Legend of the Seeker
The Male Confessed

I would like to thank all that reviewed my last chapter. Yet again, you show how loyal you are by continuing to find interest in a story which has been vacant of Kahlan and Richard. I promise you though, it is for good reason. Those chapters with Zedd and Jessica played important parts in the progression of the story and the arch's that I have planned. I like to add new questions, new twists and spills.

So, with the last chapter ending with Dennee (Kahlan's presumed dead sister) guiding Zedd and Jessica to Kahlan and Richard's location (towards Tamarang), what will happen to them next? Where are Kahlan and Richard? What happened from Richard leaving Zedd to the village of Eden being horrifically burnt? What is the message Nell had for Kahlan?

Questions. No answers… Yet. Here is the brand new chapter which will introduce new characters and old characters. So please, sit back and enjoy. As always, don't forget to review.

Previously, on The Male Confessed: Zedd and Jessica walked through the dead village of Eden. Burnt houses were either blackened or fallen. Jessica, reaching a dead woman, removed a paper from her hand. The house, one wall standing, collapses towards her. Zedd, using his magic, holds it above her head. Before she can run for safety, she's suddenly taken by an unknown stranger. Zedd goes to save her until confronted by thieves. Getting past them, he summons a glowing ball of magic to find where Jessica went. Following it, he finds a piece of Kahlan's confessor dress. Eventually, Zedd winds up underground to where he finds Jessica help captive by a woman who, in the fire, lost her baby girl.
Zedd, with a moving speech, manages to get back Jessica and escape. Outside, and pondering where to go, Jessica makes comment about knowing the name 'Kahlan Amnell'. That her mother, Nell, needed to speak to her. About to leave, the woman who captured Jessica reveals that Richard and Kahlan went north towards the city of Tamarang. Zedd runs off with Jessica when the thieves return. She sends three to follow Zedd whilst telling the other she has plans for her. He calls her, simply, "Mistress Dennee"

Chapter 7
The deprived servant.

The impact thundered through the cold and vacant air. She had to grit her teeth to save herself screaming from the pain that shot through her jaw. The sting, she knew, wouldn't set for a good while. The impact made her dizzy, everything in the small dank room swirling and spinning around her. Blinking to keep composure, she felt another forceful strike which knocked her off her feet. Crashing into a hard uneven surface she felt herself toppling a direction she was unsure about. The second strike had knocked away her senses and she allowed gravity to take lead. What she could manage, she braced herself for the impact she knew was shortly going to transpire.

She could hear distant hollow humming somewhere in the room. Where and from whom she didn't know, only that it was there. As she allowed gravity to do what it must she found herself stopping unexpectedly. Before she could understand what was going on, she screamed with the violent pain in her head. Her hair was gripped tightly and held firmly in place. Her blurred vision begun to repair itself as she saw a black bricked floor. Splattering of fresh blood bore on the floor with small droplets. When she saw another droplet of that red blood she knew it came from her. Her lip was bleeding from the hit she endured. Before she could fully see properly, she was yanked up onto her feet and slammed into the dark cold brick wall once again.

Her back, slamming into it with agony, found her breathing constricted. Her senses slowly begun to return, with sickening apprehension. In front of her stood Princess Violet. She wore her blue silk sparkling dress her mother had given to her as a birthday present. The most expensive dress in all the Midlands. But of course, Princess Violet was not happy, and demanded jewellery to which her mother was only happy to oblige. When the queen ordered for one of her guards to fetch jewellery, he was beheaded because he didn't move quickly enough. With the click of the Queen's fingers the mans head was taken right off. The Princess, despite only being 12, relished in the blood and deaths.

