TITLE: Deception

AUTHOR: LOTSlove®

CHARACTERS: Richard / Kahlan / Cara / Zedd / Nicci / Original Characters

RATING: R / M

WARNINGS: Author Chooses Not to Use Warnings

TIMELINE: Anything up through S2 season finale (Tears)

DISCLAIMER: I'm completely obsessed with the show Legend of the Seeker and all things Richard and Kahlan. I love to write about them even though they cancelled my show and now I'm fighting to get it back!

SUMMARY: Sequel to me fic Revelation, Richard and Kahlan fight to solidify the D'Haran Empire when a new threat rises threatening to destroy all that they have worked for.

Chapter 25

Her mind was a wild tempest of dark fury and vengeance. Her eyes were simmering infernos as she searched for her daughters, her powerful magic set to explode like a volcano the longer she went without finding them.

Her magic crackled like bolts of deadly lightning throughout her body, settling into her tightly gripped fists as she sought out those who deserved her justice. Retribution could not come soon enough as she worked her way through the city that had become her home.

She subconsciously fought back tears as Richard's face continually rose to the surface of her tormented mind, attempting to break her free from the thick haze of blood rage that possessed her.

Movement out of the corner of her eye caused Kahlan to instantly freeze. She swiftly turned finding the object of her fury coming from a side alley. Paige and Priya cried louder at the site of her, frantically reaching out towards their mother as they were once again whisked away from her.

She stormed towards them only to stop suddenly as Paige was taken one direction, Priya the opposite way. A rolling cry of rage tore from her lungs and rippled through the air, her heart thundering with unimaginable pain. The ground trembled beneath her boots with the force of her wrath, blue lightning crackling around her fists.

With another cry of anguish, Kahlan immediately raced after Sabinus, desperate to save her daughters from whatever plans they had in store for them. Pausing, Sangria watched with a self-satisfied smirk as the Mother Confessor followed Sabinus, pleased that her plan was working.

Priya cried hysterically, her little face red and wet with tears as she struggled to escape Frinhill's tight hold on her. He fought to control the frantic one year old, but was failing miserably.

"Can't you shut that child up?" Sangria hissed, suddenly turning to find soldiers coming to stand behind them, blocking their path.

"Release the child now!" the imposing soldier ordered with a sneer on his lips.

Sangria smiled pleasantly at the soldiers standing before them, their swords drawn and ready for a fight to the death if need be to save Lord and Lady Rahl's children. She calmly sauntered past Backus and Frinhill, putting herself between them and the men bearing down on them.

"I wouldn't get in my way if I were you," she sweetly warned them. "I have the Lord and Lady Rahl's child. If anything happens to me, these two men are prepared to take the child's life."

"Give me the child now!" the soldier demanded louder this time, taking a threatening step towards her.

Sangria's smile only broadened with his threat, her almond eyes beginning to glow brightly. "Are you sure you want to do that?" she asked with a curious tilt of her head as she began to raise her hand.

A sudden gurgling gasp from behind took her off guard, causing her to spin around on her heel. Backus's eyes were wide with horror, the blade of a sword protruding from his chest. He suddenly crumpled to the ground, revealing an enraged Richard Rahl standing behind him, his chest heaving and nostrils flaring.

Richard quickly withdrew his sword, snatching Priya away from a startled Frinhill who stood paralyzed with fear. Before the Representative could take two steps to escape his fate, Richard ran him through with his sword, the man dropping to the ground in a heap.

Priya clung fiercely to her father, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck as she wailed. Keeping a protective arm wrapped around his little girl, Richard took a step towards Sangria, prepared to eliminate her as well.

"You may have saved one daughter, Lord Rahl, but we still have the other," Sangria coolly reminded him. "My brother and I will have what we came for one way or another. We will win in the end."

"I will not let you harm my children," Richard roared with deadly ferocity. "Taking them will be the last thing you ever do."

"We'll just see about that now…won't we?" she smirked, swiftly throwing her hands out towards him.

