Chapter XXXVI Chances

"Captain. Captain, the girl." someone tried to call his attention away from Cara. When Ben didn't stir, the private grabbed his shoulder. "She'll die if we don't find her." At the thought of Aria's death, Ben inhaled deeply and straightened his back.

"Some of you stay behind and take her back to Aidyndril. The rest of us will continue to look for the Confessor." Ben stated, a blank expression on his face. His men could clearly see the worry etched on his face and wisely chose to ignore it. They saluted and a handful of men moved to take Cara from his arms. Reluctantly, Ben stepped away and watched them as they carried Cara's body towards the city. He glanced at the remaining men and nodded. Immediately, each took off a run. The delay could have easily cost the girl her life; Ben couldn't wait any longer. They had to find her soon or Aria would certainly die.

The howling of the wind had stopped. She wasn't sure how long ago but she knew Cara had left. Aria couldn't remember why. Did she leave because of me? She thought to herself. A slight panic grew in her belly as she mulled the thought over. This is all my fault. If anything happened to Cara or Hayden, if they died, it would be her fault completely. The thought made Aria tremble even more. She placed a hand on her wound and winced. Blood continued to pour down her side and pool around her, encircling her in a circle of red. She was so tired, more tired than she had ever been. Maybe she should close her eyes. Yes, that sounded good. Just for a little while; until Cara returned for her. Aria almost smiled at the idea. Yes, sleep would be good. She didn't realize that her eyes had closed; her vision had turned dark hours ago. Aria heard her body fall to the ground but didn't feel it. How good it felt to rest…even if it was just for a moment. By the time Cara gets back, Aria knew she'd be well rested enough to travel. Yes, good idea.

Her arm was numb. No wait, her whole body was numb. Light shone through the entrance of her cave, a figure was blocking the rays from hitting her face. She couldn't tell who it was, everything was blurry. Had she slept too long? Had Cara left without her? No, no Cara wouldn't do that. The figure was speaking but Aria couldn't really distinguish the words. Most not be that important, she thought. Someone took hold of her shoulders and sat her straight as she had been before. How many hours ago was that again? It didn't matter. Fingers were pressed against her neck; they were so warm Aria almost shuddered. Someone took her arm and wrapped it around their shoulders and suddenly, a wave of pain exploded through her body. She gasped; her eyes snapping open but still unable to see clearly. Aria's first urge was to fight. What if the men had come back to finish what they started? Panic rose in her chest causing her breathing to quicken. A voice spoke to her, a calm male voice. Hayden? No, Hayden was probably dead; dead because of her. She let her head hang off the man's body, not caring about anything, even if she lived or died. If Hayden was gone, what else was there to live for?

"Aria, it's alright." Ben tried to calm the girl in his arms. When she realized someone was picking her up, Aria went rigid, like a lion ready to pounce. Had she been able to move, Ben was sure she would have attacked him. "It's Ben. We're here to bring you home. Just sleep. Everything's alright." Somehow, Ben found himself believing his own lie. Chances were that at least one of the three would die this night. A silent tear trickled down his cheek as he swore to find and kill every man who had hurt his family.

Kahlan felt like she was in a warzone. One by one, the bodies of her closest friends were being carted in by weary D'Haran soldiers. Part of her wanted to reprimand the men for taking so long to find them but she knew that that was highly impractical. It was a miracle that two had been found in time. When a handful of soldiers sped in carrying Hayden on their shoulders, Kahlan was sure that the women were right behind him. Cara arrived two hours after the boy. When Aria failed to show up hours after Cara, Kahlan feared the worst. At first, she went from room to room, watching as healers and Zedd tried everything in their power to awaken the two. Nothing worked. Although their physical wounds had been mostly healed, the cold had taken quite a toll on both Hayden and Cara. While Cara's bodily damage had been extensive, Kahlan deduced that she had at least found shelter from the snow storm. Hayden was left in the cold for hours and although his concussion was minor, there was no guarantee his body could recover the heat it had lost.

"Where is she?" Kahlan cried out, shattering the silence that hung in the room.

"I don't know Kahlan." Richard admitted. "But I'm sure they'll find her."

"What if you're wrong? Richard, what if you're wrong?!" Kahlan sank into a chair as she saw Richard come to comfort her. "Don't." she told him. Ignoring her, he kept on coming and eventually kneeled in front of her. Richard took her hands in his and squeezed.

"They're going to find her. I know it." Richard assured his wife. Kahlan nodded, tears flowing freely now, as Richard held her to his chest. His heart shattered for the lives that were threatened tonight but seeing Kahlan in such agony destroyed him from the inside out. Soon enough, Kahlan allowed her emotions to take over and started to violently shake with sobs. Richard did the only thing he could: he cried with her.

Minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

"Yes?" Both Richard and Kahlan stood up immediately. Raina strode in, a sullen look on her face.

"They found her." Was all she said. Confused, the couple shared a look. Raina had turned and began leading them towards where Aria had been taken.

"Raina!" Kahlan spun the woman around and latched herself onto one of the buckles on the woman's leather. She refused to ask what she needed to know. Thankfully, Raina saw the question in the woman's eyes.

"She's alive." She said, her expression never faltering. Seeing the bright look on the Mother Confessor's face, Raina felt compelled to warn her. "But it doesn't look good. I'm sorry Kahlan."

"What? Sorry for what?" Kahlan stuttered.

"The wizard," Raina sighed. "He doesn't think she's going to make it. She lost a lot of blood. I'm sorry." She repeated. Kahlan was surprised to see that the Mord'Sith meant it. Raina's eyes shined with tears that weren't permitted to fall. She blamed herself and as far as Kahlan was concerned, she should. She released her grip on the woman's leather and ordered her to tell her where Aria was. Leaving the grieving Mord'Sith behind, Kahlan flew down the hallways, Richard on her heels. Once Kahlan reached the room the soldiers had brought Aria to, she halted almost causing Richard to crash into her.

"What if she…" Kahlan closed her eyes.

"You have to see her Kahlan." It sounded to her like Richard had already accepted that Aria was going to die. She had the sudden desire to turn and scream at him but the door opened and Zedd came flying out.

"Kahlan! Richard!" he cried.

"What's happened? Is she alright?" Kahlan eased towards the wizard.

"I was just coming to get you."

"Don't…don't tell me she…" Silent tears made their way down Kahlan's face. Zedd brushed them away.

"No dear one, our Aria is still alive." He assured her with a smile. Kahlan attacked the old man by wrapping her arms around his neck. Zedd swayed and had to be steadied by Richard but chuckled regardless. Kahlan's concern for her sister was beyond touching. "You should go see her." Kahlan nodded. She moved past Zedd and entered the room. Upon seeing Aria in such a fragile state, a cry escaped Kahlan's lips. Richard placed his hand on the small of her back and eased her forward. Kahlan took a seat and grabbed Aria's hand. She squeezed, waiting for a response. Nothing came.

I'd like to report that I wrote the last half of this chapter while fighting a hangover. Deeply sorry for any mistakes or whatnot. REVIEW PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEE! I need them like air.