Legend of the Seeker
The Male Confessed

I would like to thank you all for reviewing. Although the count has dropped since the last set of reviews- to which I do not understand. However, I shall continue with this brand new chapter and one I hope you'll enjoy. Many die hard fans of the book series will be delighted with this chapter and any newbie's to the show may also be delighted with this chapter depending on your character preferences. What do I mean? Read on! So sit back, read and enjoy.

Previously, on The Male Confessed: Richard follows Princess Violet into the jewellery room to where he finds slave Rachel leaving a trail for him to follow. When venturing further into the labyrinth, he comes across the room which holds the second box of Orden. As Violet prepares to lock the door, Rachel stops her. Eventually, Richard breaks into the room but is confronted by guards to which he effortlessly kills. Grabbing the box, he finds Princess Violet with a sliced gut, thank to Rachel. Meanwhile, further in the castle, Zedd uses Wizard's First Rule by abusing Jessica in order to delay Darken Rahl and party from getting to the box of Orden. There attempts are later in vain when Richard, hearing them fast approach, gives Rachel the sacred box and gets her to hide, escape and then find Zedd. As she runs off, Richard prepares for the confrontation!

Chapter 12
The simple wooden disguise

"Do something!" she demanded. By her abrupt tone, it stunned Zedd, albeit for a second. He was use to this small, innocent child. But now, over the course of almost a week, she had turned into a strong individual. No longer was her voice sweet, vulnerable and weak. It now had authority, control and intimidation at the best of times. Whilst she still had her kind and sweet attributes, she was a lot more grown up and not afraid to speak up. This was no exception. Shoving Zedd, her green eyes pierced through him as she threw her hands on her hips.

"Careful" Zedd said with a cunning grin. She stuck out her tongue and he smiled. Another sign which told him she was still the 16 year old child he found at the house. Well, the term 'child' is used loosely. She's a teenager who is brawny and able to fend for herself now. It sometimes confused him at why she would want to stay by his side. To a life with danger. Whatever her reasons, he was happy. He couldn't picture losing her. In such a short space of time, she had become like a daughter to him. She awaited his further response but he didn't give her any. Shaking her head, she went to storm off down the long extravagant hallway. "Easy!" called out Zedd and raising his right hand out in front of him. In front of Jessica appeared an invisible wall to which she walked into. Groaning, she spun around rubbing her forehead.

"Zedd, we must get to Richard!" she told him. Zedd smiled at her adamant nature and at her care and worry for Richard. Jessica had truly came around in leaps and bounds. Earlier, she had been nervous to run into Lord Rahl and Queen Milena, but now she was ready to jump right into action. Suppose she still had an adrenaline rush after her first confrontation. The sudden thought made him shudder with disenchantment and regret. The pang of guilt he felt when having to handle Jessica the way he did saddened him and he felt ashamed of himself. But he knew, as well as she, that it had to be done, something that big, in order to stop Darken Rahl and Queen Milena advancing any further and to give Richard enough time.

"Richard is not just anybody. He's the Seeker. He'll be fine" assured Zedd. Jessica, stubborn, ignores his reassurance.

"Against soldiers, yes. Against that big scary guy, possibly. But against Queen Milena and Darken Rahl? I'm not so sure! We've been waiting for a while now. The sun is starting to rise!" she stated, making more of a point for the last statement. Zedd was unmoving, but simply smiled and he looked out to one of the large stretched windows. The rising sun was starting to glow inside the castle.

"You're right" he said, "Lovely isn't it" Jessica scrunched up her face and went for Zedd. Grabbing fistfuls of his rags, he pulled him towards her.

"Zedd! He could be killed. He doesn't have the sword of truth"

"He has his brain"

"What?"

"That's all a Seeker needs. That's all Richard needs. His brain. With it, Richard will outsmart them and find a solution out of things. He always does." Zedd smiled to himself. Jessica sensed the pride Zedd felt for Richard, but her worry didn't seize. Releasing the tense-ness in her body, she nodded.

"Fine."

"If he's not here once the sun has fully rose, then shall we go after him" Jessica, happy, nods once again. "I'm sorry" whispered Zedd. Her green eyes looked up at him with such love and innocence he couldn't help but feel warm inside. Her once piercing and intimidating eyes suddenly changed. She knew what he meant and she needn't address the apology with words. Simply, she approached him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Giving him a squeeze, he cupped his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently.

