She suspected, from the beginning, that this 'looking for herbs' was just an excuse, whereby they could discuss her problem. It looked like, Kahlan wanted Rose to feel more comfortable, in mutual companionship, asking first about other things. Especially about travelling on enormous Eagle. Rose smiled at the mere mention, blushing a little, as she reminded herself the long hours of hugging to John's back.

"Well... At the beginning, I was shocked and a bit frightened, but later it turned out to be such a wonderful feeling... to fly so high, seeing the whole world from the aerial view..."

"Oh, I know what you mean, Rose..."

"Don't tell me, you flew on the Eagle too, Kahlan!"

The woman looked at Rose, smirking.

"On the Eagle no. I flew on a Dragon."

"ON A DRAGON?! You must be kidding me!"

"Haha, no I'm serious. Actually, I'm surprised it shocks you so much. Considering, that you've already seen a lot of things, I suppose..."

"Indeed, but a Dragon... Just... wow!"

"Please imagine my reaction, when Richard explained to me, what kind of transport, he organised for us..."

"Yeah... men and their 'fantastic ideas'..."

They both burst into laughter. Rose felt very at ease in Kahlan's company. She proved to be very smart, witty person, to that truly kind and nice. Not strange, that Richard loved her so much... Speaking of which, she was interested in how these two had met.

"Kahlan, I don't want to be too meddlesome, but can I ask about Richard?"

"Sure, I suppose you will want to."

"Because... I guess, you must have known him for a long time? You two seem to be very close and, if you are married..."

Kahlan smiled wider.

"Honestly, we haven't know each other very long... not quite 2 years. Nevertheless, we have gone through so many things... Moreover, you know... sometimes you meet somebody and don't need much time to realize, that you and this person are just meant to be together... Despite all the difficulties or troubles, you can always find a way to each other. It's so strange, that one day, you don't even know, that he exists. And you spend some time with him, then everything seems to finally make sense. Somehow you can't remember the times before your meeting, and when if lose him... its
as if, someone, tore out a piece of your heart. "

"You love him over and above your own life, don't you?"

"I do. He is like a miracle to me... and the fact, we can be together, at all...in particular, taking into account my magic..."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... it's a little hard to explain... in our world, everyone knows who I am, but for people who don't belong in it, it must be weird..."

"Please, try..."

"Alright, then. I am one of so called 'Confessors'. Well, actually the last one, all the others were killed... We are kind of ancient convent of women, who sacrifice their lives to searching the truth and justice. The Confessor, is in some way, the highest judge. She also looks after the peace between different lands and equal rights for them."

"And you were chosen to become one of them? It must be a huge responsibility..."

"It is... Sadly, I had no choice. This is hereditary power, transferred from mother to daughter."

"Oooh I'm sorry Kahlan... I suppose, it must be very hard... But, I don't understand, how it works... I mean this power, you have..."

"Generally speaking, it helps me to find out the truth, sometimes, when there is no other choice, in very cruel way..."

"So it somehow causes pain?"

Rose upbraided herself in her thoughts. It was noticeably difficult and painful for Kahlan to speak about it, but right now, the curiosity in her, forced her to ask.

"Worse... Of course, I use this only as the last resort - when my life is in danger or when some prisoner has to be forced to confess. It's... well, actually this magic is based on love..."

"On love?!"

"Yes. When I touch this man, releasing my power, he is blinded by love and devotion towards me and, becomes my slave, in some sense... Then, the only purpose of his life is to please me. He's not the same person, anymore, he loses his own soul and will. He can do, whatever I tell him - confess me his sins, fight for my protection, kill himself..."

"Somebody can die, just because you told him to?"

"Yes... that's why, on the whole, people hate me. They are frightened of me, like you know... I was doing it for my own pleasure... Most of them, are afraid even of touching me, which isn't dangerous, cause I control myself, releasing this power, only when I must... Richard didn't know, about who I am, when our paths crossed. He lived in another land, bereft of magic. In fact, he was the first person, who treated me like an ordinary woman and wanted to become my friend..."

For a while Rose remained speechless. How terribly lonely, this woman had to feel for her whole life...

"I'm really sorry to hear that Kahlan, it sounds so unfair... "

"Oh...I am used to this, but I cannot deny, it's s very heavy burden. Its not so easy, when people you care about, hate you... "

"But not Richard!"

Smile brightened woman's face, once again.

"Yes, Richard was different. Since, I met him, everything started to change. Right now, I have a few great friends, for whom I could die. And Richard is one, surely!"

"But... you said before, it's a miracle, that you can be together. Why is that?"

"Oh, you must know one more thing about Confessors, Rose. They mustn't allow themselves, to fall in love, think about one's own happiness..."

"You can't fall in love?! But that's so cruel... and what if you do?"

"If, The Confessor falls in love with someone, she cannot control her own feelings... and during... you know, some moments of closeness or intimacy, she could, by accident, smite her beloved, with magic. After that... he just wouldn't be himself, anymore, only her slave..."

"And there is no way way to fix it?"

"The only way for that is to kill the Confessor. Then, the spell is broken. We must choose partners to sustain our lineage, but not because of what we feel, just from the obligation. We don't choose the one, we love, because it would mean destroying this person, forever."

"Oh Kahlan, it's so terribly sad... I don't even know what to say... however, you are with Richard... so in this a special case, it is possible, right?"

"Well, don't worry. In our world it's normal. I was being prepared for that, since childhood. What doesn't change the fact, it's rather sad and very lonely life... That's why, I am so lucky to have Richard."

"How is it possible, that you didn't smite him with your power?"

"I've told you he is very special... I'm not even sure how, but he just found a way. My power can't hurt him..."

Rose, smiled thoughtfully, reminding herself, how Richard and Kahlan looked at each other, before.

"Maybe, because he simply couldn't love you more, than he already does?"
"Oh... no... I think it's not... I mean..."

Kahlan started to blush. Apparently, she felt uncomfortable, hearing these words, so Rose decided to change the subject a bit.

"Richard has magic too, right?"

"He does... BUT, we are still talking about me and Richard. What about you and John?"

"Oooh..."

Now, Rose was blushing, herself, while Kahlan continued.

"... I can see you two are, also very close to each other..."

"Oh no... we aren't even together..."

Kahlan didn't say a word, looking at her with a warm smile.

"... really, there is nothing more between me and John... he helped me and we started travelling together... maybe we are friends, but it's nothing more, really!"

"Rose... you are constantly repeating yourself, like even you don't believe it yourself..."

"I'm not! I'm just tired, that's all..."

"Perhaps, I should have told you before..."

"Tell me what?"

"The Confessor, has one more ability. I always know, if somebody tells the truth or not..."

"Ooooh"

"Yeah... So, I can see, that there is something more between you and John, isn't it?"

"Honestly, I don't know what I feel, anymore..."

"And this is true. Rose, don't worry, I didn't want to admit my feelings towards Richard, either. "

"Oh... it's not so simple... furthermore, thinking about my feelings and this... is the last thing, which I should be doing, at the moment..."

"I know, Gandalf told me this and that..."

"Did he tell you what happened to me?"

"Not exactly. He insisted however, you should do it, by yourself. Of course, if you want to... Maybe, you don't trust me, enough..."

"I hardly know you, Kahlan, however, I already trust you and... perhaps you could help me, somehow..."

"I feel honored. Then, tell me, what happened, we have as much time, as you need. I'll do my best to help you Rose, you have my word!"

"Thank you, Kahlan. You have no idea how much it means to me..."