Legend of the Seeker
The Male Confessed

Before I begin, LOCISVU, let me just clarify something. In chapter 8, I revealed, and furthermore made clear at the end of that and the start of Chapter 9, that the white knights are NOT working with the D'Haran's. This therefore means, they're not working with Darken Rahl. They're working with someone else. Just thought I'd clear that up for you.

Now… Only 3 reviews? That's very disappointing seeing as how I've been getting about 7 as of late. None the less, here is a brand new chapter and I hope it picks back up again because I enjoy writing this story and wish to continue for there's still a lot of twists and turns to come.

Previously, on The Male Confessed: It's confirmed, by Kahlan herself, that she has been riding for 5 days with the white knight and it's exhausted her. With no energy, she finds herself being starved from food and drink. The white knight, insisting they set up camp, ensures the other knights to ensure Richard doesn't come in or out. When Kahlan, energy replenished with water, goes for the white knight's sword, her entire body is shot with extreme pain. The white knight, as he confirms with a sneer, controls her every fibre: how hungry she is, how thirsty and what she does. Making her get to sleep, she thinks about Richard who, at that moment, confronts an old friend after killing the white knights set onto him. That friend was none other then Zedd!

Chapter 10
The inspection

"Excuse me?" he stuttered. Passed being shocked, Richard found himself bewildered. Zedd, removing a twig from his disarrayed white hair, ignited it with wizard's fire. The small girl moved her eyes up to him and gave a smirk.

"Show off" she tutted and Richard smiled. Looking back to Richard she took one step forward and curtseyed. "Pleasure to meet you, Seeker. Zedd has said a lot about you". She smiled and Richard gave Zedd a brief sidelong glance.

"Good, I hope?" The small girl giggled and Zedd innocently walked up to Richard. Both men united into a hug with Richard closing his eyes to take it all in. He knew he missed him but not this much. It felt great to have Zedd back with him especially with what was happening to them all.

"I'm sorry I left you" said Richard refusing to let go of Zedd. Zedd smiled but forced himself to peel Richard away from him.

"It was not your fault my boy. You have nothing to apologise for. I'm never one to question the Seeker's instincts and yours told you to rescue Kahlan." Richard smiled, but it quickly turned to distress. Zedd, understanding, walks back over to the small girl as a means to change the subject over the obvious depression Richard was feeling at having not rescued Kahlan yet. "This here," he said, putting his hand gently on the girls right shoulder. "Is Jessica. She's Nell's daughter". Richard widened his eyes but smiled and knelt beside her.

"It's nice to meet you" he smiled, she smiled back.

"She saved my life" added Zedd. Richard, smiling at Jessica, moved towards her ear.

"Silly mistake" and she laughed, Richard grinning at Zedd.

"You're not too old to be blasted by a wind beam, boy" teased Zedd. Richard chuckled before turning serious and standing up to face Zedd. "Thank you for the horse you left for us" Richard smiled, "Unfortunately, it was taken out by a white knight forcing us on foot" he said with great distaste. Richard couldn't help but smile at his old friend. Richard, briefly looking behind his shoulder at the trail where not only the white knight went with Kahlan but also that ball of light, he turned looked at Zedd with a deep frown.

"What was with that ball of light?" he asked until realizing his sword was loosely gripped. Picking it up and placing it back into his scabbard, he allowed Zedd time to answer.

"It's known as the Quilthor" at Richard's deepening frown, Zedd continued. "It's a spell a wizard uses to find something or one" as if by queue, Jessica removed a white cloth from her muddy pocket and raised it in the air. The breeze, blowing it gently, immediately caught Richard's eyes. Gently taking it from her hands, he held it with both hands and handled it as if it were fragile glass. Tears consumed his eyes. Jessica felt his pain and suddenly held her stomach, Zedd, sensing her hunger, smiled before turning back to a saddened Richard.

"It led us here, and it's gone off to follow her. I've stopped it; in fear the white knights may find us or track us."

"Where was it?"

"In Eden. After everything was burnt to the ground. You know much of what happened these last few days?"

"I followed that white knight until we arrived at Eden. It was peaceful. Full of children playing, music in the background. People were happy, laughing. But when the white knight rode in chaos ensued. A fight ensued after some of the villages attacked the white knight to save Kahlan. Before I knew it the place went up in flames. As quickly as it begun it was over and I had to follow the white knight, I had to save Kahlan" Richard, feeling the extreme guilt of leaving those dying people, got new fresh tears. Zedd stepped forward and gently rested his hand on Richard's shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile.

