Chapter 29
She roamed about like a graceful specter haunting the empty structure, her boots scuffing along the stone floor as she carefully inspected her handiwork. She was quite pleased with how well she had been able to put things back together. It had taken some time, but the temple dedicated to her master was finally restored to its original beauty just as it should be.
"Well done, my lovely Confessor…"
"I'm so glad that you are pleased, my lord," she murmured out loud, pausing in her steps.
Kahlan smiled with pride at the sound of her master's voice lingering in her ears, thrilled that she had been able to please him. It struck her as odd how just the sound of his deep resonating voice, his constant presence in her mind seemed to soothe her very soul. Before, it had terrified her to hear his voice, knowing that he was watching her, could take control of her at any time.
Now that they were finally one mind, she no longer felt that fear but a sweet sense of contentment. She was at last performing the duties that she had been meant to carry out.
She was beyond exhausted, every inch of her body aching with fatigue. Her injured shoulder throbbed in perfect unison with the steady thump-thump of her heart. She gingerly tried moving it only to find it still stiff and sore. She hadn't slept in over three days, but there was still so much to do. The thought of what was about to happen next exhilarated her, infusing her with a renewed sense of purpose.
It was time to awaken the army...her army.
Her gaze locked on the emerald glowing ball that shined brightly from atop the stone dais. Her red eyes began to gleam the same ominous shade of green, matching its intensity as she slowly began to make her way towards it.
It was as if there was a thin invisible thread tugging on her soul, drawing her towards it and connecting her with the Underworld. She felt a sudden flutter in her abdomen that took her by surprise, her hand unconsciously moving to cover it.
Feeling the swell of her belly, Kahlan looked down, pausing as sudden understanding washed through her. She was stunned by the movement of the baby that grew within her, her mind becoming a swirling vortex, so muddled and murky. She placed her other hand over her abdomen as memories fought to reach the surface of her mind, trying to break through the wall that Scai had constructed in her subconscious.
She was with child.
Bewilderment filled her face as tears collected in her eyes. She fought to remember, desperate to know whose child she carried. It wasn't her master's baby. She would've known if it was his. It would've been part of her unconscious awareness of him that lived within her soul and in her mind.
No, this baby belonged to another. But who?
Her heart started to hammer as memories began to slice through the dense haze in an attempt to force her to remember what had been locked away, to set free what had been forced into captivity. Her breath caught in her chest with another sudden movement by the baby.
She felt so disoriented as she frantically began to look about her at her surroundings, suddenly wondering how she had gotten to Solairna. Her rage flared like a volcano set to explode with the sudden innate need to protect this child, the instinct awakening from deep within her. It was hidden away where Scai could not yet reach, his magic still battling the powerful magic of the Blood Rage.
A low growl rose up from her throat as she gritted her teeth, a sneer twisting her lips as the ConDar thundered through her veins. No one would get close to this baby. No one would hurt this precious life that she carried. She would protect it with her own life, confessing any and all who came near her.
"Kahlan Rahl!" Scai bellowed, his voice vibrating through her, paralyzing her where she stood. "It is time!"
Kahlan's hands twisted into fists as she battled the magic of the Underworld that coursed through her, the power of her master over her. She gripped her head, trying to force him away, but the pain rolling through her was too intense to bear.
She could feel her body being forced against her will towards the floor in submission to her master's command. A scream escaped through clenched teeth as she pressed her hands even tighter against the sides of her head, her knees buckling and forcing her to the ground.
"You will do as I say! You will obey me, Confessor!"
Kahlan couldn't catch her breath as she fought against him. She felt as if she was being torn to shreds as two powerful forms of magic did battle for control. The electric shock that shot through her was excruciating as her entire body trembled beneath the forces warring within, a piercing pain settling into the very marrow of her bones that she was certain would cause them to crack and splinter.
"Obey me, Kahlan Rahl!"
"Yes…my lord…" she finally whispered.
"Very good, my Confessor. It is time to begin."