Her mother would make her, religiously, attend every beheading in their city. At times, Princes Violet would be honoured to partake in some of them as a means of experience for when she took up the throne of Tamarang. The princess was always spoilt at the best of times and heartless at others. She always got her way and if she didn't like anyone, by their clothes or looks, she could have them killed. It didn't matter if they had a family. If they were kind and good people. With a simple order they'd be issued for a beheading by the Queen's approval, as always. Violet bore her scornful frown and wore her brown hair in two neat buns tied together with two blue silk ribbons to match her dress. Around her neck were white beads and a golden locket of a oblong containing a photo of herself. The engravement, 'power if in only those that deserve it. Use yours well' was put on by her mother for another birthday. She also wore a pair of short heeled silver shoes.

Her dark azure eyes cut through the young girl in front of her. With her right hand she had the small frightened girl pinned against the wall which stuck out in places from the uneven workmanship. Not by mistake or accident but by the orders of the Queen. The small round room both girls were in was one of many dungeons. The walls were designed to be sharp on the edges and uncomfortable so not one servant or person awaiting a beheading could ever relax. The cold bricked floor was never cleaned and always overrun with rats, feces and urine from those past. It stunk of death and decay, a smell the princess was not accustomed to. She hated being down in the dungeons and only came down when it was absolute necessary. The small quivering girl she held before her was her own personal slave, Rachel. Rachel was but an orphan wondering the streets for food and water to survive when she stumbled across the castle grounds. The Queen, horrified to have such slum and dirt on her grounds, ordered for the girl to be beheaded. Princess Violet however, issued to do it herself, found a more valuable service for the small child- her slave.

The Queen was happy enough to have it done and ordered off the execution. From that day forth, from the age of 10, Rachel had been Princess Violet's slave. She ate when Princess Violet wanted her to eat. She drank when Princess Violet wanted her to drink. She spoke whenever she was spoken to, never before. If she went against any of those rules, even a little, she would be beaten by the princess. The princess demanded that no one touch her servant unless by her command. Violet liked the thought that the pain and injuries across Rachel were of her doing, and no one else's. She could then gloat and show off her achievements around the castle. If anyone felt sorrow for the girl, Rachel never saw it in their faces. She supposed, none could ever show any emotion of the sort for her, or else be beheaded. She didn't hate anyone for never stepping up and helping her around staff especially the queen and the princess. She knew they were worried for their lives. How could she fault someone for that?

"I asked you a question!" barked Princess Violet. Rachel blinked away the sweat and nausea. Rachel had short brown hair which stood in disarray. It was tangled and dirty. Her clothes were of some cheap and itchy fabric which she could only presume to be potato sacks sewn together. She knew they weren't, but they looked like they were. She wore no shoes so her feet were badly dirty and cut from walking across cobles, stones and what knows else. The areas she was made to stay in were never safe so she'd find herself cutting herself. She grew familiar with the dirty floors and smells. She had been living in them for now two years. Rachel had soft brown eyes which now looked into Violet's eyes. She realised then that the hollow humming from before was Princess Violet screaming.

Before she could answer she realised her fatal mistake. Violet let go of her throat and with one forceful swing of her now free right arm, slapped Rachel across the face with the back of her hand. Rachel fell with ease onto the dirty floor inches from some fresh rat droppings. Almost gagging, her hair was forcefully pulled on and made to stand up right. Her jaw throbbed from the three strikes she had now felt. She felt like the room would cave in, she wanted it too as well.

"I'm sorry princess Violet" said Rachel, bowing her head. Violet let her go and clicked her fingers. A large guard, wearing dark armour, carried a golden chain which Violet snatched from the soldier's hands. Opening the neck hoop she drove it into Rachel's throat and locked it behind. Rachel blinked from the snapping click of the chain as Violet grabbed the end and tugged onto it forcefully. Rachel had trouble trying to keep up with Violet's brisk walking. She wanted out of the dungeons quick before she found herself blaming Rachel or someone else. Violet was in a fowl mood and Rachel knew that if she saw anyone they'd be ordered to be beheaded. Rachel so wished she would have died that day, two years ago. She was scared then, now she wants it.

