Chapter Forty-Nine

"Is that . . . " Nikolas began to ask, staring at the blonde Mord-Sith.

"Denna." Richard's voice cracked as he said her name, and Nikolas saw something strange pass across his face. Kahlan seemed to see it too, and know what it was. She took his hand, which Richard looked down to stare at, surprised.

"Yes, yes. We all have some sort of history with Denna, but the point is, that we need to divide up the kingdoms. It worked for years, why won't it work here?" Darken Rahl's voice dragged Nikolas away from his uncle and wife's interaction.

"And how do you propose we divide up the kingdoms?" Nikolas asked.

"I would take D'Hara – " Darken was cut off by protests from around the room. "Let me finish!" He yelled, quieting everyone. "I would take D'Hara, because it is my right as the oldest Rahl, besides, you must be with your wife in the Midlands, Nikolas, and Richard." A pause, "Well, we all know you never wanted to rule. Go back to being a woods guide or whatever it was you did before Zeddicus and the Mother Confessor dragged you from it."

Nikolas couldn't object; the plan was reasonable. Ruling all three of the lands would become an impossible task, especially if his father was there to present opposition. He turned to see what Richard would say, and then noticed that everyone in the room was staring at Richard. Nikolas couldn't help feeling a sting of jealousy at not being in charge any more.

"You're a tyrant." Richard said weakly to Darken Rahl.

"Come now, brother. It won't be like it used to be, I wouldn't be raising my army to storm the Midlands. I have a son to think of. What kind of position would that put him in?" his father's statement, though it sounded mocking, struck a chord in Nikolas.

Richard was silent. "What do you think, Kahlan?" Nikolas asked quietly.

She turned her head from Richard slowly, and when her gaze finally came to rest on Nikolas, he saw sadness in her eyes. "I think it's a good plan." She sounded defeated, and Nikolas noticed that she had let go of Richard's hand.

"I guess I'll be taking my leave then." Richard said.

"Lord Rahl!" Berdine shouted. She looked between all three of the Rahl's who had turned to stare at her. "What do I do now?"

Richard smiled sadly at her. "Go with which ever Rahl you desire. That's my one condition, brother." Richard spat out the word. "You will not force Mord-Sith to be yours. They are just as honor bound to Nik, as they are to you or me." Nikolas flinched at the nickname.

"Very well." Darken replied. "I wasn't going to leave my son unprotected anyways."

Richard grimaced, and continued to walk out of the room. "Lord Rahl." A soft silken voice made Richard stop in his tracks, and Nikolas thought Richard's knees were about to give out.

"Denna."

"Lord Rahl." The Mord-Sith staggered away from Darken, who looked surprised. "Please allow me to accompany you. I would do anything to protect you, Lord Rahl." Denna staggered to his side and then fell to her knees in front of him.

"Denna." Richard's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Please." She begged. Nikolas noticed Kahlan's disgust.

Richard took Denna's hand and pulled her off the ground. "You are always welcome." He told her, and then they began walking out the door, supporting each other.

"Richard." Kahlan called after him, her voice hard and cold, yet Nikolas heard a glimmer of hope. "Where are you going?"

"Home."