"Zedd?" she asked, the croak in her voice informing Zedd she might start crying. He remained holding her shoulder. "I need to tell you something" looking down at her, she looked back up at him, tears in her eyes. But that's what confused him. They weren't tears of emotion for the moment they just shared. It was something deeper. She had regret all over her face. She also had fear on her face for how Zedd may respond to what she has to say. "It's about Kahlan…" at that moment, footsteps were heard coming towards them echoing. Zedd quickly moved Jessica behind him but she put her game face on. Grabbing for her dagger, she held onto it tightly and braced herself, much like Zedd.

"Don't do anything unless you have to" said Zedd and Jessica gave a nod. But she knew she would jump straight into action at the sight of danger. Then the person ran around the corner. Jessica rose her eyebrows and put her dagger away. Appearing from behind Zedd, she came face to face with the servant girl they saw being pulled by Princess Violet. The small girl was out of breath, panting hard. In her hands she held a small box carved with loads of symbols. Zedd knew right away what it was but was confused at why and how this small child had it. Then he was hit with realization and dread. Richard gave the box to her which can only mean one thing- he was either in trouble, or knew he would die. He held back his tears he knew were ready to arrive.

"They're after me!" she panted stopping Jessica from getting a word in. Frowning, they heard the sound of heavy armour clashing and echoing down the halls. Jessica removed her dagger once more as three soldiers ran into view with their swords. All had blonde hair and the D'Haran Dragon Core symbol on them. Red and foreboding. Zedd knew these weren't any ordinary soldiers. They were personally selected by Darken Rahl himself, sent to be his personal guards. Jessica knew who these were as well and took a stance. With a cry, she hurled her dagger through the air. Before the guy in the middle could even blink, the dagger stuck into his forehead with a sickening thunk. As sure as it hit, his body flung to the ground, his sword clashing onto the ground. Jessica snapped her face towards Zedd and looked at him with intensity, an unspoken command. He nodded. Rachel, being pulled behind Zedd, watched Jessica run directly towards the soldiers who didn't even look back at their fallen comrade.

"Don't!" screamed Rachel. Jessica, sprinting towards the soldiers, didn't seem scared in the slightest. For she had learned that feeling that for but a second would get her killed. Rachel stopped breathing but was stunned when the two soldiers, going to Jessica, were flung backwards and sent crashing into the walls. She looked up and Zedd had both arms raised. Rachel looked in awe and back at Jessica who removed her dagger from the soldier. Grabbing his sword, she kicked it down the hall towards Rachel. Grabbing it, she picked it up. She tested the weight and when able to sustain it felt more at ease with it. The two soldiers grunted with anger and turned inwardly to Jessica who leered at them both. She stood stiff, beckoning them to get closer to her. She then pointed behind them and they turned. Zedd shot out his right hand as a stream of fire shot out. The light lit up the entire area and Rachel gasped. It hit into the guy on the right and upon contact he screamed. With the other soldier distracted, Jessica flung herself towards him. Screaming, her dagger went straight into his chest, piercing his heart. Gasping, he dropped dead, the same time the burnt corpse of the other soldier. Jessica stood, panting, from the adrenaline rush and shot a look at Richard.

"We need to get to Richard!"

"You can't!" shouted Rachel. Zedd spun around, Jessica approaching her.

"What do you mean?"

"He couldn't get out in time. Darken Rahl, Demmin Nass and Queen Milena all showed up. I got out just barely. Richard gave me this box,"

"The box of Orden" said Jessica stunned, only now grasping what it actually was. Rachel nodded. Zedd stood transfixed, thoughts of Richard running through his mind.

"Told me to find Zedd" she continued, then stopped. She looked up at Zedd and began to raise the box into the air. "I think I found him" Zedd smiled and took the box, smiling at Rachel. Bending down, her gently cupped her cold cheek.

"You are a brave little girl" he told her, she smiled. "You have just saved the Midlands" she smiled again, albeit sheepishly. Never having received praise before, this was new to her. Standing up, he held the box of Orden in both hands. Jessica approached him. "We can't risk this being seen" he said deep in thought.

"What do you have in mind?" asked Jessica. Zedd, leaving the box in on hand, used his other to sweep across the box. Uttering something in Latin, the box of Orden transformed into a simple wooden box. Unsuspecting as anything important but that of a meaningless box. Both Rachel and Jessica smiled. Rachel was more in awe not being used to magic. Jessica noticed and smiled, turning to her. "You've not seen anything yet" she grinned, as did Zedd. Zedd then handed Jessica the box to which she took, confused.

