Chapter 21 – Rush
Kahlan's heart was beating so profoundly in her chest that she was sure that Richard could hear it. But his attention was elsewhere, focused on the shadowy figure pacing back and forth in the kitchen window. He grabbed her by her arm and pulled her down. She suppressed a yelp, knowing he was only doing so for her safety. Her mind reeled with all the terrible possibilities. And Kahlan was not at all surprised when her thoughts quickly turned to Ashley, as she feared for her child's life. She looked over at Richard, biting her lower lip, seeing his brow lower and his eyebrows knitting together as if he was plotting something.
She watched as he unsheathed his dagger. "Kahlan," he whispered softly. "Stay here and—"
"No," she hissed back.
"Kahlan," Richard groaned, rolling his eyes.
"No, Richard, you will listen to me," Kahlan spoke in a low, but firm voice. "I will not just stay here and let you go rushing into that cabin alone. My daughter's in there! I am going with you and that's final."
Richard frowned but gave a nod, relenting, and handed her the dagger. Kahlan raised her eyebrows and tried to hand it back, but he shook his head. "If you're going in there, Kahlan, then I want you to be able to defend yourself," he said, his voice stern, but also filled with love and concern.
"But what about you?" she asked, feeling her heart pound with worry for his safety. She could not lose him so soon after she finally got to have him. Not now, not when they were finally together.
"I'll make do," he said matter-of-factly, like it was no big deal. "Just stay close and be quick."
"I always am," Kahlan replied twirling the dagger around in her hand, showing him that she had not lost her abilities. She was not about to let him do this alone. Whether he liked it or not she had a vested interest in what was going on in there. Spirits, her first born was in that cabin and if something had happened to her… Kahlan shook her head. She could not even think it.
"Alright," Richard gave a nod, his eyes narrowing. "Follow my lead."
"I will always follow you, Richard," Kahlan whispered softly, reaching over to give his hand a squeeze.
Richard reciprocated her gesture, and then slowly slipped out of his cloak. Kahlan did the same, knowing that in a fight the long flaps would have restricted their movements, especially in close quarters.
"Ready?" he asked, looking at her, his warm brown eyes filled with worry.
Kahlan took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the cold winter air, and nodded. "Ready."
Richard inhaled through his nose and then was off, crossing the remaining distance between them and the cabin in the blink of an eye. Kahlan did her best to keep pace, but it was difficult. She had not run like this in many months, having spent most of her time heavy with child and then laying about depressed and worried she had lost Richard's love. Added to that, she was still exhausted from last night's activities, not to mention being resurrected, as it were. Kahlan was still stunned, almost beyond belief, that Richard had given her the Breath of Life. She had always believed that such a talent was only something that the Mord'Sith possessed, but apparently Richard had it as well. There was a part of her that was curious to find out the reason for that, but the current situation needed her full attention.
Kahlan followed Richard up the steps and watched as he lowered his shoulders and plowed through the door, knocking it off its hinges. Immediately a blurry man in a fur coat tried to tackle Richard, but the Seeker was quicker. He grabbed the man by the neck, wrapping his arms around him. Kahlan shuddered when she heard a sickening crack, averting her gaze as the man went limp. Richard pulled out the man's sword, and just in time, because two more men appeared from the hall.
Jumping out of the way, Kahlan spun the dagger in her hand, slicing through the man's bicep as he raised his sword above his head. Richard and the other man fought, but it was over quickly as Richard, having wielded the Sword of Truth, was far superior in sword fighting. He dispatched the other man and rushed to her aide, but it was not required. She had already dealt with the attacker, stabbing him in the chest, and then with a quick swing, cutting his throat. He collapsed to the floor, clutching his bleeding neck, unable to scream or make any other noise beside a sickening gurgle.
Kahlan's chest heaved as she remembered fighting along Richard when they had first met, being amazed out his skill. Now, here they were again, fighting side by side. However, this time it was not a D'Haran battalion they were facing, but a group of bandits who had invaded Richard's cabin. She felt her heart thump beneath her breast as she recognized the men. She turned to Richard, her eyes wide with worry.
"Richard, these are the same men who attack Dragen and me in forest," she informed him.
Richard narrowed his eyes and gave a nod, turning as the door to his bedroom opened. Kahlan recognized the bandit leader as he stepped out, holding Jennsen in front of him like a shield.
"Drop your weapons or I kill the woman!" he snarled.
Jennsen's eyes were wide with terror, and all Kahlan could think about was where was Ashley. Where was her baby? Richard clenched his jaw, but did as he was told. The sword fell loudly to the floorboards with a noisy clang. The bandit boss locked eyes with Kahlan.
"Drop it, little lady," he said, grinning. He clearly remembered her. His dark eyes scanned her and his grin widened.
