Kahlan stood slumped over the wash basin, splashing water in her face. She inhaled deeply as she looked up into the mirror. She was paler than usual and she felt much weaker. She sighed as she ran her wet hand through her hair, causing the raven strands to become matted to the top of her head. However, she didn't care. She felt sick to her stomach. She swallowed and walked over to the bed, sitting on the edge.
After Rachel's proclamation about Kahlan being the most important thing to Richard, all debates had ceased. Zedd was now convinced that Kahlan was the source of Richard's magic use and was now on a mission to help Richard learn to control the foreign power and use it all will.
The Brandstone's took up residence within the Confessor's Palace, and Kahlan found herself comfortable with their presence. Laura was still babbling about wedding plans, which didn't surprise Kahlan. They were the closest in age, and Laura had yet to be courted by a young man. So, when Laura went on rants about decorations and wedding attire, Kahlan nodded and smiled. However, Kahlan knew her and Richard's ceremony would be much more grand and public than she wished.
Cara had taken a liking to Chase, and the two made quite the odd duo. Emma wasn't concerned with the blonde's constant hovering. Kahlan assumed Cara and Chase got along so well due to their violent nature. Although, Chase's violence was brought on by the need to survive. In a sick, twisted way, Kahlan supposed Cara's was as well.
Rachel became glued to Rebecca and Albert became emersed in his duties with the Aydindril Guard.
Everything seemed to be moving forward, everyone moving forward. Kahlan felt as though she were standing still amongst all the change. It had been three days since Rahl's body had been taken out of the cell and burned. Three days since they all discovered what triggered Richard's magic.
Three days since she had been able to see Richard for more than a moment. And consequently, three days since she last slept.
And now, it was time for her to face the Council and their betrayal. Well, she assumed they had betrayed her. She wasn't quite sure. Somehow, though, she felt as though they played a significant part in Rahl's success in infiltrating the Confessor's Palace.
Kahlan took a deep breath and grabbed the bed post, helping to push herself off the bed. She felt light headed and she had no idea why. Although standing still, everything was spinning. She swallowed past the lump and her throat and walked towards the door, slowly pulling it open.
She rested a hand on her stomach as she walked through the hallways, a vain attempt in trying to settle the churning she felt. She was fortunate that she knew the Confessor's Palace by heart, and that she didn't need her sight in order to get where she needed to be. Kahlan kept her eyes closed the majority of the time, listening for footsteps that would signal and oncoming approach. Luckily, she heard none. She opened her lids when she felt her hand come in contact with the cool metal of the door handles to the Council's chambers.
Kahlan took a deep breath and entered the room.
Evan sat in the middle chair, chin high. Kahlan was disgusted by the sight of him. However, she couldn't tell if she was disgusted with him, or in general. Everything made her feel uneasy lately. She noticed Trevor to Evan's left, and she also took note of how they were looking at her.
She hadn't seen them since the attack from Darken Rahl. Kahlan needed to regain her senses before addressing these men. She had hoped her sickness would fade away with the time, but she was wrong. If anything, she felt even worse. However, she could wait no longer to talk to the councilmen.
The man who had ordered her to bed with Richard sat on Evan's right, his blue eyes glaring at her.
She suddenly felt as though she were more powerful than all these men combined. She had always known she was, but in this moment, in staring at all of them, realizing that the look plastered across all their faces was guilt, everything settled in. She owned these mens lives. And they had tried to barter hers away.
Kahlan's mind cleared instantly.
"Explain yourselves."
"What do you mean, Mother Confessor?" Evan asked, tilting his head.
"Do not play coy with me, councilman. I am not in the mood," her eyes scanned the five men sitting before her. "I suggest you tell me before I lose my temper."
Trevor sat back in his chair, looking down upon her. Kahlan could feel her blood begin to boil under her skin. Lately, her temper had been able to be triggered more often and easily. She didn't realize how much Richard calmed her nerves. But he had been gone studying with Zedd, leaving Kahlan to contemplate and deal with her emotions on her own. She hated that she had become so dependent on Richard.
Yet, she loved it.
When none of the men spoke, Kahlan narrowed her eyes.