"You now must get out of this castle"

"Not without you!"

"You must! This box has to be as far away from this castle as possible. It is of grave importance"

"No need for the history catch up, I know the implications of this box getting in the wrong hands. But I will not leave without you!"

"You have to, Jessica. You will take Rachel and get far away. I will find you" he smiled. Before she could ask how, Zedd quickly pulled a strand of her hair.

"Ow!" she moaned, rubbing her head. "What was that for?" she demanded.

"I need something of the person to find them. I took a strand of hair from Richard and Kahlan – when they were asleep of course" he said, Jessica could only smile, but then turned serious once again.

"What will you do?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"I must find Richard. If anything happens to me-,"

"Zedd!"

"You must carry on without me. Hide the box, bury it, anything. Whatever you do, hide it." She began to get tears in her eyes. He smiled and bent down to face her. "Do you understand me?" he asked her softly. She nodded weakly and clung onto him, hugging him tightly. "Don't come back for me. Please. I can't have you get hurt again" she started to cry. Rachel gently rested her arm on Jessica and smiled at her. Jessica smiled back.

"I love you" she cried. Zedd squeezed her tightly.

"And you. Now go!" he told her and she let go of him.

"The guards no me as Princess Violet's servant. She has sent me out many times so I'll say this is another time" smiled Rachel confidently in order to lighten the situation.

"Good, at least you won't have trouble getting out" smiled Zedd. Jessica, about to leave, turns back and kisses Zedd on his forehead. Tears forming now for him, Jessica grabbed Rachel and without looking back, ran the way they came. Zedd stood, taking a deep breath, and turned around. With that, his sadness was replaced by the seriousness of what now must be done. He started to walk towards the treasure room.

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

Gargling the blood, he felt he might drown in his own blood. When the pressure lifted, he panted hard, taking full advantage of the ability to breath. Spitting the blood, half frothing and half dripping, his hazed vision found it hard to grasp the people below him. He could hear the faint crying and rage of someone. He could see a lot of red clothing. "Who are you?" the person demanded. Unable to respond, still disorientated, his world came slamming back to him. Everything was clear and the suddenly change made him gasp. His feet dangled in the air and he found himself held up. Confused, he remembered what had happened. In front of him stood none other then Darken Rahl. Demmin Nass to his side, sword in hand. He had never seen such an evil death stare than what Demmin Nass was giving him. There were soldiers pacing the treasure room, other observing the dead bodies Richard had killed.

Behind him, Queen Milena cried over her injured daughter. Her words unrecognisable through her sobs and coughs. Darken Rahl stood stiff, like Richard's entire body, as he focused to keep Richard in the air.

"My name is Elvin. May I ask what yours is?" mocked Richard. Demmin Nass went to charge but was held back by Darken Rahl. His eyes got intense as the pressure around Richard's throat returned. It felt like there were a hundred hands squeezing him. Pain then soared through his body and he went stiff. Gasping, the blood which had come from his beating, freely fell to the pool of his own blood.

"Where is the box!" demanded Darken Rahl, briefly releasing the pressure to enable him to talk. Richard, coughing a laugh, raised his eyebrows.

"I have no idea what you're talking about" throwing his head, Richard flew through the air and crashed into a glass cabinet. With a scream, the glass shattered and he went through that and sent crashing into the floor. The glass stuck to his back, blood forming. He grunted through the pain. The shards of glass scattered everywhere. Rahl approached him slowly, Demmin Nass being made to stay where he was.

"It is clear I can't get anything from you" turning his head to face everyone he smirked, "Send my personal guard!" he yelled. Richard barked a laugh. Darken Rahl turned to him with mocked amusement.

"I am not scared of Demmin Nass. Much like I'm not scared of you" it was now Darken Rahl's turn to laugh as some of the Dragon Core soldiers left. Richard frowned.

"Oh no. The person I have in mind is far worse then my friend here. Maybe even more so than me. You'll be talking soon!" with that, he gave a nod to Demmin Nass who immediately, like a bull, charged towards Richard. Happy to finally do something, he punched Richard across the face with such force it knocked him out.

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

Fear and worry continued to surge through his body. But he used this to drive him onwards. A hundred thoughts ran through his head as well as the prospect that he may be dead. If he was, he needed a new plan and right now, he had none. Getting away from Darken Rahl would be no easy feat. Trying to think of solution, he heard grunting and the sound of chainmail. "Keep up!" he heard someone yell. Knowing whose voice that belonged to, Zedd was struck with dread once again. Quickly looking around, he found a dark alcove which he quickly hid in. With his dark clothing, it would be difficult to tell he was there.