Kahlan gasped as the pain suddenly began to fade, the forces holding her to the ground abruptly releasing her and setting her free. With shaky legs, she managed to stand to her feet, her eyes fixed on her destination once more.
Her desire to please her master was suddenly overwhelming again as she placed one foot in front of the other, her gait deliberate as she climbed the stone steps to her final destination.
XXX
"Watch out!" Richard yelled, being brought to an abrupt halt as fire erupted from the rifts that had suddenly split the earth like an intricate mass of spider webs, smoke belching into the air and creating a thick suffocating fog.
Nicci began to cough, the sulfuric stench of the Underworld burning her nostrils as she quickened her pace in an effort to avoid another fissure that was cracking open right in front of her. She knew that the madness that was erupting right here was nothing compared to the destruction that was coming if Scai was allowed to escape...if he hadn't already.
"Lord Rahl!" Rachel cried as she raced towards him, the ground splitting violently beside him.
Richard had no chance to run as the ground quickly began to crumble beneath his boots, causing him to lose his balance. He suddenly felt himself falling, his legs giving way as the earth collapsed beneath him.
"Richard!" Nicci screamed, raising her hands and releasing her magic to grab hold of him, but it was too late. He vanished from sight as he fell backwards into the expansive chasm, emerald flames shooting up into the sky.
"Lord Rahl!" Rachel yelled as she ran to the edge of the gaping maw.
Finding him hanging onto a piece of rock a few feet down, Rachel immediately lay on the ground, stretching out to reach him.
"Get back!" he ordered her.
"Grab my hand!" she shouted above the violent chaos that had erupted around them.
The earth shook, creating a shower of dirt and small rocks to fall down on him. Thunder continued to snarl as lightning repeatedly assaulted the ground causing rocks to explode into treacherous shards that were sent hurling through the air like hundreds of arrows.
Rachel's fingertips were just a breath away from his, their eyes locked onto one another as she silently beseeched him to grab hold. Just then, a warm tingling sensation encompassed him, wrapping around him like a comforting blanket and raising him up out of the pit.
Leaping to her feet, Rachel turned back to find Nicci standing beside her, her hands out stretched before her as she used her magic to save the Seeker. The Mord'Sith grabbed hold of Richard's hand as he cleared the fissure, pulling him safely onto solid ground.
"Behind you!" he yelled, gasping for breath.
Nicci and Rachel both spun around to find a dozen D'Haran soldiers streaming out of the temple towards them, brandishing swords. Rachel grabbed her agiel, fisting it tightly in her hand in preparation for battle. Without waiting for them to get any closer, she ran to meet them, hoping to keep them away from her Lord Rahl.
Richard cursed under his breath at the sight. He been so preoccupied by the army that Kahlan had been prophesied to raise from the Underworld that he hadn't considered her bringing her own army of confessed soldiers with her to Solairna as well.
He had hoped that the confessed had been small in number, safely contained back at the People's Palace but he had just been proven wrong. Even from where he lay on the ground catching his breath, he could see the sneers fixed on the soldiers' faces, determination to protect their mistress enveloping them as they ran towards him.
He didn't want to fight his own men especially since they were under Kahlan's control. At the same time, he had to get to his wife and put a stop to this before it was too late.
"Don't hurt them unless absolutely necessary!" Richard put his hand to the side of his mouth, shouting to them over the thunder as he got to his feet. "They are not in control of themselves!"
Rachel dropped the first soldier with a slam of her agiel into his thick neck, the sound of cracking bones dulled by the thunder roaring overhead. Nicci immediately responded to the threat, releasing blasts of air that sent some of the soldiers flying backwards onto the ground and out of their way.
Reaching for his boot, Richard drew his dagger, expertly slicing quickly and hitting his intended target. Blood began to pour from the wound on the soldiers arm as his sword fell uselessly to his feet. Scooping up the sword, Richard continued to injure one at a time without causing series harm.
