Author's Note: I can see that you are reading this so please take a minute and tell me what you think about it.
Cara woke up to a scream. Kristina lay on the ground, frantically thrashing against some monster that Cara could not see. "Let me go!" cried Kristina. Whimpering, she curled up into a ball on the ground. Cara watched in astonishment as a welt appeared on Kristina's cheek. Cara shook the girl in an unsuccessful attempt to wake her up. With a grunt of frustration Cara picked up Kristina and dunked her head into the stream. Sputtering, Kristina came up for air. She looked around, confused, unsure of where she was. Cara dumped Kristina on the ground. "Let's get moving." said Cara. When Kristina did not rise Cara gave her an encouraging kick. "What are you waiting for?" she exclaimed.
"It's Rahl." whispered Kristina. "He's everywhere. I tried to run but he found me. He will never let me go."
Cara could see the extent to which Lord Rahl terrified and controlled Kristina. They were connected more than Kristina would ever know. Cara marveled at the beauty of her master's plan. Rahl and Cara had trained Kristina themselves, but Rahl made the girl forget that it had happened. This would ensure that Kristina would follow Rahl's plan. She had no say in the matter, only she was not aware of her lack of choice. However, she still remained under his control, provided that Rahl connect with Kristina every three nights through a dream. He was able to enter her dreams because of the potion that he gave her when he had first taken her.
Cara and Kristina rode until they reached the gates of Elmira. A guard asked them their purpose in visiting the city, but in response Cara struck him with her Agiel. "This is all the reason I need." she hissed and hit him again. "However," she continued, "you can be of use to me." Cara gave the man his instructions, to which he would be happy to comply. As the two women and the guard approached the main square, Cara halted. "You are to continue down this road until it forks. Then go left. The first inn that you see is where our friends are residing."
With a sigh, Kristina walked on in the company of the guard. They reached the inn and Kristina told the guard to let her go in first. Kristina walked over to the innkeeper. He was an older, bespectacled man and his clothes were worn but good quality. Kristina gave him a smile. "My brother and his wife arrived here a few days ago with my father. We arranged to meet at your inn in the tavern, but I guess they forgot the time. Could you direct me to their room?"
"I'm sorry," the man replied, "I cannot give out my client's room numbers without their permission."
Kristina's eyes filled with tears. "Please, I need to find them. My father is very ill and my brother and I want to take him from here to Neirren, our hometown, one last time."
The innkeeper felt sorry for the girl and said, "Your family is in room 25 on the second floor. I wish your father the best of health."
"Thank you and may the spirits watch over you." she replied.
Kristina nodded to the guard who had just entered the room. They headed up the steep, wooden stairs until they found the room. "Get this over with." Kristina said bitterly. The guard grabbed her around the waist and pressed his lips to hers. She screamed for help and tried to defend herself. The guard pulled out a knife and held it to Kristina's throat. "Just because the M'ord sith ordered me to do this doesn't mean I'm not going to enjoy myself. Now keep still if you know what's good for you." Kristina's breath caught in her throat as the guard began to unlace her dress. She would not be a victim again. She fought harder, kicking and scratching the guard. He was stronger than she was and pinned her against the wall. The man pulled Kristina's dress up around her waist and began fumbling with his belt buckle. Kristina lunged for the knife as the door behind her slammed open.
The Seeker ran out of his room, the Sword of Truth held high. The guard threw Kristina to the ground and pulled out his own sword to protect himself from the Seeker's attack. At the last moment the Seeker changed the direction of his sword and sliced the guard across the chest. The man knew that he could not stand against the Seeker and fled.
Richard bent down to Kristina and asked, "Are you all right?" She nodded. He reached for her arm to help her up but she flinched when he touched her. Richard led Kristina into the room and shut the door behind them. Kahlan left the bed where Zed lay and ran to Kristina, a look of concern on her face. "You're bleeding." she said. Kristina looked down and realized that she had a gash on her upper arm. In the heat of the moment she had not even felt it.
"Let me tend to that." said Kahlan gently, "You don't want it to get infected."
"It's really fine," protested Kristina, "I can take care of it."
"Don't be silly. You can't wrap a bandage well around your own arm. I insist."
Before Kristina could stop her, Kahlan lifted up Kristina's sleeve and was startled by the shocking array of bruises covering her arm.
"What happened?" asked Kahlan.
"I was thrown from my horse on the way here." was the reply. But Kahlan knew the girl was lying.
"Richard, you clean the wound while I go get some bandages." instructed Kahlan. When Richard went to hold her arm Kristina flinched again. Kahlan could see the fear plainly written all over Kristina's face but attributed it to Kristina's ordeal. However, Kahlan could sense that something was not right, and she was determined to discover whatever Kristina was hiding.