"You did no wrong my boy. You did what was needed. Those people were as good as dead"

"So, since that incident I've followed closely behind the two. I couldn't get too close because of the scouts. I did on one occasion, today, but it was an ambush. I had to kill all these men" said Richard. Zedd and Jessica turned to all the dead bodies. The smell of dead flesh was strong. Jessica squirmed uncomfortably and Zedd held her hand comfortingly. Richard, with helpless despair, turned to Zedd. "What do we do now? I heard that Darken Rahl is in the castle of Tamarang for some official business"

"The box of Orden…" uttered Zedd. Richard, frowning, steps closer.

"What brought you to that conclusion?"

"Queen Milena lives in that castle. She has one of the boxes of Orden. Why else would Darken Rahl wish to go there? Right now, Darken Rahl has the first box of Orden. We must stop him from gaining the second or else we'll lose quicker than win" Richard, nodding his agreement goes to leave until stopping dead in his tracks. "Kahlan will be fine" he assured. Richard, turning back, raises his eyebrows desperately.

"How do you know that? Darken Rahl has obviously sent these knights to capture her. She's probably in the castle right now"

"Darken Rahl did not send these men" said Zedd deep and foreboding. Richard, frozen in place, frowns at him. Jessica continues to look at the dead bodies, holding her stomach in what seems to be pain. "I saw a group of D'Haran's and white knights. All dead, in a heap, with the others swords in them. They were fighting one another, which means…"

"They're working for another being. But who?"

"That is not our concern right now. As it stands, they'll probably be setting up camp. I've seen places dotted around where they've camped. For every time the Quilthor stops at these places, having sensed Kahlan being there. That being said, they would have set up camp once more meaning Kahlan is safe and near by for tonight. So we must enter the castle and get the second box of Orden before Rahl does" finishing, Zedd could see the torn anguish growing in Richard. Zedd, once again, places his hand on his shoulder and gently squeezes it.

"She'll be fine" came Jessica's voice. Richard turned down to her and smiled, nodding his head.

"Ok. We should go now then. We've no idea how much time we've wasted already. Now, Jessica, try and run and find somewhere to,"

"I don't need to run. I will not hide" she told him bravely standing up firmly.

"Jessica, I intend no disrespect, but you're only a small child" at that moment, a groan could be heard on the ground followed by the seeker's sword being ranked from its scabbard- but not by Richard. Richard, with grave intensity, spins around. Before him stands a white knight, dripping with dark red blood, holding the sword of truth. The strong metallic ringing from the sword echoed loudly as the seeker greatly grunted at his insolence at not protecting his sword or sensing danger. Before Richard could even react a dagger, out of no where, sticks into his chest with a loud thunk. Richard, blinking rapidly, spins around to where Jessica has one dagger in her left one and her right arm out in front of her. Spinning back, Richard grabs his sword and Jessica's dagger which makes the white knight collapse into a heap on the ground.

"I taught her everything that was needed" smiled Zedd proudly. Richard, placing the sword back into his scabbard gave Jessica her dagger back which she placed into her belt buckle with the other. She was smiling those held her stomach again and scrunched up her face lightly. "No one would expect such a small girl to possess such skill… You didn't and neither will Darken Rahl." Smiled Zedd cunningly. Richard, understanding what a great advantage this could mean for them, smiles back and nods his head and apology towards Jessica. She simply shrugs her shoulders as if to tell Richard 'Yeah, its fine, no worries'. Although she would do anything for the seeker and, although not showing it, was in awe to be around the true seeker.

"Alright, now that we're set. Let's get going!" Richard said eagerly. About to turn and run up the trail, Zedd holds up his palm and a wind wall suddenly materializes out of thin air. Richard slams into it and groans from pain which eventually changes into frustration. Turning around slowly he slowly raised his eyebrows expecting an explanation from Zedd. He smiles at him whilst Jessica finds it hard not to laugh.

"Slow down my boy. I allowed you to run off without truly thinking it through but this time I must give you the voice of reason." Stopping to allow Richard to understand his words and calm down, he continued. "You can't just storm into the castle of Tamarang with the sword of truth, an old wizard and a young child and expect no one to batter an eyelid."