With a sudden fierce crack, a blinding wash of magic erupted from her hands directed straight at Richard and his daughter. Without even a thought, the Seeker instinctively raised his sword, deflecting the powerful stream of magic.

He grunted with the sudden force of the powerful blast, squeezing his eyes closed against the brilliant light that exploded like fireworks around him. He turned his body, attempting to protect Priya and shield her from the fierce attack. He had just gotten her back. He wasn't about to lose her now.

The blinding magic unexpectedly subsided, causing Richard to open his eyes. He slowly lowered his sword, stunned to find Sangria no longer standing before him. He turned in quick, tight circles searching for the witch, but she was nowhere to be found.

"Where did she go?" he yelled, the soldiers that had had her path blocked from the other side just as confused as the Seeker was.

Swiftly sheathing his sword, Richard wrapped his other arm around his daughter, a ragged sigh of relief escaping his lips as he squeezed his eyes closed against the heated rush of tears that suddenly assaulted him. Priya cried harder, burying her face in the crook of Richard's neck. He gently rubbed her back, doing his best to comfort her despite the fear that continued to pound wildly in his own heart.

He still needed to find Kahlan and Paige. He had no idea if they were hurt or where they even were now. And the silver haired witch was still on the loose, planning spirits knew what as well as Sabinus Dorst.

"It's alright, sweetheart," Richard softly cooed. "Daddy has you now. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

His words sounded so empty, so hollow to him now as he drew a shuddering breath. He had always sworn to himself that he would never let anything happen to his children, but he just had. He had failed them. It was his fault that Paige and Priya had been taken like they had, his fault that their lives were in danger.

Priya's cries began to settle to hiccoughing gasps as her father held her in his protective embrace. He needed to let her go so he could go after Kahlan and Paige, but he hated the idea of not holding her right now. She'd been so terrified and he so afraid of losing her.

He needed to hold her just as much as she needed to be held at that moment.

A sudden gentle hand on his shoulder drew Richard back to the precarious moment they found themselves still in. Swallowing hard, he turned to find Mistress Rachel standing behind him, worry permeating her pale blue eyes.

"Kahlan went after Sabinus and Paige," Rachel softly informed him.

"Which direction did they go?" he asked, feeling torn between protecting Priya and saving his other daughter.

"They're headed towards the stables," she replied. "They'll no doubt be trying to circle around, head towards the west gates in order to escape into the mountains."

Staring at the direction they had gone, Richard felt a war erupting in his heart. "I have to help Kahlan."

"Let me take Priya," she gently suggested, seeing the conflict in her Lord Rahl's face. "I'll take her back to your suite and stay with her until you return. I promise."

Richard stared at her for a long moment before looking down at his daughter in his arms. "They're my whole life," he softly murmured. "I can't lose them…lose Kahlan."

"I know," she said. "I'll protect your children with my life."

"I want your Sisters and a couple dozen D'Haran soldiers guarding my suite at all times until I return. No one enters the Palace until that woman and Sabinus is caught," he ordered her.

Rachel nodded her head in agreement. "I'll see to it that the Palace is locked down as well. Priya and Aiden won't leave my sight."

"Thank you, Rachel," he whispered, pulling Priya back to look into her face. She whimpered softly, still trying to catch her breath from crying so hard. "You be good for Rachel, Priya. I'll be back with your mother and sister just as soon as I can."

Priya grabbed at his nose, her eyes red, tears still streaking her face as she softly trembled with each gasp to catch her breath. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, fighting the urge to keep her with him. He handed her over to Rachel, Priya babbling something or other.

Rachel held her close, gently patting her back. Priya whimpered softly, reaching for Richard again. "I'll be back soon, my sweet girl," he told her, gently caressing the soft chestnut curls that covered her head. "You go with Rachel for now."

As if understanding, Priya turned her attention to Mistress Rachel, taking her long blond braid in her hands and tugging on it. She chattered about something to the Mord'Sith as Rachel turned to take her back to the Palace. It brought a small smile to the Seeker's lips. His daughters were already so strong and brave, so much like their amazing mother.

