Well, I'm gonna finally finish this, sorta. This here is the final chapter of this story. Expect a sequel revolving around the end of the chapter.
Chapter 14
The Fate of Us All
Darken Rahl was at work, carving the symbols involved with the process of opening the
Boxes of Orden. His son, Richard, was standing with an agiel aimed at the base of his skull. Every symbol or instruction given, Rahl copied with precision. He knew that those whom would oppose him were marching through the corridors of the People's Palace. The magic of the palace gave him a brief overview of the palace at any time. He knew that he'd be opening a box when they marched in, if that brat Gadi did what he was paid to do.
Nicci sensed someone close. She sped up to where Zedd and Kamil were chatting about who knew what. Tapping the elderly wizard on the shoulder, she spilt what was on her mind.
"Someone is following us. I think he is working for Jagang, trying to slow us down before we reach the Garden of Life," she turned to the young man, "I believe that you'd be best to deal with him."
Kamil stared out one of the huge windows, complentating Nicci's idea. "Sure, I'll get him. If you want, I'll bring his head on a pike to the Garden of Life myself." He turned to the gifted, "where is the bastard."
"Right here." The three turned around to see a young man standing behind him. He spun a knife in his hand, over his bare chest. Nicci and Kamil both gritted their teeth.
"Gadi…"
"Good, you remembered me. I'd never forgive you both for betraying the Order and their righteous ways. You both our heathens; those who will spend the after life with the Keeper himself. I hate you both." With that, he charged the group. Kamil turned to the others quickly.
"Go. I'll deal with him. Kahlan will need help if she's gonna save Richard. Good luck." He then stepped forward, pulling out his own knife.
Nicci turned to the old man, "let him do his job. We must do ours." They turned, making their way towards the center of the palace.
Rahl had finished the process. He turned to Richard, "what is next."
Richard gave him a blank look, but repeated the book, line for line. "Once so arranged, Orden is at the ready to be commanded. Where one shadow is insufficient to gain the power to sustain the life of the player, and three more than can be tolerated by all life, the balance is stuck by opening the box with two shadows; one shadow for yourself, and one for the world that would be yours to command by the power of Orden. One world under one command is marked by the box with two shadows. Open it to gain your reward.
"Rule as you have chosen."
"Is that it?"
"Yes Lord Rahl. That is it." With that, Rahl approached the boxes, staring directly at the one with two shadows. He smiled as he lifted the cover open. Right then, the door opened, with Kahlan, Zedd and Nicci streaming in. Denna left Richard, turning towards the intruders. Kahlan stopped in the middle of the garden and raised her hand. The symbolic thunder without sound shook the garden. Denna fell to the ground, screaming from the pain that all Mord Sith feel after the touch of a Confessor. The soldiers turned on Rahl, while Zedd and Nicci hurried over to Richard.
Richard was smiling.
"What's wrong with you, boy? Your enemy has just gained the power of Orden!" Zedd was angrier than Nicci had ever seen, but all Richard did was chuckle.
"I left out an important part. He will die very soon." As if called upon, Darken Rahl ignited with a strange green fire. Richard just turned around to them, "well, I think I won."
Nicci gave him a grave look. "Not yet. Jagang escaped from us. We'll need to deal with him before you can officially be the 'victor'." She looked between the two men. "I will go after him myself. That is all I can do now." She walked away, but stopped five steps from the door. "Don't tell Kamil where I've gone…if he's still alive." And with that she left the garden, sweeping out like a spirit.
Kahlan walked over to the others. "Looks like our business here is finished. We'll need to rearrange things here in D'Hara before we can go and help those in the Midlands." Zedd looked between the two, and then looked up at the full moon.
"With the defeat of Rahl, we have reached a fork in our history. Either we start on the road into a golden age, or a evil far powerful than Rahl will turn upon us, the sole hope for those who wish to be free of tyranny."
Fin
A/N: I'm done! Well, not exactly. I'm going to have a thank you chapter for those who have reviewed, favorited, or alerted to this story. If you wish to be in the next chapter, please do one of those three.
Oh, the italics are on page 802 of the paperback version of Wizard's First Rule.