Everyday she would do something to temper Violet, to get her so angry that she would kill her and end her suffering. Instead, she would get beaten from within an inch of her life and brought to life by a sorceress close to the Queen. She would be chained to trees outside in the freezing cold and be made to listen to the howling of wolves and only pray they found her, smelt her, and devoured her. Her life meant nothing. She lost her parents and now she waited for her own life to end. The chain was tugged on once more bringing her back into the castle once again. They rounded a corner as two soldiers quickly, upon seeing their princess, threw open the double metal doors. They creaked from the pressure as the Princess, not losing stride, marched into the vast hallway.

A long lush red carpet ran down the middle of the cosmic hallway. Extravagant paintings of the heritage of the castle's lineage ran down the peach walls with golden frames. On the left hand side were long windows stretching down the hallway letting in the rays of sunlight. By each window sat a table with a lantern on them and flowers. Flowers always changed regularly and if one were to be found dead or dying, the ones responsible would be lined up and beheaded. The Queen was never short of staff and would never worry about the dwindling numbers because she would always find more within mere moments. Rachel loved what she saw, for she wasn't use to seeing such elegance. Such image didn't fit the castle or its rulers. Far from it.

"Hurry up!" screamed Violet and Rachel quickly followed, mesmerised by the sights. She was taken aback also by the fresh warm smell she received. Cramped in those dungeons day in day out, sometimes a week, she would grow accustomed to the dirt and filth. She would forget about the other smells that life can give you. The smell of flowers, or fresh bread. Soup newly made, to even the healthy trees. "Scum like you should never be in areas like this. However, my mother's most imperative guests are coming for Lord Rahl's arrival and I want to show everyone my power over you!" said Violet with a strict and ordered tone. Turning a corner, two more guards stood alert by a set of golden doors. Pulling them open, the guard on the left struggled a little, his arm shaking, and didn't pull it open fast enough. Violet stopped in her place unable to proceed and shot the soldier a murderous glare. Rachel knew what was going to come and behind them both, two soldiers had followed to ensure the safety of the Princess. Rachel hadn't noticed them but she did now by the squeak of their armour as they shifted position, prepared for what they knew they would be ordered for.

Violet snapped her head around at the soldiers and forcefully pointed at the soldier by the door with toxic fury. "Kill him!" she screamed. Without a moment's hesitation, their swords were freed; pre positioned on the silver of the hilts. Violet went forward, the anger quickly leaving her. She acted as if nothing had happened and, as Rachel stood perplexed by that and for the grief for the fate she knew the soldier to have she gave him an innocent smile. She knew he saw her and he nodded his head once. She wanted him to see something nice, an act of kindship before death befalling him. She felt a tear about to trickle down her cheek at the life this soldier might have had outside the castle. Did he have a wife who prayed every night for him to come home? A daughter who, upon seeing her father walk in, cling onto his leg and tell him how much she loved him? Was he a man with no family but himself?

Before she could fully allow her tears to devour her, there was a sharp pain around her neck as she found her self pulled into a grand expansive hall. When the doors were closed, she heard a grunt and then a clatter of armour hitting floor. Rachel closed her eyes with sadness whilst Violet only smirked. Rachel knew she had to get that out of her mind now. Whilst it pained her, that soldier was not of her concern anymore. No one was. She was alone in a big castle overfull with people. She grew use to the loneliness and only had herself for real company. She trusted that no one was nice. She wanted to die. Rachel realised, as she was being painfully tugged, she hadn't been in this room before. The entire dome ceiling was made of crystal clear glass showing the full moon overhead. Its relaxing blue glow shone into the room multiplied by the glass reflecting it in all direction. She had little time to admire it when she felt another forceful tug on her chain.

