"Those blasted guards wouldn't let me in, they said that I needed permission from the Mother Confessor." Chase crossed his arms and the rest of his family piled into the room, Emma holding Isaac and Laura holding Rebecca's hand.
Kahlan's eyebrows furrowed, but realization hit her when she remembered that Chase didn't know of the Midlands, of Confessors and Seekers and wizards.
"They say she's taken the Seeker of Truth as her mate," Chase sighed, scratching the back of his head. "What a shame. From what I've heard, confessors are supposed to be truthful and just, yet this Mother Confessor has taken a heroic man as her slave." Chase looked between Kahlan and Richard, his eyebrow rising. Kahlan pursed her lips, looking down to the ground.
A guard came rushing in, panting. "Mother Confessor, I apologize. He's stronger than he looks," the guard casted a side long glance at Chase before returning his gaze to Kahlan.
"It's fine, you are never to deny this man or his family entrance again. Please pick up the rest of your men," Kahlan looked past the guard, seeing four other guards slumped against the walls and cursing. "And tend to them." The guard nodded and rushed out of the room, closing the door behind him.
"Aha! I knew it!" Chase smiled, taking long strides to meet Richard. The two hugged and Emma shuffled up to Kahlan, offering Isaac to her. Kahlan smiled, taking the baby from her. Emma looked exhausted, and she no doubt had to take care of the babe for the majority of the journey - she deserved a break.
"Already passing our youngest to Kahlan?" Chase joked as he separated from Richard, moving to meet Kahlan. Emma made a remark under her breath and Chase laughed. "You look quite worn out, dear. Richard should be more considerate." Chase winked and Kahlan laughed, oddly not embarrassed by the statement.
Rebecca quickly separated from Laura, rushing over to Rachel. Rebecca was more steady in her steps, and was obviously learning to become more mobile. It must have been a nightmare for them when they traveled. Kahlan smiled to herself, rocking Isaac and listening to him make soft cooing noises.
"I'm Rebecca," the green eyed girl said, smiling brightly.
"I'm Rachel," she responded with just as much enthusiasm.
Richard watched the girls interact from the corner of his eye and smiled. He saw Rachel introduce Albert to Rebecca, and Albert had a look of horror upon his face. Then the two girls grabbed his hands and ran off, Emma shouting to deaf ears.
"She's talking," Richard smiled, approaching Chase and Emma.
"She's a Brandstone," Chase simply stated. "All Brandstone's are exceptionally intelligent, you should know this Cypher." Richard laughed and Emma scoffed, lightly hitting her husband with the back of your hand.
"With the exception of the father," Laura smiled, joining the group. Chase huffed and Emma laughed, whispering something to Laura.
Zedd leaned against the wall, observing. Richard and Kahlan had nearly forgotten he was in the room, and Richard quickly gestured for the old man to come over.
"This is Zedd," Richard spoke, his eyes apologizing for not including Zedd sooner. Chase nodded and introduced himself, and soon him and Zedd were talking of nonsense. Emma and Laura joined the conversation.
Richard looked over to Kahlan, who was slowly pacing around the room, patting Isaac's leg like he had done when the boy fussed in Kahlan's arms so long ago at the Brandstone residence. He smiled, loving how natural she now looked with the babe. She no longer looked timid or scared.
"You are going to make a wonderful mother," Richard smiled as she turned around, startled at the communication. She was obviously deeply concentrated on the infant.
"You really think so?" Kahlan asked, looking down at Isaac and smiling.
Richard wrapped an arm around her shoulders, kissing her hair. "If you can handle a Brandstone child, you can handle anything." Kahlan laughed, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at him. He thought he couldn't be more ecstatic to have a child with Kahlan, but he was now even more excited.
The group walked up to the two, Emma and Laura chatting to each other and Zedd and Chase going on about some subject.
"Emma scolds me, she says I don't leave enough food for the children."
"Well, the children should get to the food faster!"
"That's exactly what I said! Even Richard has said I'm a bottomless pit."
"He criticizes you as well? Tssk, tssk, my boy. You should never question a mans eating habits." Zedd smiled and Richard laughed. Kahlan was too involved with Isaac to notice the conversation that was happening.
"If you two would bond over anything, it would be your appetites. How are we going to find enough food to feed the both of you, not to mention the rest of Aydindril?" Chase and Zedd laughed, shaking their heads.
"Cypher?" Chase said slowly, stepping forward and intently watching Kahlan.
"Chase?" Richard asked cautiously, his brows furrowing.
"Is that a wedding band I see on Kahlan's finger?"