Drawing his sword once more, Richard took off in the direction that Rachel had last seen Kahlan go, bent on getting to her and saving their daughter. He had unresolved business left with a certain silver-haired witch and her brother, his blade and his rage still seeking satisfaction.

He would not be denied. No one took his children and lived to see another day.

XXX

"Push, Cara!"

The Mord'Sith gritted her teeth, sweat trailing down her face as she tightly gripped her knees. She panted heavily, momentarily relaxing back into Garren's hold on her. Her husband brushed her damp hair back off of her face, hooking it behind her ear.

"You are doing so amazing, Cara," he encouraged her, rubbing her arm.

"I…just want this baby out…now!" she growled.

"I see the head!" Nicci cried. "Keep pushing, Cara! I know you can do this."

Cara wearily closed her eyes for a moment, fighting to bring this child into the world. She was exhausted, more than ready for this to be over with already and yet at the same time, she feared that her baby would die being born so early.

With a growl, she leaned forward again, adjusting her grip on her knees as she began to bear down again. Her heart was racing, her stomach churning with dread. She had no idea what had happened to Kahlan and the twins or if Lord Rahl was even alright, but she knew she couldn't worry about that right now. She had to safely bring this baby into the world.

"You're doing marvelously, Cara," Nicci cheered her on. "Just a little more."

"That's what you said…a while ago…" she panted.

"I know, but you're so very close now," the sorceress replied. "You have to keep pushing!"

"I am!" Cara snapped. "You try this…for a while…and see how you do!"

"Cara, you can do it," Garren said. "I'm right here with you."

"You're…giving birth…to the next one," she huffed, causing Garren to chuckle softly.

Bracing herself, Cara leaned forward, clenching her jaw as she pushed with what little strength she had left. Her head fell back as a cry escaped her lips, her knuckles white with the death-grip she held on her knees.

"The head is out!" Nicci excitedly exclaimed. "Another push and that should be it."

Drawing a deep breath, the Mord'Sith pushed again, an infant's cry abruptly piercing the air as Cara collapsed weakly against her husband. Her chest heaved as tears escaped her eyes. Her baby was finally here.

"It's a boy!" Nicci cried, holding up a squirming wet infant for Cara and Garren to see.

"A boy!" Garren replied, tears trailing down his cheeks as he wrapped his powerful arms around his wife. "We have a son, Cara!"

"Is…is he alright?" she asked, fear permeating her voice. "Please, Nicci…please tell me he's alright."

Using her magic, Nicci quickly checked on their son as she wiped him off, wrapping a blanket around him. Looking up at Cara and Garren, a warm smile broke across her face. "He's a little small, but he's absolutely perfect," she softly said as she handed him to Cara.

Leaning over Cara's shoulder, Garren gazed into the face of his newborn son, his vision blurring with the tears that filled his eyes. Their baby was finally here; his son was safely in their arms. He had dreamed about this for so long and now the moment had finally arrived.

He found it difficult to speak, to tear his eyes off of his beautiful son sleeping now in Cara's arms. Overwhelming joy flooded his heart, bringing more tears to his eyes. With a trembling hand, he gently reached out, running a gentle finger along his cheek.

"He's perfect," Garren murmured. "Absolutely perfect.

"Yes, he is," Cara whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as well. "So you've been the one kicking me all this time."

He looked so tiny in her arms, so fragile and yet so perfect in every way. She ran her fingers along the soft wisp of black hair on top of his head, thrilled that he had Garren's hair. She gently stroked along his nose, noticing it too belonged to her husband.

"He looks like you," she smiled through her tears.

"I guess he does a little," Garren smiled as well, pride shining in his eyes.

"Does he have a name?" Nicci finally asked as she worked to heal Cara.

"Caiden," Garren proudly announced, completely captivated by the small bundle in his wife's arms.

"Beautiful name for a beautiful baby," Nicci said, overjoyed for her friends. "I'm going to give you a little time alone. I'm going to check on how the evacuation is going, see if anyone needs any healing. I'll be right back."