Richard breathed heavily as he finished with the last man, his raptor gaze so dark and full of anger fixated on the temple before him. Ominous jade light glowed from within, casting sinister shadows on the ground around it. Kahlan was in there.
"Stay out here," he instructed them without even turning to face them. "I'm the only one immune to Kahlan's magic. If she sees you, she'll confess you."
"I won't let you go in there alone," Nicci heatedly replied as she grabbed hold of his arm.
"And I can't let you two near Kahlan," he yelled, not in the mood for arguing. He just wanted to get inside and end this now. "If I fail, you are our last hope, Nicci. If you're confessed or killed by Kahlan, then it's all over and Scai will win for certain.
"Besides, I need Rachel alive to give Kahlan the breath of life if I have to..." Richard's voice trailed off, suddenly unable to finish the horrifying thought.
"Fine," she scowled, her blond hair whipping wildly in the gusting wind, knowing deep down that he was right. "But I'll be right outside here. If I even think that you are in trouble, I'm coming in after you."
The Seeker stared at her for a long moment before finally nodding his head in agreement. He was only going to get one shot at this. Rain began to pour down as the heavens seemed to split open, the wind driving it in sheets that beat against everything it came in contact with.
Richard raced inside of the temple, coming to an immediate stop as soon as he entered, a sword still clutched tightly in his hand. The room was bathed in a bright green glow that emanated from the center of the dais where Kahlan now stood with her back to him.
Wind spun like a violent cyclone around the dais, the top of the platform where she stood completely calm like the eye of a tornado. His hand instinctively released the weapon, allowing it to fall to the floor with a clank. He refused to use it against Kahlan.
He carefully began to make his way towards her, unsure how best to approach her. She seemed to be completely consumed with what she was doing as green streaks of light spewed forth from the orb, oblivious to the fact that he was even there. He leaned into the gale that attempted to force him back as he made his way to her. He was not going to be stopped from getting to her this time.
He could see his sword in its scabbard safely strapped to her back. It brought him a sense of relief to see it. It was like seeing an old friend again after a lifetime of separation.
Normally, he would have been relieved to see his weapon in his wife's possession. This time, however, it brought no comfort, only dread.
Keeping his eyes locked on her, Richard forced his way to the top as Kahlan concentrated on the orb on the platform, her hands hovering around it. It was as if she was in a trance of some sort, communicating with Scai in the Underworld or the army she was working to release.
Just as he stepped onto the platform, Kahlan suddenly turned towards him, her fiery gaze burning through him and causing a shiver to race up his spine. Her lip pulled back into a sneer at the sight of him, her hand immediately stretched out towards him as if to confess him.
"Kahlan, wait!" he cried, holding his hands up before him. "Kahlan, it's me. It's Richard. You have to listen to me."
A vicious growl emanated from her throat, her chest beginning to heave. Her eyes flamed, darkening and yet still glowing brightly as she took a threatening step towards him. No acknowledgement or recognition filled her gaze as she stared at him. Gone was the love for him that had always resided there.
Now, there was nothing was cold hatred and rage.
"Kahlan, please!" he tried again, taking a step back. He may be immune to her Confessor's magic, but he could still be affected by the powerful magic that Scai had imparted to her. "It's Richard…your husband. I love you, Kahlan. You have to listen to me."
"Don't listen to him, Kahlan Rahl! You belong to me!"
Richard watched as conflict momentarily flashed across her face. Scai was speaking to her, filling her head with lies.
"Kill him and send him to me! I have plans for Richard Rahl."
In one fluid movement, Kahlan reached behind her, drawing the Sword of Truth from its scabbard, its ring filling the air. She gripped it tightly in her hands, pointing it directly at the Seeker.
"Kahlan, you have to fight it!" Richard heatedly said, his heart pounding at the deadly intent now etched in her face. "Don't let Scai win!"