Kahlan scowled, but did so, knowing she had other ways of protecting herself. She had been afraid of using her powers when they had first met, for fear of harming her child, but now she had no such fear. As her dagger hit the floor, two more men appeared from the hall. One grabbed Richard, pinning him against the wall. He was larger and more brawny than Richard and was able to hold him firmly, even as he struggled. The other came towards Kahlan, but made no move to grab her. She quickly glanced over her shoulder, sizing him up. She recognized him as the one who had wanted to shed her of her child. He was also the one who had taken the Sword of Truth from her. And he still had it, attached to his belt.
The bandit boss stepped forward, keeping a tight hold of Jennsen, his knife grazing her throat. He stared across the room at Kahlan and smiled. "I see my men were right," his eyes lingered on her heaving bosom. "You are quite a prize. Now that you're ripe for the picking again, you will fetch a handsome sum on the markets."
"If you lay a finger on her… I will kill you!" Richard growled, struggling against the man holding him.
The bandit boss laughed. "Is this your brother or lover?"
Kahlan gritted her teeth, she was not going to give the man the satisfaction of an answer. He frowned when she did not answer, but shrugged.
"No matter, either way, we can't have him following us after we take you two women, now can we?" he turned to the man holding Richard and gave a nod.
The man grinned, his dark eyes lighting up with sick pleasure. Kahlan made a move to go for Richard, but the man behind her quickly grabbed a hold of her. It was his first mistake, however, her mind was not focused on what was going on to her. Instead, all of her attention was directed towards what was happening to the man she loved. Kahlan cried out as the brute gripped Richard by the collar and flung him hard against the kitchen table, rendering it into pieces.
"RICHARD!" Kahlan cried out, struggling against the man holding him.
"No! Kahlan… stay there," Richard wheezed out, attempting to stand, clutching his middle where a jagged piece of wood was sticking out.
"That's right, dearie," the bandit boss sneered. "Stay there!" He turned to his comrade. "Kill him…," his dark eyes looked up to Kahlan and he smirked, wickedly. "And make him suffer."
"With pleasure, boss," the man snarled.
Richard attempted to stand again, but the pain in his side was obviously too much. He faltered and the bandit descended on him with a fierce punch to the gut, and a right hook across the jaw. Richard stumbled and fell. The man advanced, kicking him in the middle. He then bent over and proceeded to pummel Richard with his fists. Kahlan let out a sob as she heard Richard cry out in pain. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she was vaguely aware of hearing Jennsen crying as well, as the man continued to beat Richard.
"No… no!" Kahlan screamed as she tried to remove herself from her captor's grip and go to the man she loved. She cried out in horror as she saw blood dripping from the brute's fists as he continued to beat Richard. Her body rocked with sobs as she heard Richard's cries of torment, combined with the sickening sounds of the man's fists impacting with Richard's body.
"Leave him alone!" she wailed.
"Why so worried about this man, dearie?" the bandit boss said. "Have you spread you're legs for him like you did that man that got you with child?" he laughed. "A good slut that one. She'll probably enjoy herself!"
The man clutching Kahlan laughed as well. The talk only made Kahlan shudder with fear. "Ah, don't worry, little lady," her captor breathed down her neck. She clenched her jaw as she felt him kiss her skin and shoulder, his hand grabbing her breast. "You'll have plenty of men who will need your services soon. I'm sure you'll find some satisfaction."
He continued to grope her breast as he sucked on her neck.
The bandit boss clutched Jennsen closer and looked down at her. "Don't you fret, kitten," he purred lecherously. "You're just as pretty as her. And besides, you'll fetch a higher price. We always get more gold for virgins."
Jennsen let out a wail, and tears ran down her cheeks as the bandit boss shoved his hand down her blouse and fondled her. He licked her jaw and kissed her cheek.
"Yes, you'll fetch me a better price than that slut over there," he grinned.
The man holding Kahlan stopped his groping and held her firmly, pushing her closer, forcing her to watch as blood began to pool around Richard's now limp form. She let out a sniffle when she saw he was still alive, his head slowly turning back and forth. His cheek was swollen and red, his lips cracked and bleeding. The skin around his right eye was inflamed and puffy, blood trickling down his face. His mouth opened and she thought she heard him gasp her name.
"Oh, Richard… no," she whimpered softly.
"Enough with the beating," the man holding Kahlan huffed. "Just kill him, already!"
"Alright, alright," the brute let out a breath. "Keep your pantyhose on."
Kahlan shook in horror as she saw the man remove his dagger from its sheath, and bent down to grip Richard by his hair. He pulled Richard's neck back and brought the dagger to his throat. Kahlan's heart hammered fiercely in her chest and her face contorted in utter terror. Then, with a sudden crack, her heart snapped and a thunderous boom seemed to explode throughout her body.