"Kill him!" screamed a woman. Again, Zedd knew who that belonged to.

"He's no good to me dead!" said another. It was now that Zedd knew who they were talking about. Whilst still worried, he sighed with relief knowing that Richard was still alive. Then they came into view and the sight sickened him. Taken aback, Richard was cut and bloody. His right eye was bruised and closed shut. His hand looked broken angled in such a way. His entire slack body was being dragged along the floor by magic. His hands were shackled and he was gagged with a ball of needles. The pain Richard must be feeling is unpredictable. Zedd's heart panged that he wanted to run out and save him. But acting irrationally would only cause his own demise. Coming behind them all were several soldiers of the Dragon Core and others belonging to Queen Milena. More than the last time he checked.

"Then make sure he pays for doing this to my daughter!" screamed Queen Milena. She was cradling her bleeding daughter and Zedd smiled. He knew it wasn't Richard's work, but Rachel's. Whilst the sight was sad in a way, he knew she deserved it. The Queen, her make up smudged, continued to cry as Princess Violet lay unmoving, pale and convulsing at moments. "I must find a healer for my daughter Lord Rahl"

"Granted! Without the box, you're not needed!" the Queen picked up her pace and her guards followed. Running past Zedd she began screaming for help. Darken Rahl and Demmin Nass continued to walk down the corridors with Richard. Zedd, emerging from his hiding place once they went past him, closed his eyes and washed his hands over him. With that, Zedd turned invisible enabling him to follow Darken Rahl from behind. However, as they walked, Darken Rahl tilted his head, sensing other magic in the same area. Instead of acting on it, he chose to ignore it and continue walking.

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

Arriving outside, the sun now in the air, Zedd watched Richard get thrown to the grass below. He didn't move, not even when Demmin Nass forcefully kicked him in his ribs. Zedd heard a pop and desperately continued thinking of something. Richard's agony only made Zedd see less of sense. Stationed outside were hundreds of wagons, horses and more soldiers. The sight was quite breathtaking. "So, Elvin!" addressed Darken Rahl. "I will give you one final chance. Where is the box of Orden!" without a word, Richard spat blood at Darken Rahl. Demmin Nass goes to charge but Darken Rahl, once again, stops him and uses magic to remove the blood spat from his trousers. He smiles and looks over to the wagon. "Send her out, now!" he yelled. Zedd, unable to stand anymore, prepares an attack. Darken Rahl, sensing Zedd the entire time, spins around and waves his hand in the air. With a rippling motion, Zedd appeared to them all. Sensing his death, Zedd wasn't prepared to just stand still. He would go out trying to save Richard. Pulling back his hands, and hearing a wagon door opening, prepares his wizards fire. But he was struck dead with horror.

From the wagon appears a set of skin tight red leather. The squeak was heard from miles. She stepped out, her hair tied into a tight ponytail criss-crossed. Dangling from her wrist was a golden chain and attached to that was her weapon. A long, thick, red implement. Zedd's eyes widened as his horror rose. He then looked down at Richard with distraught for what he knew would come about. He then looked back at the woman making her way towards them. "Mord'Sith…" he uttered.

To Be Continued…

There we have it! Another chapter done and dusted and what a way to end it. The being coming for Richard is none other than a Mord'Sith – but who? What did you think of the overall chapter? As you can see, Jessica has come a long way from being timid and shy to a little fighter and rather effective too. Rachel, finding Zedd, was able to give him the box of Orden only for him to disguise it as a simple wooden box and give it to Rachel for herself and Jessica to protect and escape the castle with where they'll wait for Zedd.

Richard, who Zedd went after, was being tortured in the treasure room for information on not only who he is but where the box of Orden is. When getting nothing out of him, Richard was taken outside and once again, by Darken Rahl, demanded to know where the box was. With the only response a spit of blood, Zedd, preparing to reveal himself and fight is struck dead when finding the Mord'Sith exit a wagon to go for Richard.

What will this mean for Zedd who was found out by Darken Rahl? Where will Rachel and Jessica go and will they find safety? Who is this Mord'Sith and what part will she play? More importantly, it's a new day which means that Kahlan will set off with the white knight. What will come of her now that a simple plan to get the box of Orden has changed so badly? You'll have to review and, hopefully soon, the newest chapter will be released.

Until next time…