"So what do you propose we do?" asks Richard impatiently. Zedd, eyebrows raised, lifted up his hand which begun to glow a light golden blue.

"Patients my boy" the light begun to glow getting brighter and brighter. Richard and Jessica, frowning just to gain some sight, become enveloped into the light. Both gasping inwardly, the bright blue swirling mass of light entered their bodies. Filling them with a soft heat and sending tingling sensations up and down their bodies, they closed their eyes. As quickly as it had begun, it ended just as fast. Finding themselves back in the dark forest, they knew something was different.

"Zedd…" said Jessica in amusement confusion. "What did you do?" Richard, looking at his now dirty hands, found himself in dirty smelling rags. His top, torn at the bottom and shorts the same was shoeless and had some weight on him. Jessica, wearing a long dark dirty rag, looked up to face Richard and gasped. Upon realising she was staring at his face, he slowly felt it to find himself with a rugged beard and a few teeth missing. His dark, dirt infested hair stood in disarray. Both turning to Zedd, he wore the same rags only his hair was now brown and he bore a long beard. Richard, understanding what now happened, smiled. Jessica begun to smile in kind once it dawned on her as well.

"Zedd, you never seize to amaze me" smiled Richard. Zedd, smiling back, stepped forward. It was then that Richard and Jessica realised all the dead bodies were vanished including all the blood. It smelt of fresh pine, the breeze felt cooling against their skins. Jessica raised her eyebrows in amazement. Choosing not to address this disappearing act, Richard notices just one dagger from one of the white knights. Glisten as if just newly polished.

"You can't take your sword" said Zedd. Richard, somewhat angrily stunned, shot him a glare.

"What do you mean? I need my sword!"

"Because of the swords magic, I could not transform it. You must leave it here." Confirmed Zedd not sounding at all happy about it. Before Richard could attempt a protest, Zedd interrupted, "If the guards take one look at the sword which, no doubt ably, is difficult to hide under those rags, they'll know you're the seeker, or at least not what you claim to be. We must convince them we are servants of Princess Violet and Queen Milena in order to get through the front guards"

"How can we do that?" Jessica asked curious. Zedd, flashing her a smirk, raises his index finger.

"A little thing called 'Wizard's first rule'. What it means is-,"

"Zedd we have no time" said Richard monotone. Zedd, nodding his understanding, slowly lifted both hands up and a ditch in between them all opened up with a small rumble. Dust lifted into the night's air and Richard understood what was needed. Removing his scabbard from himself, and then taking one last look at his sword, before taking a deep breath, he knelt down to place the sword in the ditch. Standing up, the ditch was quickly covered before a strong gust of wind blew by scattering hundreds of dark green leaves to cover up the sword some more.

"Now Princess Violet is a spoilt young child. If she so dislikes a persons eyelash she'll have them beheaded. Queen Milena is just as vicious, more so even. Some say she's a big a tyrant as Darken Rahl himself" Richard, finding the statement somewhat amusing, turns to him.

"Then I'll be happy to end both her reign and that of Darken Rahl." Said Richard with intensity. Zedd, smiling and giving a simple nod, flicks his wrist sending the dagger flying into Richard's hand. Richard, tucking the dagger into his belt buckle from under his dirty rags looks up at Zedd with grave seriousness. Sharing a look of understanding, understanding of how serious and possibly life altering this is, they turned to Jessica who also had her game face on. Zedd looks at her like a father would a daughter when leaving his home for the first time. They too understand the seriousness with what this task entails. Nodding her head she smiled at him. Zedd, smiling back satisfied, turns back to Richard.

"Let's get to work"

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

"How do you expect us to get in?" he asked as he stealthfully approached the castle grounds. Himself, Zedd and Jessica were all in a crouched position and slowly moving behind the cover of bushes. Changing them into peasants and servants was one thing, but to actually convince the guards they're not just homeless people wandering the streets for food was another. The castle towered into the night's sky as crickets sang in all directions. The sound was music to Richard and Jessica's ears whilst Zedd took no real appreciation from it. Deep, menacing columns stuck out in place with glassless windows scattered along the castle. Slits of cross bows were places on every wall within a foot radios. The blackened walls suggested fire had been spewed out many times. Richard found his heart rate quickening with every step and the thought that he could face Darken Rahl finally and put an end to this all.