Cara and Garren barely even registered the sorceress's words or the fact that she had left. They were so engrossed with the little wonder they now had in their lives that everything else had fallen away.

"I love you so much, Cara," Garren murmured, leaning in and kissing her temple.

"I love you too, Garren," she replied, turning to kiss her husband.

"You did it, Cara," he told her. "You brought our son safely into the world. You've been through so much carrying our baby and I'm so very proud of you. Thank you, my love."

"It was all worth it," she whispered, staring at her son again.

"Even the bed rest?" Garren asked, surprised by her response.

"I would do it all over again just for another moment like this," she wistfully said.

"We better get working on making another one then," Garren chuckled softly. "You know we're already behind Richard and Kahlan three to one."

The Mord'Sith groaned with her husband's words. "It's not a contest you know," she rolled her eyes. "Maybe we can wait for a few months before starting on another one."

"Whatever you want, Cara," Garren murmured as kissed her again. "Whatever you want."

Cara sighed contentedly with the feel of her baby in her arms and Garren's arms around her. She wished that her baby's arrival could've been under better circumstances, her thoughts and fears beginning to turn back to Lord Rahl, Kahlan and the girls. She prayed to the good spirits that they were alright.

XXX

Breathing heavily, Sabinus rushed down a side street, Gorrim following close on his heels with Paige still held tightly in his arms. He cursed under his breath as he cast a glance over his shoulder, catching site of the Mother Confessor coming after them. He knew they needed to lose her soon before she caught up to them and confessed them both.

"We need to get out of the open…find a place to hide before we meet back up with Sangria and the others…" Sabinus yelled, looking around him for a place to go. "Quick…over there! We'll lose her in there."

Leaping over piles of hay that stood in their way, they ran through an open side door of the stables, desperate to escape their horrifying fate that was looming closer and closer by the second. Horses began to loudly stamp their hooves and whinny at the sudden intrusion, but their annoyance was quickly drowned out by Paige's frantic cries. She choked and coughed on her tears, fighting to catch her breath as her hysteria grew.

"Can't you do something to stop her?" Gorrim growled, his panic rising as the Mother Confessor entered the stables.

"If she gets too close, she'll confess us!" Sabinus spat out. "Go that way!"

Turning down another aisle, Sabinus abruptly pulled back, allowing Gorrim to get past him before suddenly stopping. Peering around the corner, he quickly raised his hand, releasing a bolt of magic.

Kahlan was immediately thrown back by the sudden force of the magical blast, landing hard on the ground. She quickly leapt to her feet with an enraged growl, her left shoulder bleeding badly. She cradled her arm against her chest, ignoring the blood that turned her sleeve bright red. Her sole focus was getting her daughter back.

She gritted her teeth, barely registering the pain as she followed her daughter's captors, her rage only intensifying with the sudden attack. Sweat trickled down her face and back, dirt clinging to her like a second skin, but she paid it little attention.

The sound of her daughter's frantic wailing pierced her ears and stung her heart. Tears burned in her eyes, her desperation rising as she ran through the stables after her baby girl. Fear for her other daughter still consumed her soul as did fear for her husband.

Peering over his shoulder, Gorrim saw the Mother Confessor coming after them again. "You missed!" he hissed.

Sabinus looked back as well. "No…she's wounded."

"Well, it's not slowing her down any," Gorrim shot back. "Let's leave the child behind and maybe we can at least escape this without being confessed."

"The daughters were the sole purpose in coming in here!" Sabinus scowled. "The sun will be setting soon. We can hopefully lose her in the darkness."

"I don't think we're going to make it that long."

"We can't give up now," Sabinus snapped. "We've come too far and risked too much to just give up."

"You better come up with something soon then."

"We need to circle back around and find Sangria. Our magic is stronger together," Sabinus told him.

Turning down the next aisle, Sabinus and Gorrim slid to an abrupt stop at the sight of the Seeker heading straight for them, his sword drawn, his dark gaze locked on them.

Sabinus knew that their end had finally come.