Gorge
Richard clung to Kahlan with desperate hands. One of his nails bent backwards, the acute pain making him wince. But he would not let go of her. Either they were both staying on the unicorn, or they were both coming off.
A growl and a snap from behind them, along with the sound of heavy paws. They were being pursued by the wolves. Would the creatures harm Kahlan? He just couldn't be sure.
Strength renewed, Richard released his grip on Kahlan with one hand, quickly shifting his center of gravity to get one leg back over the unicorn's back, his arm coming to wrap around Kahlan's waist. Veins stood out in his neck, his face red with the effort it took to accomplish that feat.
A massive wolf came abreast with Sepina on the left, tongue hanging from its mouth. It dove toward them, attempting to crash into the unicorn.
Sepina screamed an awful equine scream, lightly jumping sideways to avoid the weight of the wolf.
Richard stared, his limbs frozen.
Was that Darken and Cara on the back of the beast?
Sepina screamed again, dodging back toward the wolf that carried the rulers of D'Hara, this time driven by a wolf on the right. Richard turned his head to see a ragged Jennsen and determined Haden riding the beast.
He held on, disturbed that Kahlan did not react to the sight of their companions riding the wolves.
"Hang on, Richard!" Cara called to him.
Directed by their riders, the two massive wolves began to herd the unicorn, jumping and snapping at her to force her to turn, leading her away from the chaos surrounding the temple, back toward the almost abandoned encampment of the Brotherhood.
"Brother!"
Darken looked over the harried unicorn and its passengers to see Jennsen point.
"That's him! He's trying to get away!"
And indeed it was Jarl, creeping like a worm into the woods. The Brotherhood had made a grave mistake sending the wolves into the tower. The close confines of its halls restricted the movement of the massive beasts, allowing the Mord'Sith and soldiers within to pick them off at leisure before spilling from the tower under cover of Wizard's Fire. The tide had turned and the serpent was fleeing.
"After him!" Darken ordered.
Skull and Helhati obliged, forcing Sepina to turn in the direction Jarl had taken.
The unicorn bounded from side to side, trying to break free of the wolves that hemmed her in. But she was tired and carrying two passengers – she could not outmaneuver them. Kahlan did not even struggle anymore; she simply kept her fingers tangled in Sepina's mane, staring blankly ahead.
The man in monk robes that Jennsen had identified as the leader of the Brotherhood grew closer, though he tried to run when he realized he was being pursued. Skull and Helhati closed in tighter on Sepina, keeping her on a straight course for the trees.
Jarl broke into a sprint, ornate robes tangling his legs, the heavy tabard of office that looked so impressive now weighing on his neck, soaked with fear sweat. He didn't know how they had done it, but those undesirables, those demons had managed to corrupt even the godly children of Tyrn! Was there no end to their villainy? How else could he explain the Fenrisulfr turning on him, he who was Tyrn's earthly messenger?
He knew no thought other than escape, weaving and winding among trees. He had to save the world, to bring about Tyrn's perfect order.
Without him it was impossible. Without him there would be no one to guide the Virgin Mother, to recruit the righteous to the cause.
He was indispensible.
He skidded to a halt, finely made sandals scrabbling for purchase as loose rocks and brush tumbled over the edge of the gorge that cut across his path. It was a crack, an open wound in the earth reminiscent of the pits of green fire that had spread through the Midlands until Tyrn had defeated the false gods and sealed the veil.
Jarl turned, searching the woods. He could hear them coming. He could hear the howls, hear their panting. He could sense their wickedness.
Sepina burst from the trees, running full tilt at the gorge. Jarl scrambled from her path, falling to his knees in the dirt.
The unicorn's feet met air, for a comical moment seemed to hover, and then began to plummet.
Jarl smiled, happy that Sepina was at least taking the bewitched Confessor and her love slave over the edge with her.
But they did not fall. They hung in the air as if held by an invisible force. The hand of a god.
The wolves burst into the clearing, snarling and snapping. The Witch King sat astride a wolf, his red-leathered demon behind him. He held out a hand, making a pulling motion.
The two hovering over the edge of oblivion were hurled to earth, landing hard, the stolen power of the Witch King bringing them to safety.
Jarl spat.
Richard stood, pulling the motionless Kahlan up with him, despair in every line of his face. He had thought the death of the unicorn would bring his love back to him, but there she stood, an empty shell.
Haden slid from the back of Skull, then helped Jennsen down, Cara and Darken dismounting as well. They set the wolves to watch Jarl, not considering him a threat as they all gathered around Kahlan.
Richard cupped her cheek, tears in his eyes as he said her name.
She stared blankly ahead, lost inside the fog of her mind.
Jarl knelt, muttering prayers under his breath, his hands steepled before his lips. Skull and Helhati watched, licking their chops.
Darken stepped forward, reaching out a hand. Richard stopped him.
"What are you going to do?" he demanded, face black.
Fathomless eyes, unnatural silence.
"Peace, brother. I will see if I can release her from the magic that holds her mind."
Richard let go of Darken's arm.
Darken touched her temple, inhaling deeply through his nose to find his center.
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