it contained something vitally important.
Kahlan shrugged and Richard let go of her, taking a step forward and wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her into his side. She laughed lightly and leaned into him.
"Confessors and Seekers," Zedd grumbled lightheartedly, finally making his way to the two. Kahlan and Richard smiled at each other. "Queen Milena has received word from Darken Rahl, who will soon be at Tamarang. We must move quickly."
Kahlan nodded, looking up at Richard. His jaw clenched, his nerves on edge with anxiety. However, with Kahlan close by, he had all the confidence in the world. Zedd tossed the pack at Kahlan, who caught it with ease. She looked up at him.
"What's this?" She began to pull open the drawstring, exhaling and smiling, shaking her head.
"A Confessor's dress, my dear." Kahlan pulled the white cloth out of the bag. Richard stared, unaware of what was going on. She only pulled the dress out halfway, rubbing the fabric between her fingers before shoving it back in the bag.
"These dresses inspire fear."
"Exactly," Zedd straightened his back, crossing his arms. Kahlan smirked, nodding slowly.
"Queen Milena," Kahlan looked up at Zedd, pursing her lips. "I'm assuming she doesn't take well to authority?" Zedd shook his head. "Tamarang is a part of the Midlands," Kahlan waved a hand in the air, swinging the pack over her shoulder. "She has to obey Confessors, correct?"
Zedd smiled, tilting his head back. "Yes, but more precisely, she has to obey the Mother Confessor."
Kahlan's brow furrowed and her nose wrinkled. "Mother Confessor?"
"Yes."
"Isn't it treason to impersonate the Mother Confessor?" Kahlan questioned, her eyebrow quirking up. Richard smirked and wrapped his arm tighter around her. Kahlan had become more curious on the background of Confessors, spending many nights asking the wizard never ending questions. She was now incredibly well educated in the matter.
"Not if it's true, my dear."
Kahlan's brow furrowed again, glancing at Richard, who shrugged in response. Zedd laughed.
"The many times you and Richard were... what do you two call it? Fighting?" Kahlan scoffed and Richard laughed, Zedd smiling. "I used some magic to locate other Confessors."
"And?"
"You seem to be the last," Zedd sighed, his voice heavy. Kahlan's eyes went wide as she frantically looked between Richard and the old man.
"You made a mistake."
Zedd shook his head sadly, looking at Kahlan with sympathetic eyes. "Sadly, I did not."
"I'm the only Confessor?" Kahlan asked, not believing what she was hearing. She couldn't be the last. If she was the last, she would need to carry on the line of Confessors. With a mate.
"Well, my dear, you better start acting like the ruler of the Midlands, because that is exactly what you are." Zedd smiled, pushing back the seeping depression of Kahlan being the last Confessor. He knew what that meant, and from the look in her eyes, she knew what it meant as well. Richard, however, looked oblivious. Perhaps it was better that way.
Richard smiled as he squeezed her side, causing her to jump a little and abandon her previous thoughts. He was happy for her. She was now the most important person in the Midlands. The woman who was repressed and pushed down now commanded an entire land.
Which also meant she was a larger target.
"Did Rahl kill the others?" Richard asked, finally interjecting into the conversation. Zedd gave a single nod and Kahlan shut her eyes. "We better start moving if we want to get to Tamarang before Rahl does." Richard spoke, separating himself from Kahlan and leaning over to retrieve her daggers and his sword. He pushed the steel into it's scabbard and handed Kahlan's daggers to her, kissing her forehead and receiving a tight lipped smile from her.
Zedd smiled. It would be sad to tear the two apart. He almost wished that the line of Confessors didn't need to be carried on, that these two could live blissfully on their own. Despite their feelings, something else deemed more important.
Duty.
