A/N : Sorry for the long wait. I've had loads of problems thrown at me last week *heavy sigh* but I cope. So here's another Chapter (again, My special thanks to Rosewings86 who's willingly help me with the editing. U rock !)
Disclaimer : I don't own LOTS, only admiring…..
CHAPTER 3
Enemy
"Awake now, Seeker ? It's about time." Cara's sinister voice was the first thing he heard as he opened his eyes. Blinking a couple of times to adjust at the morning light, he shook his head at the sight of the Mord Sith, who stood by the door frame, groaning at her early appearance. He glanced over at the other bed in the room, Zedd was already up.
"I've never thought you would actually care enough to wake me, Cara." Richard said smirking, taking a slight amusement from her sour face as she exhaled sharply at his comment.
She crossed her hands over her chest, eyes fixed at the Seeker.
"Get yourself ready, there's something we need to talk about. Zedd is waiting outside." she said coldly, moving a hand on her hips as she walked back outside. Richard grabbed a clean shirt and went for a quick bath before catching up with her. He thought about lots of things, while taking a bath, but mostly about the Mother Confessor. After sharing a dance with him, she was off to sit with Darius, and unfortunately Richard didn't get another chance to talk to her the rest of the night.
Outside, Zedd was eating the breakfast that was set on top of a square stone table, his mouth crunching the fried fish head. Cara was only drinking tea, her eyes drawn to the old wizard in front of her once in a while, and she winched at the sight of his appetite that seemingly never die off.
"Ah, Richard. Come take a seat." He said, as Richard approached.
"They made a very nice soup." he added, finishing the last bite of his food. Richard looked at Zedd, then at Cara before he glanced around.
"Where's Kahlan?" he asked, pulling up an empty chair for him to sit on.
"She's fine, Richard. " Zedd answered, taking a sip of his tea. "Now eat and listen. According to the myth, which of course has proven to be true, this island was first found by the third descendant of Aydindril. He's the one who placed the barrier to hide it during the dark age. He brought thirty people here to guard 'the third eye', which, I believe hidden somewhere in this island." Richard listened with eagerness while scooping the mushroom soup from his bowl. "What's a 'third eye?" Richard asked, placing his already empty bowl onto the table.
"It will let you see beyond the unseen. If you possess it, you can see through the deepest depth of darkness. It holds a very powerful magic. I was once said that Aydindril went to the underworld and made it back safely with the help of this thing. And if we're going to the west, to the Dragonback Mountain, we need to get it." He finished, taking another sip of his tea before glanced over at Cara. Richard followed his gaze, looking at the Mord Sith who stood with her back to them. She turned her head a little to look at Richard.
"I think that's what the dark wizard and his friends came here for. But I'm not so sure the Confessor's friend has 'taken care of them' like he said. There are some odd things about Neil's story." Richard straightened his back at her words.
"I knew there's something wrong with that man." he said, full of eagerness. "Have you tell Kahlan about this?" he asked both Zedd and Cara. "Where is she anyway ?" Cara rose an eyebrow, a visible smile twitching on her lips.
"She was off early in the morning." she answered lightly. Then, almost teasingly, she added, "With an old friend." There was a slight amused look on her face as she watched Richard's eyes widened at what he heard.
"Well, I think it's time for me to get some information about where the third eye is hidden." and with that Zedd was off, followed by Cara, leaving the Seeker alone with his troubled thoughts.
* * *
"You're a lot better than I remembered." Darius smirked. With a small tug, his horse stopped, spluttering. Kahlan jumped off of her horse, giving it two light taps on the neck, a smile on her face.
"I wonder, do you still remember our fighting lesson?" He suddenly asked, charging forward, aiming his fist at Kahlan. She ducked under his arm, twirling around until she was behind him, chuckling softly. He turned around quickly, throwing yet another fist, and caught Kahlan's hand with the other one, but she slipped off easily. He lunged once more, but she was fast enough to avoid the attack, rolling on the ground before she leapt above him and hit him on the back.
The fight went on, while from the other side of the meadow, Richard, who was looking for Kahlan, finally saw the scene. His lips pressed into a thin line as he watched the two friends practicing their skills. He had an odd feeling, somewhere in the back of his mind, that urged him to go over there, while a small voice in his head told him to stay away. Its not often she has a chance to be with an old friend, and she seems to be enjoying having him around. Perhaps I should let them be.
Just before he made a hard decision to turn away, Kahlan caught on to his presence and called for him, resigning from the duel.
"Richard, how long have you been in there?" she asked as she walked over to him, wiping the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand.
"A while." he answered shortly before added. " Long enough to see you're not giving him a real fight, you could have beat him easily, why didn't you?"
