Chapter XXVIII
Kahlan grunted as she helped Ben lower Cara onto a bale of hay. After making sure the blonde was sound asleep, the two discovered an upstairs area to the barn they had taken refuge in and decided that it would be the safest place to hide Cara while they took care of the assassins that chased them. Kahlan knelt down, drawing the fur cloak tightly around her friend's shaking form. She placed a hand to Cara's forehead and frowned. She was burning- even more than before- and Kahlan wasn't sure if the soldiers could be defeated in time to save her.
"They're here." Ben's low voice echoed slightly in the empty barn and Kahlan heard the pounding of horse hooves not far away. "The lights." One by one, the two snuffed out the candles they had lit around the barn and took hold of their weapons.
"Won't be long now." Kahlan whispered, knowing that Ben was right beside her. She looked over and saw the D'Haran's shadow kneeling over Cara. His head was close to hers as if he was whispering something in her ear. Kahlan's heart broke at his pain and she reached over to place a warm hand on his shoulder. Startled by the contact, Ben shot up, placing a quick kiss to Cara's lips, and drew his sword. Kahlan took up her position on the upper level, merely feet away from Cara, while Ben descended the ladder and stood directly in front of the door. Kahlan's heart began to beat wildly in her chest at the upcoming battle, knowing that it would not be an easy one. They were dangerously outnumbered not to mention the fact that Ben's mind was solely focused on Cara's wellbeing- not that she could blame him. Kahlan risked a glance at her friend and saw the blonde breathing heavily and squirming in her bedroll. She took a step closer to her and remembered her promise to Ben that no one would touch her. Gripping her weapon so tightly that it left an imprint in her palms, Kahlan heard the horses stop as their enemy arrived. The two heard men dismount and cautiously make their way towards the front of the barn. The muffled voices grew louder as the group approached.
"Are we sure this is a good idea?" one asked.
"Hush. We don't want to wake them." the sound of swords being drawn seemed to ring through Kahlan's ears.
"Don't let the Confessor touch you. She's a witch." Kahlan nearly smiled, sensing the fear in the man's voice at the mere thought of her. She would prove to him just how right he was to be afraid.
"Do not harm her." a deep voice commanded. "Lord Torren needs the woman alive."
"But he never said in how many pieces." another scoffed. The footsteps had stopped and Kahlan's body tensed, poised for the attack they would not expect.
"It's open." a man announced as he used his foot to open the barn door. Ben took a deep breath, hidden in the shadows of the dark barn and waited. One by one, the men entered, unbeknownst of the danger that lurked merely inches away. When half of their force had entered, Kahlan readied herself and took aim at the door. With one final glance at Cara, she released the arrow tipped with fire and set the doorway aflame. The men cried out, some caught in the fire while other scrambled to get on the other side of it. Those unlucky enough to be inside the barn when it was lit were met with Ben's blade. Swiftly, he cut them down one by one as the others struggled to find a way around.
"Here!" a voice cried. "There's a side window!" Kahlan dropped the bow and quickly took up her knives as she faced the window. Turning back, she saw that several men had managed to jump over the fire and were attacking Ben head on. She debated whether or not to join him when suddenly, his voice boomed over the crackle of the flames.
"Stay there!" he ordered, knowing that if she left to help him Cara would be defenseless. Kahlan turned her back to him and faced the window once more. The men could be heard banging on the bars Kahlan had placed there as they fought to get in. She knew they wouldn't hold long. Before any of them had a chance to enter, Kahlan rushed forward and shoved several of them backwards causing them to fall onto the ground not far below. Others she sliced and stabbed at, hearing their screams as they fell alongside their comrades.
"It's the Confessor!" a man who narrowly dodged her blade cried.
"What are you waiting for?! Grab her!" another shouted back. The first man seemed hesitant as he saw Kahlan's angry gaze turn to him but launched himself forward nonetheless. He was brave-she would give him that- but it didn't change his fate as Kahlan's knife sliced across his exposed throat. More and more poured in after him and Kahlan found herself struggling to hold them back as the window gave way. She could still hear Ben's sword and cries from below and knew that he had his fair share to handle. She would have to do this on her own. Eventually, men managed to actually remove their blades from their scabbards before Kahlan cut them down and slowly began to encircle her. None of them moved however, afraid of touching the Confessor. Kahlan took advantage of their hesitation and sped forward, crying out as she dispatched several at a time. The men's fear seemed to grow seeing how well the Confessor could fight and some backed away from her. That didn't stop her- she continued her assault, killing any in her sight until her arms started to give out. Exhaustion began to overtake her and the soldiers noticed. All at once, they rushed her, one of them managing to catch her by surprise and tackling her ankles. Kahlan crashed to the ground with a groan, the weak floorboards creaking in protest. Turning to kill the nearest man, Kahlan hissed as her arm was yanked backwards, a thick rope encircling it. She saw a man with a lasso in hand, struggling to force her to the ground once more. Another eager soldier, approached her free hand and tried to get the rope around it. It was a mistake. The moment Kahlan felt his skin touch hers, he was gone. Thunder clapped, time stopped and the man fell to his knees before his Mistress.
"Command-"
"Kill them!" Kahlan cried as she was brought to her knees by the force of the confession. She could hear the man howl as he attacked his friends in a desperate attempt to save her and tried to turn her body to free her hand. The man with the rope however, wouldn't give way. He shorted the slack and yanked hard, causing Kahlan to fly forward and land face first onto the wooden floor.
"Kahlan!" she heard Ben cry, having noticed her desperate situation. She turned in hopes of seeing the large D'Haran racing up the stairs to her rescue. Instead she saw a group of men tackle the blond to the ground and begin to pound at him.
"Ben!" she cried. His worry for her had caused him to lose his focus and now the brutish men had him pinned down.
"Mistress!" a voice behind her yelled and Kahlan turned just in time to see the Confessed man drop to his knees, a sword protruding from his chest.
"No." Kahlan shook her head. The man with the rope approached her cautiously and was soon close enough to step on her wrist. Kahlan winced but continued to struggle as the remaining men surrounded her. Panic flooded her system as she realized what was about to happen. Desperate, she shut her eyes tightly, trying to call upon the Con Dar- the one thing that could save them all- but nothing came. Her eyes darted around, searched for a way to free herself, when she caught sight of Cara- hidden behind a canopy- opening her eyes and turning to look at her. Tears welled in her eyes as the man applied more pressure to her bound wrist.
"Stop struggling or he dies." he knelt forward, careful not to get too close to her. Kahlan practically snarled as she reached for him only to have herself drawn back by a fist in her hair. The fist turned her head violently to face Ben who had a sword to his throat. Kahlan's heart stopped at the thought of him dying and immediately knew that she had no choice. If Ben lived then so would Cara and they could get to Renwold and convince the wizards to help save Aidyndril- and her.
"Alright." she growled, her eyes narrowing as the man approached her. He reached out and smiled, revealing yellowed teeth, before he stroked a finger down her cheek. Kahlan tried and failed to pull herself away from his touch.
"Lord Torren will be very pleased."
"Kahlan!" Ben cried, gaining her attention. "No, Kahlan! Don't!" a kick to the gut silenced the writhing D'Haran.
"I said 'alright'!" she shouted at the man who had hurt Ben. "I'll come with you."
"I was hoping you'd say that." The yellow-toothed man grinned and motioned to someone behind her. Before Kahlan knew it, a hilt was brought forcefully to the back of her head and the last thing she saw was Cara struggling to rise and a single tear falling down a sickly pale cheek.