"Since you all seem to be at a loss for words, let me refresh your memory," Kahlan began to pace around the room, clasping her hands behind her back. "Darken Rahl, an enemy, mind you, managed to step foot in the Confessor's Palace. He then captured me and proceeded to torture me," Kahlan turned towards them. "Does any of this sound familiar to you?"
She noticed the change in the demeanor of the men. They were all visibly paler and more tense.
"Yet, a large gap is missing in my story. And that, my dear Council, is where you come in." She stepped forward, directly in front of Evan. "You will explain yourselves to me, and you will do it now."
Evan swallowed and gripped the arms of his chair. Kahlan took another step forward, looming over him.
"Mother Confessor, you took the Seeker as a mate!" Trevor's voice rang throughout the room. Kahlan did not care. She glared at Evan, waiting for him to speak.
"That is not relevant." Kahlan simply spoke, leaning forward, bringing her face right before Evan's.
"But it is, Mother Confessor," Evan choked out, trying to lower himself in the chair. "You aren't fit to rule. You know nothing of battle strategy or commanding a kingdom. Spirits, you took our savior as your mate without realizing it."
"So, you brought in the enemy, the man of whom my mate was supposed to defeat, and led him here to take me away and use me as his whore?"
"No." The dark haired man with bright blue eyes said.
"What is your name?" Kahlan redirected her attentions towards him and stepped away from Evan, who let out a heavy breath.
"Marcus." His voice was cold.
"Well, Marcus, what exactly did happen then?"
"We were doomed, Mother Confessor. You don't know how to rule nor did you show any interest in it. You confessed the Seeker. Rahl offered us a deal. He would spare Aydindril and the Council if we turned a blind eye to him coming inside. We didn't know that he was going to steal you away and take you as his whore, we only knew that he wanted inside and that we needed to protect the kingdom. Spirits knows you weren't doing the job."
Kahlan bit the inside of her cheek. She was dangerously close to confessing them all. Or burning them in front of the city. Or both.
"You allowed our enemy into the Confessor's Palace with no question as to why he wanted to come inside? I doubt he would offer such a beneficial deal to the city of Aydindril. Something you are telling me doesn't fit."
She turned towards the rest of the council.
"Does no one care to elaborate?"
Kahlan waited a few minutes, growing irritated with the ringing of silence throughout the room.
"So be it," she turned and flicked her hand in the air. "You are all relieved of your duties, and are banished from Aydindril. I suggest you pack your things quickly and gather your families. If you are not out by nightfall, consequences will be dealt."
"You can't do that!" Marcus shouted, standing up and storming over towards her, grabbing her arm and spinning her around. His grip was tight. "You can't rid us of our job. You may be the highest power in this land, but you have no authority in this matter. The Council was created to advise the Mother Confessor. The Council is above your word."
"I am not just the Mother Confessor, I am Kahlan Amnell. And if you do not remove your hand, you will no longer be Marcus. You will be dead." She glared at him, but he still didn't move. "You are all sorry excuses for men," she moved her eyes along each man. "You don't deserve such high positions. How dare you lay a hand on the Mother Confessor." She yanked her arm from Marcus, whose eyes were fuming.
"Marcus is right, Kahlan Amnell. You can not rid of us." Trevor spoke, his back straight, acting as though he had more power than her.
Kahlan laughed.
"The alternative is death. Perhaps you were the voice of reason for previous confessors, but not for me. You have been disloyal and because of that, I was almost used as a whore for Darken Rahl to create a monster of a child. You have none of my trust, therefore I will not listen to a word any of you have to say. You will do as I say, or I will kill you. It is quite simple."
The Council stood, all swallowing past fear that was obvious. Kahlan began to walk away, but then she stopped as her hand rested on the handle of the door. She turned her head.
"You have lost your rank over nothing, really. The Seeker was never confessed. Although, I am glad I led you to think he was. If not, then Rahl would have had more of an advantage over us. Instead, he assumed Richard would do my bidding because you all affirmed that he was powerless against my magic. Your faults only ended up helping us. For that, I thank you."
"We beg your forgiveness, Mother Confessor." A nameless man spoke.
"Nightfall. If I see any of you after then, I will not be held accountable for my actions."
Kahlan pulled open the door and stepped out.