Cara rode the warhorse far beyond where any of the countless citizens of Aydindril could ever find her. The sun streaked the sky, coloring the clouds a hazy red and purple. It was early evening, and there was only one question that needed to be answered. When she reached the trees, she stopped. A familiar face walked out from behind a tree.
"You found me." Richard said, his face solemn and his lips pursed. Cara didn't respond, just held her hand onto hilt of her brilliant sword. Richard's eyes followed the hand, and a sad smile crossed his lips.
"You've stopped using agiels." Richard remarked.
"I found I can't rely on magic anymore." Cara replied, gripping the hilt harder. Richard opened his mouth to talk, but said nothing.
"You're following me." she stated matter-of-factly, her eyes set in a steady glare. "Tell me why."
Richard stepped back and crossed his arms.
"I wanted to know if the rumors were true. Are you really her 'mate' now?" His voice was tinged with thinly veiled jealousy. Cara merely gave a curt nod.
"If that is her choice, then I will stand by it." Richard blinked a few times, then dropped his shoulders with defeat. Cara looked at him with a hint of pity; she remembered well when it was her that felt defeated and helpless because of unrequited love.
"You love her." he said quietly. Cara looked into his eyes with steely resolve.
"I do."
"Then never let her forget it." He replied, his voice seemingly strained. Cara looked back toward Aydindril; its colossal walls were beckoning to her. When she turned to address Richard, she saw that he was gone. Cara grunted, and then sent her horse in the direction of her new home.
Cara sometimes itched for her leathers again. Wearing expensive velvet and silk was comfortable enough, but the confines of her former outfit were what she was used to. Silk was too soft and breathable for her. She sometimes yearned for the hard shell of her leathers to keep her focused, her long braid pulled back tight on her head, centering her thoughts on her mission. She knew what the outfit stood for, how people feared and hated her when she wore it, but still, there was a tiny niggling in her mind that desired people to fear and respect her again. Without her leathers she wasn't recognized by anyone; just another person among a crowd of citizens making their way through the streets. The only people who seemed to recognize her were the guards just outside Kahlan's palace, and the servants inside. A small part of her mind wondered why Kahlan was so hesitant to claim Cara as her mate before the counsel. Was she afraid of what it meant? Cara tried to stop thinking about it before the insecurities consumed her.
Kahlan sat patiently, her face still and emotionless. She had sat there for almost six hours, watching the council members talk incessantly about things that mattered very little-the streets needed cleaning, a grave tax needed to be collected-the list went on and on almost indefinitely. Kahlan stifled a yawn, trying to focus her eyes instead of letting them glaze over like they threatened to. Suddenly, she noticed all eyes were on her.
"Mother Confessor?" Counselor Hessing repeated. "What is your view on your current situation?" Kahlan sat up straighter in her chair, hands briefly touching her hair in an effort to right herself.
"Yes... what situation?" She asked awkwardly.
"We wish to know what it is you plan to do with your... guest." He asked, his eyes alight with a knowing look.
"That's none of your business." Kahlan said, her nostrils flared with sudden aggrivation.
The counsel members all began to quietly chatter amongst themselves. Soon another man spoke aloud.
"We know more than you think, Kahlan. Is she your mate or not?" Kahlan turned to the man and glared angrily at him. He shrank back into his seat.
Hessing wasn't finished.
"I hardly think the woman would make a suitable mate... she is lacking certain... attributes. And she's a Mord-Sith no less! Don't you want to continue your line, Mother Confessor?" He asked wryly, obviously enjoying getting a rise out of her. Kahlan stood up suddenly.
"This meeting is over." She said angrily, and before anyone got a word in edgewise, hurriedly marched out of the room toward her personal quarters.
"Cara?" She asked as she entered the spacious bedroom. Cara was seated on the large bed, her body faced toward the window over looking the city below. She didn't turn as Kahlan walked in.
"Richard visited me earlier tonight." The blonde said flatly.
"Richard?" Kahlan replied hesitantly. Cara stood up from the bed and turned to face her. Cara's face was expressionless, but Kahlan recognized the panic in her eyes.
"What did he want?" Kahlan asked, her eyes locked onto Cara's.
"He's wanted to know if I was really your mate." Cara admitted.
Kahlan's shoulders tensed up. A shiver of anxiety travelled up her spine just at the thought of facing the enormous faceless crowd of Aydindril, a Mord-Sith at her side. She needed more time to assert her power, she needed more time to just get used to the idea of even having a mate. Cara's eyes studied Kahlan carefully. She began to slowly walk toward her.
"I wonder," Cara began. "Might things have been easier if I was male? If I could provide you with a child?" Kahlan snapped back to reality when she processed what Cara had said.
"Cara!" She gasped. "What in the world would make you even think such a thing? I love you and only you, Cara. As you are-Morth-Sith and female!" Cara stared at her face imploringly. When she found nothing to doubt she simply closed her eyes.
Kahlan reached over to Cara's side, deftly pulling the sword out of Cara's scabbard.
"This, we need to talk about." Kahlan held it up; the candles in the room glinted off the blade, making it's reflection bounce across the room as she inspected it. Cara shrugged, nonchalant.
"Insurance." The blonde replied.
"It looks expensive." Kahlan countered.
"Expensive insurance." Cara said with a smirk. She held out her hand expectantly. Kahlan gave the sword back, her brow knit with worry.
"Do you think there is a need for a sword? Is there something out there that scares you?" Kahlan asked. Cara smoothly slid the jeweled sword back into it's scabbard. She put a hand on her hip and looked deeply into Kahlan's eyes.
"A Mord-Sith is always prepared." Cara replied. Kahlan rolled her eyes, while inside she felt a tingling of fear. So Cara feels it too. She thought to herself. Something was on the horizon.