The ground floor was layered with a large, lush red carpet warming to her feet. It felt bliss to feel something so soft and pleasurable. She made sure she was able to bask in this feeling, allow it to envelop her for she knew this would go. Servants, women clothed to the neck in plain drained grey dresses, ran out with buckets of soapy water and sponges and immediately begun cleaning the dirty foot prints left by Rachel. She felt guilty, like she was to blame for them working and wanted to turn back to apologise but realised how futile that would be. Her cheek still stung from those slaps earlier. So she went on, trying hopelessly to tread softly so not to make the dirt deeper in the carpets. The walls, painted red, had golden brackets containing lit torches flaring and illuminating the place leaving no dark place. To the left were a double set of stairs made of exceptional sanding mahogany wood. So clean, smooth and even was them that they never looked old. A slim red carpet ran up them both in the centre, joining up the top of this balcony. The balcony and stair rails were of pure gold which shined in the moonlight. Up top of these stairs were more golden framed large portraits. Two, up the top, were of the Queen and the Princess themselves.

Rachel noticed Violet look up and admire the portrait. Rachel knew however that was not the first one made of Violet. When it was first made, the painter showed the Queen and the Princess, both appalled. Violet snapped it looked nothing like herself, how she looked chubby and not at all like herself, thin. Violet however was plump in body structure but didn't like to admit it to herself. She would eat and eat anything she demanded and so would put on some weight. No one dared tell her or else suffer a beheading, like the artist and it was Violet who killed him herself with her mother's dagger. The Queen issued Violet to keep the dagger after how skilfully she used it. Nothing scared Rachel much, but whenever Violet pulls out that dagger, it makes Rachel's knees shake. She hates knives.

The portrait had Violet almost stick thin with the same hair style and accessories she does now. Only she's wearing a golden layered dress with a silver laced corset. She's sat in a large brown chair in front of the fireplace near a bookcase. Rachel rolled her eyes as she remained close behind Violet who turned to go for a door below the one up top. Violet slammed her hand forcefully into the large red doors and they swung open with ease. The sound of chattering, clatter of dishes, laughter and praises burst into the air. Rachel then realised where she was- the grand eating quarters. At both ends of the rectangular room were two large windows draped with pure white net curtains. By the sides of them were golden curtains hooked back. The centre of the room stood a large and tall oak table overflowing with whole duck, chicken and boar. Soaps of every flavour, wine, cheese, bread and the finest of the finest smoked ham. Every seat, but one, was occupied by men and women of different age and size. Women wore long elegant sparkling dresses; the men wore simple tuxes each though extravagant. Fat men tore away at the duck, gnashing on them greedily. Their saliva, the oil from the food splattered on the white table cloth staining it. Large thick candles in golden holsters stood strong with every candle lit. A glass chandelier hung from the ceiling, each with bright candles providing the light needed for the room.

At the head of this expansive table sat none over then the queen herself. Queen Milena. She sat in a throne of sorts, framed in golden metal. The light golden feel of the soft cushion laced with blue patterns seemed to spell words of ancients past. Queen Milena wore a bulky layered gold silver dress. Each part folded over the other into a flowing river and shone in the light from the room. Her collar, a fine puffy blue fabric was stuck up and rested behind her head. The dress was fit for her, a queen. Her light brown hair was tied into a bun at the top of her head with pure silver clips of circled domes held strays of hair in place. Her long diamond earrings dangled lifelessly from her ears twinkling in the late afternoon light. Five diamonds rested on a silver chain to help support it.

The Queen also wore several silver necklaces of many shapes and sizes. Her rings were made of titanium made by the best in the Midlands especially for her. Others had diamonds, some were silver, others gold. The person wearing this was not what she wore- elegant, joyous to look at, made you feel happy. She was a large rounded woman with big flabby arms. Her hazel eyes surveyed the room, her Ruban lips smiled at her guests enjoying the feast provided for them by the finest cooks. Her face turned slowly, respectively, over to her side to where she saw Violet. Queen Milena regarded her with a kind loving smile and bowed her head. Violet, with the chain around her wrist, placed her fists on her hips. The Queen frowned.