Richard watched as she flinched with his words, the magic of the sword inundating and overwhelming her. The conflict warring inside of her rose to the surface causing her to tighten her grip on the sword. Her cheeks flushed red, the fine lines around her eyes tightening with the pain that continued to build.
He knew that she wasn't going to be able to handle the fury of the weapon combined with the rage of the ConDar already heating her blood. He feared it would kill her if he didn't get that sword out of her hands.
"Drop the sword," he demanded as she looked down at the weapon in her hands. "Kahlan, look at me. You have to let go of the sword before it kills you."
Kahlan gritted her teeth against the heated fury that began to overpower her, sweat breaking across her furrowed brow as she began to shake.
Without a second thought, Richard lunged at her, knocking the sword out of her hands. She snarled at him, enraged to have lost the weapon. She immediately drew her dagger from her boot, Richard doing the same.
He didn't want to come to this, but he had no choice now, not with an enraged Confessor trying to kill him and Scai controlling her every action.
"I don't want to fight you, Kahlan," he angrily growled as she dove at him, her dagger slicing through the air.
Richard quickly blocked her move, causing her to stumble back before coming at him again. He twisted, missing her thrust. Spinning, he quickly wrapped his arms around her to restrain her. He panted heavily, his lips against her ear as he held her tight.
"Kahlan, I know you're still in there somewhere. You have to fight him for me."
Kahlan struggled against his powerful hold on her, attempting to escape, but he had her pinned up against him with her arms trapped at her sides.
"It's Richard," he pleaded with her again, his voice suddenly so low and husky against her ear. "I love you, Kahlan…forever."
Kahlan suddenly froze, no longer fighting against him to break free. Something changed inside of her.
"Richard?" she softly gasped as recognition suddenly broke through the black fog like a tiny beacon of light.
"Yes, I'm right here. I came to save you and the baby, but you have to fight against Scai's hold on you."
"Baby?" she whispered, confusion like a violent storm roiling through her mind.
"Yes, Kahlan…our baby…our son."
"Kahlan Rahl! You must obey me! Kill him!"
Kahlan screamed out in pain, shaking her head against the voice that cut through her like a fiery blade. "Richard…please…kill me…" she cried as tears began to leak from her eyes.
"No!" Richard yelled at her, tightening his hold on her, pressing her length fully against him. "I won't kill you, Kahlan!"
"You have to…" she sobbed. "It's the only way to end this. I can't fight him. He's too strong!"
"NO! You are mine!"
Before Richard could respond, Kahlan broke free from his hold on her with a sudden strength that she had not possessed before. She spun on her heel, her blade slicing through his arm, causing him to cry out in pain.
"Richard!" Nicci screamed as she and Rachel raced into the temple.
Kahlan turned at the sound of the sorceress, her hand immediately stretching out to confess them. A wicked smirk spread across her face.
"This is the end for you and your friends, Seeker," she sneered as she momentarily glanced at Richard, her voice no longer her own but Scai's now.
"Kahlan! No!" Richard screamed.
Everything seemed to move in slow motion as he leapt towards her, knowing beyond a doubt what it was that he had to do stop this madness once and for all. Swallowing back his heart that was suddenly in his throat, he thrust his dagger deep into Kahlan's chest, a piercing cry of anguish spilling from his lips with his action.
Richard immediately grabbed hold of her as she collapsed, lowering her carefully to the ground. He cradled her in his arms as he held her against him. He could barely see her through the wash of tears that instantly collected in his eyes as he buried his face in hair. His world was fading away in his arms.
"It's alright…Richard…" she gasped. "It was the only way…"
Kahlan began to cough violently, fighting for every breath she drew. This could be her last few moments with the man that she loved more than anything.
"Kahlan, no," Richard wept. "You stay with me, Kahlan Rahl. Don't leave me!"
"I love you…Richard…forever…" she whispered as she gazed up into his chocolate brown eyes filled with tears. "I'm…so sorry…"
"Kahlan!" he cried, tears streaming down his cheeks as he stared into her blue eyes that suddenly became so dull and lifeless.