"Richard's right" peeped Jessica combing a piece of stranded hair behind her ears with her fingers. "Unless we just open attack?" she continued with a suggested hint. Zedd, not looking at them, was fixated on the burly guards at the front of the castle. Towering behind them was the dark oak draw bridge and the mote in front of that making a ring around the castle. The drop was deep and sounds could start to be heard from the murky water below. The guards were heavily armed with swords, daggers, axes and maces at every available place. They wore large metal chest armour and chainmail beneath that. Both didn't look friendly with their stone faces, dark green eyes and blonde hair. Zedd raised his hand up to stop his friends from advancing any further which they followed quickly. With the same hand, he began to swirl it in small circles. Jessica and Richard, realising nothing happening, frowned. Before Richard could say anything they could hear the inaudible chanting from Zedd. Turning into a whisper, two heavily buckets of water suddenly appeared with a thick wooden pole under both handles in effect joining the two.

"I made sure your side didn't have as much in" he said looking at Jessica. Stubbornly, she put her hands on her hips.

"Why us?"

"Well you don't expect me, an old man, to do that would you?" It was Richard's turn to raise his eyebrows. "Let's go. Follow my lead!" With that, Zedd burst out the cover of the shrub. As soon as he did, the guards turned and removed their swords. Zedd, looking behind him, frantically beckoned the other two. "Hurry up! We mustn't keep Princess Violet and Queen Milena waiting!" he shouted with great urgency. The guards turned to one another confused as Jessica and Richard, understanding, came out carrying the buckets of water with Richard in front and Jessica barely managing. As they rushed after Zedd, the buckets rocked side by side splashing everywhere. As soon as Richard got close enough, Zedd slapped him around the head, stunning him but he stayed in character. "Be more careful! If the Queen or the Princess noticed any water loss then it'll be your head on the chopping board!"

"Who are you?!" asked one of the guards in a deep menacing voice which sent shivers up Jessica's spine and then back down again. She didn't like the sound of looks of both men who she knew would kill in a heartbeat. She looked to her waist to check her daggers were tucked securely and were hidden so, if needs be, she could remove at any moment. Zedd, smiling sheepishly, waved his hand before him in a downward spiral.

"Ruben Rybnik. Personal servant for Queen Milena herself. If you wouldn't mind opening the gate for us so we could," before Zedd could finish the guard who spoke raised his sword and pointed the tip to Zedd's throat. Richard and Jessica straightened up and the mood became tense. Richard reminded himself where his own dagger was and, with his anger and worry rising, was about to pull it out. Zedd merely smiled respectively.

"Who are you and why haven't I seen you exit the castle if you are in fact the Queen's personal servant?" asked the wielder of the sword. The other guard deeply scrutinized the other two making Jessica feel terribly uncomfortable. She kept her head lowered, as did Richard, following example, to make themselves more like servants and low lives.

"You mean when you were chatting to your fellow guards about the woman you can taken to bed?" asked Zedd with raised eyebrows. The guard, suddenly becoming embarrassed and shocked, turned to the other guard.

"How did you…"

"When the great and all powerful Lord Rahl came into the castle, I came out with strict orders from the Queen herself to fetch them some cold water. This water would then be given to not only our royal excellence or the Princess, but Lord Rahl himself. We were sent to Eden for the water and as I am aware you know. Eden's water is one of the purest in all the Midlands so you can imagine why the Queen sent me" smiled Zedd. The guard, the sword lowered, didn't back down.

"How do we know your not imposters?"

"I beg you no disrespect but do I, or my children, look at all dangerous? Do we look like we have the weapons you both wield? Do we bare any threat?" when neither answered, Zedd continued. "Do you love our Queen?" the guard seemed shocked and confused by this. "Do you respect her" he clarified.

"Of course!"

"Would you risk your life for her?" Zedd continued, more persistent.

"Yes!" he shouted, growing impatient.

"Yet you would neglect your Queen the right to have this pure cold water, soon to be warm. You would risk getting your head removed but not before Lord Rahl himself tortures you. Removes your intestines from your stomach one by one. You would bare, as well as all that, the terrible weight in your heart of displeasing the Queen and the Princess. Two people who do nothing but care and house even those poorest of people. You would like to suffer all their wrath? You would like her to know that you slacked on the job when you should have been standing more alert?" this hit a nerve, to both guards, who backed away.

"Of course not!" said the other one, sounding just as deep as the one before. Only now he had a hint of fear in his voice.