"Why has everyone started without me!" she screamed. The room suddenly fell spine chillingly silent within a second. Rachel was astounded at how quick the guests went quiet and immediately became afraid. Many guests hung their heads, others looked away fearful to stare into her eyes that could kill anyone. The others, including Queen Milena, looked her way. The Queen kept her cool composure and simply smiled at her tempered daughter. Rachel knew when Princess Violet was in a fowl mood and this was one of those times. Rachel was sure that any moment now they would be killed with her murderous glare. Rachel then realised there were four guards stationed in the four corners of the room and at the side of Queen Melina's chair. Everyone had their hands gently rested on the hilts awaiting the orders they knew would come.

"Why, my greatest daughter, I assumed,"

"You should never assume mother! That's what low likes are for!" she shouted tugging on the chain with Rachel empathising the word 'low likes' when she done it. Rachel clenched her eyes at the sharp unexpected pain in her neck. She remained calm and now prepared herself for more. Her mother, at first taken aback by her daughter's outburst, smiled and nodded her head once.

"I'm sorry my love, but as you're aware,"

"Guards, off with their heads!" she screamed, once again interrupting her mother. Her mother flinched at the vicious intent in her daughter's outburst. Every soldier pulled out their swords sending metallic ringing in the air. Every single guest whimpered, screamed or closed their eyes and prepared for the worst. The Queen suddenly and unexpectedly put her hand up to stop them. They did without a second past. Violet scorned her mother with vicious eyes.

"Violet, sweety. As you are aware, Lord Rahl himself is on his way" said the Queen in her small business like tone. Rachel widened her eyes and managed to suppress a gasp. She had heard a lot about this Lord Rahl through word of mouth. What she heard weren't good. She continued to listen closely. Queen Milena tranquilly stands up and smiles, clasping her hands in front of her. The guests anticipated her words, hanging off of them as they awaited their fate with fear. "It would therefore not look good when he arrives to find a table full of blood and a room overcome with headless guests sent especially for this purpose. You know how important this visit is if we're to give him the Box of Orden, and as such, we should treat it as that." She told her daughter, everyone held their breath and stared at Princess Violet with stark anticipation. She let out a deep breath and nodded her head.

"Fine!" she stamped lightly, "But after it, then they will get beheaded!" she commanded. Everyone stared wide-eyed and looked back at the queen, expecting her to once again stand up for them. Queen Milena turned back to her guests and smiled at them all and spoke to them with great respect. They all felt at ease.

"Permitted" she said in a flat tone towards the end. They gasped. The guards replaced their swords and stood guard once more in their statuesque poses. Princess Violet stepped forward tugging on Rachel harshly. No one, even the queen bothered to notice her. She was below them all with her dirty hair and clothes. She was worth nothing compared to them all and would amount to nothing in life. She was but a lapdog for Princess Violet. In front of Violet stood a small chair much similar to the one her mother sat in. Violet hopped onto the chair and forcefully tugged on the chain forcing Rachel to the ground onto her knees. The guests slowly, uneasily, begun eating away at their meals before the laughter and general chitter chatter returned. Violet turned her head down and stared Rachel into her eyes.

"You will stay there and watch as we all eat. You may be lucky to lick the crumbs from everyone's plates." Said Violet maliciously. With a smirk, she turned her head to the meal and begun feasting into a chicken leg and spoke to her mother about the visit of the Lord Rahl. Rachel hungrily starred at everyone and licked her dry cracked lips. Her belly rumbled and ached away at her. She found herself groaning rather loudly without realising it. She couldn't stop it, not when she could smell the sweet fresh aroma of the food. What she wouldn't do to taste just a piece of bread. She was starving and hadn't eaten in what felt like days. But that groan was all it took before she felt another painful slap across her cheek. Rachel collapsed to the ground, clutching her stinging cheek. Tears whelmed in her eyes from the pain but she kept from shouting.