Kahlan popped her head up, looking around the room. She had heard her name and was drawn out of her haze, but she had no idea what they were talking of, just that Chase was quite close to her and scrutinizing her with his eyes.
"Yes, yes it is." Richard simply stated, and Emma and Laura both began squealing, enveloping Richard in their arms. He tried to breathe, but the two women were cutting off his oxygen.
"So I was right?" Chase smiled.
Kahlan shook her head and smiled, looking down as Isaac began wriggling in her arms. She began to slowly pace the room again, her attentions focused on the infant boy.
"Yes, you were," Richard sighed, waiting for Chase to scold him about ever doubting his old friend. Instead, Chase hugged him once again, congratulating him. Emma and Laura moved towards Kahlan, and the three conversed for a small amount of time before the two women came back and joined conversation with Richard and Chase. Zedd had wandered off and began pacing along with Kahlan.
"You look natural with a wee one, my dear." Zedd spoke softly, reaching a withered hand to ruffle the hair on the top of Isaac's head. Kahlan nodded. Spirits, she wanted her own children so badly. As if reading her thoughts, Zedd rested a hand on Kahlan's back. "Do not worry, you and Richard will have many children." Kahlan smiled and nodded, thanking the old man for his words.
"So, Chase, why exactly are you here?" Richard's initial excitement over seeing the Brandstone's had faded, and now he desperately wanted to know why they journeyed all the way from Hartland to Aydindril.
"Your brother has lost his mind," Chase stated, waving his hands about. "He now follows this Lord Rahl fellow, and we all must attend 'devotions,' it's quite ridiculous. We decided it was high time for us to come visit our old friend, the most sane of the remaining Cyphers."
Kahlan stopped her pacing, her eyes turning cold as she glared at the family. She didn't mean for the glare to be directed towards them, but since Chase had given the news, he had received it. Richard cocked his head to the side, biting his lip. Suddenly, he had a headache. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
Kahlan clenched her jaw and began pacing around the room once again. She mumbled under her breath as she comforted the child, who was now beginning to wail, as if he knew of the horrible news.
"So you brought your family through the boundary to find him?" Zedd questioned, stepping forward. "Quite the journey. How did you know where to Richard was?"
"Well, I described him and the company he kept," he looked between Zedd and Kahlan. "And I was quickly informed of a man of similar appearance with the title of the Seeker of Truth, and a woman with the same build and features who was the Mother Confessor herself. Also of an old man who was scrawny, who happened to be a Wizard of the First Order. You can imagine my surprise."
Richard and Zedd nodded, and Kahlan took deep breaths, approaching the group. Emma took Isaac, who was now calm and slumbering. Kahlan sighed. Richard grabbed for her hand, kissing her knuckles.
Chase waved his hands in the air. "All that matters if that we have found you, and to find you happy and together." Chase put a hand on Kahlan's shoulder and locked his eyes to hers. "So, when shall I be expecting little Cyphers? They will surely be a handful. Much worse than a Brandstone. Brandstone's are the easiest children to take care of."
Emma laughed. "Sure, when the mother is the one taking care of the children. Brandstone's are only easy to take care of when someone else does it for you." Chase dropped his jaw in mock shock.
"I help with the children!"
"You help make them." Emma stated, crossing her arms.
Richard laughed. He always loved observing the banter between the couple. He knew all too well that Chase did indeed help with the children, and always was there to offer a hand to Emma when she needed one. Yet, it was always amusing when Emma criticized Chase for his lack of parenting.
"Well," Zedd spoke before Richard could. "The two have been locked up in their room for days. I'm sure a child will soon be on the way."
Chase laughed and nodded, pleased with the answer. Kahlan leaned into Richard and Richard wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Laura babbled about wedding plans and Emma tried to calm her down. Zedd smiled, starting to complain about hunger.
A door opened and mumbling was heard, causing them all to turn around. The room bursted out into laughter.
Albert was cursing under his breath, a paint like substance all over his face. He had a red cloak on, and chunky wooden jewelry resided on his neck and wrist. Rachel and Rebecca were each holding a hand and dragging him into the room.
"I see Rachel showed Rebecca where the children's play room is," Kahlan smiled, trying to hold in her laughter at Albert's appearance. Richard, however, didn't bother trying to mask his amusement.
"Daddy, see!" Rebecca ran up, grabbing Chase's hand and pulling him towards Albert, as if Chase couldn't see the man from his previous position.
"Very good, Rebecca. You two made quite the improvement," Chase laughed with the girls while Albert scowled.
"So," all heads turned towards Zedd. "When is dinner?"