"Then I suggest you lower that bridge so the Queen and Lord Rahl can get their water. Or else, as I'm sure her excellence would order, guards will come down to see where we are and have to face a bundle of excuses from you two about how your insolence caused three servants, loyal and trusted servants to the Queen, to be killed before they could complete an important task. The guard, taking a deep gulp, turned to the top of the draw bridge where there was an alcove and someone stood.

"Lower the draw bridge!" he commanded and within moments there was a large creak followed by a crack. The draw bridge begun to lower slowly revealing the town inside the castle which was dead now at night. As the bridge lowered, Richard and Jessica quickly lifted up the buckets and, placing the pole on their shoulders, scurried off over the bridge. Zedd, going in-between the guards, smirked.

"Although you are aware the Queen expected us back 10 minutes ago and we'll now have to explain why we were late" with that, Zedd walked off with the guards eyebrows raised in absolute fear. As soon as Zedd stepped off the draw bridge it begun to rise. Once fully closed, Richard and Jessica dropped the buckets and turned to Zedd, beaming.

"Zedd, that was magnificent! I can't believe it worked!"

"Remember boy," smiled Zedd cunningly, "A trick is just as effective as any sword or magic. Always remember that"

"Now where?" asked Jessica. Zedd, turning to face forward, pointed outwards from between them. They turned to face the direction of his finger and through the middle of the large circular town was a path which lead to the castle. Wagons were scattered, no doubt all belonging to Lord Rahl.

"Pick up those buckets of water again. Same as before, only this time, we empathise Lord Rahl" he smiled and casually walked off towards the castle. Richard and Jessica glanced at one another but followed despite how heavy the buckets of water were becoming.

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

Once inside, they all breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but giggle. Dropping the buckets, they begun to quickly tip toe down the vast halls. After a while, they stopped and Richard turned to Zedd. "Do you have any idea where we're going?"

"Not a clue" Zedd admitted. Richard rolled his eyes. The marble halls were layered with red carpets, chandeliers, and elegant paintings, tables with golden jugs, plates and flowers. They now found themselves at a cross roads with the hall continuing straight or going left but there was an alcove with nothing in it. Confusing as it were, there were the same odd alcoves down the hallway.

"Forward or left?" asked Jessica eager to be out of the castle as quick as possible. Richard, sharing her fear, smiled and gently touched her shoulder. She looked up at him with her innocent face and smiled. At that moment, they could hear the echoing of footsteps, a chain rattling, and someone's squeaking voice. All looking at one another, they rushed into the dark shadowed alcove. The voice got closer and it belonged to a small girl, whinging over something. It dawned on Zedd, with dreaded realization, whom it belonged to.

"Princess Violet" he whispered. At that moment, Princess Violet came into view dragging Rachel along on the chain. Richard immediately wanted to help the child and went to go for her but Zedd held him still.

"Hurry up!" screamed Princess Violet. "We must check to see if the Treasure room is fitting for Lord Rahl and my mother. They're on their way for the ultimate treasure and as such, nothing must displease Lord Rahl. He already had to kill five of the guests!" moaned Princess Violet. The three gave one another a look.

"The ultimate treasure?" said Richard raising his eyebrows. Rhetorical as the question was, they all knew what the ultimate treasure was. "I have to follow her"

"Yes. You do that whilst myself and Jessica attempt to stall the advances of Darken Rahl and Queen Milena." Richard, understanding there was little time, nodded his head. He couldn't help but worry, like Zedd. Sharing a look, Richard spun around and begun to quietly follow Princess Violet and her personal slave, Rachel. Now alone with Jessica, Zedd turned to her and held her hand just when voices down the hallway could be heard. Nodding together, he smiled bravely at her.

"May the spirits be with us" he whispered.

To be continued…

There you go yo! Another chapter is over and in it we found Richard and Zedd reunite as well as some development from Jessica now fluent in dagger handling. Now that Zedd has disguised them as servants, what did you think of the whole scene? Did you like the wizard's first rule moment and mentioning? Something which deserved more screen time in the actual show.

Now in the castle, Richard follows Princess Violet who's off to the treasure room to inspect it and ensure the Box of Orden is safe whilst Zedd and Jessica will attempt to distract Darken Rahl, Demmin Nass and Queen Milena from advancing further. It's now starting to really heat up so please submit your reviews and hopefully I'll get more than last time.

I look forward to your reviews and the quicker they come, the quicker a new chapter will be released. So until next time, take care!