"Oh yes," Rachel could hear Princess Violet announce to several of the guests. She sounded proud. "She's my own slave. She does as I want when I want. If she doesn't, or goes out of line, then she gets a slap." Grinned Violet. Her mother beamed at her.

"Your excellence at control is astounding." Said one guest.

"I'm amazed you would house her" said another.

"You're so kind and thoughtful for the needy" said one more. Rachel wanted to scream out loud at how much of a spiteful child Violet really was. How she hated her to the core but didn't. She was close to doing so but remained on the floor clutching at her cheek. She found the ground soft and comforting. A sharp pain in the neck told her to kneel. With watery eyes she looked up at Princess Violet.

"I told you to watch. Not lie there and rest. You will show me respect and then when Lord Rahl arrives. Do you understand me!" demanded Princess Violet. Rachel nodded her head.

"Yes Princess" before she could correct herself she was too slow to even attempt to stop the backhanded slap off Violet once again. She didn't fall like the last time as Princess Violet had now locked the chain onto the top of her chair preventing Rachel from bending. Her head simply was knocked to the side. It was her other cheek which got hit and despite the pain, she was thankful it wasn't the other. She was then struck again on the same cheek and coughed blood onto the table leg. Her already bleeding lip was opened up again. She sucked back a cry.

"Princess what!" screamed Violet.

"Yes. Princess Violet" she said in pain through the tears she tried so urgently to hold back. Satisfied, Princess Violet returned to talk once again, to eat once more. Rachel just allowed herself to drift into another place where she was alone and happy. The voices seemed to become distant as her mind took her to a place with her mother and father.

-o-o-o-0-o-o-o-

"Easy boy" he told the horse pulling back on the reigns. The horse whimpered and snorted its annoyance at its rider. Swerving to the side, Richard looked over into the nearby horizon. The sun, long since set, allowed the glowing moon to cast its relaxing light onto the world. It felt warm in the air; the trees gently brushed this way and that. Just through the path of forest, over a small hill, towered the castle of Tamarang. It was breathtaking to witness so close for he had never seen landmarks this big before. However, not far away was the one he followed.

Kahlan was sat, chained, behind the white knight who had took her. She looked worn and hungry. He panged to be with her, to feel so helpless. He knew what a fatal mistake that would be if he were to act.

He watched, with curious eyes, at the white knight making some strange hand signals. There was no one about, but Richard knew where they were. They were watching him. The white knight begun to set off again and right before Richard to kick at the black stallion, he sensed something in the air. Widening his eyes, he pulled out the sword of truth producing that strong metallic ring in the air. Arrows flew out of the dark dense woods at either side to which Richard destroyed with his sword. The horse begun to panic and with his other hand he had to calm it the best he could. "Easy boy!" he soothed it with great effort at controlling it. An arrow suddenly, out of nowhere, struck the horse from the side just missing Richard's leg. With a cry, the horse reared up and fell to the floor before dying after. Richard, slamming hard into the dirt and stone ground beneath flipped up and took a stance. He could see Kahlan, in her white flowing dress; turn around before becoming out of view. Rustling in the bushes, getting closer, told Richard he was going to have to fight.

To be continued…

There you have it, another chapter complete. You are finally introduced to Rachel, Princess Violet and Queen Milena. What did you think about how poor Rachel was treated? At her pain and distraught for that soldier who got killed for not opening the door fast enough for the spoilt Princess Violet? Towards the end, Richard finally returns. As does Kahlan.

The white night, holding Kahlan captive, leaves just when arrows from other knights are sent in his direction. Now, realising he must fight, prepares for the battle shortly about to come. What will happen next? Where's Kahlan being taken to? Where's Zedd? Who was that protector and what will happen with Dennee?

Questions galore but answers can only come with a review. So please, submit your reviews. Until next time…