"It's not a good thing to embarrass someone at his own house." was her simple and only reply. She waved a hand at Darius who was coming their way before turned her gaze back at Richard. There was a strand of hair on her forehead that Richard was about to brush away, his hand already lifted halfway, when Darius called from behind her and she turned her head to look at him. The Seeker pulled back his hand, clenching his jaw as the man did what he was about to do a moment ago. This time he didn't bother to form a smile for the Confessor's old friend, not even a small nod at his presence. He simply stood there, and stared.
Darius offered him a smile. "It's an honour to have a Seeker here, I've heard a lot about you from Kahlan." he began. His eyes, again, looking at her with a visible adoration. Richard had noticed this ever since they arrived on the island. To Richard, it seemed to have grown worse, a lot worse.
"She also told me about your quest, I'm really sorry I cannot help. I've never heard of 'the third eye' before." He said, before Richard could reply, he added. "But I can show you where you might find it. "
There was a long pause before Richard made a reply. "That would be great, we appreciate your help." Without even realising it, Richards hand had found Kahlan's softer ones, feeling her delicate fingers in his grasp. "We need to tell Zedd and Cara" he added.
"Well, then. I'll see you later at my place." and with a final glance at Kahlan, Darius withdrew.
"I can tell he's hiding something." Richard muttered after he left. Kahlan sighed at this.
"I know." she replied. Richard paused, pulling her to a stop.
"You know?" He grimaced. "If he's dangerous, then you shouldn't be alone with him. If something hap-"
"Nothing's going to happen, Richard." she interrupted, pulling her hand away from his.
"I thought we agreed not to let your feelings for me get in the way again. We need his help to find the 'third eye', and we're not going to get if you keep on being rude to him just because me." she said irritably.
"Rude? He's the one that keeps on taking you away in purpose. Did you see the way he looked at me?" Kahlan shook her head slightly at this.
"Have you seen the way you look at him?" she asked back. Richard opened his mouth to reply, but he swallowed back, knowing she was right.
"I'm always afraid that because of me, you will fail." she sighed again, closing her eyes.
"My duty is to make sure you're save and succeed in your mission Richard. And if I really get in your way, I'm afraid you might have to find another confessor." she added wearily. Richard stared at her with wide eyes, not believing at what he just heard. He was about to make a reply when she cut him off abruptly.
"I've made a promise I will never leave you, don't make me break it, Richard. I don't want to die from guilt." I'm sorry….. I have to make sure you'll be save, Richard.
* * *
Cara stopped short in her tracks and spun around to find a startled Neil chuckling nervously at her sharp senses. She cocked her head to the side, glaring at the young boy.
"What are you doing?" She asked in a dangerously low voice. He swallowed soundly before saying, "I heard the white wizard's asking about a sacred place, something about magic, and treasures. I think I know where it is." She narrowed her eyes instinctively, studying the boy for a moment before giving him a faint nod.
"Fine, show us the way." she paused for a second, releasing her hand from the agiel.
"Next time make sure you don't stalk me if you want to talk. Or else I might accidentally kill you." she warned and without word, she turned toward Zedd who was walking few feet in front of her.
"The boy has something to say." she told the white haired wizard. Neil ran a hand on his bare arm, lifting his head to look up at the tall wizard.
"I know a sacred place where a treasure might be hidden." He said carefully. "But we must ask permission from my master to go there." A quiet scoff escaped from Cara's lips before she could do anything to stop it.
"Why do you keep calling him master? As far as I know, you were here longer than he was. You were born here, he's only a visitor."
"Master saved my life, and the others." The boy countered. "If not for him, we would all be dead. Me, and five others crossed the barrier three years ago, then a group of pirates attacked us. My master saved us. And he also saved us from the dark wizard."
"Forgive this lady, my boy. She was just … curious." Zedd offered a smile at the young boy.
"Take us to your master then." Neil gave him a small nod, when they saw Richard and Kahlan marching toward them.
"We have to go." Cara said, her gaze falling upon Richard, who had a pain expression on his face. She rose an eyebrow at him. "Is everything ok, Seeker?" Cara asked a bit teasingly.
Richard intentionally waited until Zedd, Kahlan and Neil started walking before he stood by the mord sith. He gave her a meaningful glare, muttering under his breath, "For a Mord Sith, you have a very annoying sense of humour." she almost laughed at this.
"Not everyday I can see you regret your decision." and with that, she swayed lightly toward the other, leaving the angry Seeker to catch up.
It was nearly afternoon when they arrived at the woods. They had left their horses down the hill and continued the journey by foot. The field was difficult to explore, many giant rocks were scattered around, and there were few smoky holes that spouted their heat when the group walked nearby. The place was oddly quiet. There was no sound of birds or any other animals, not even small insects.
"I thought hot springs only existed if there's volcano nearby." Richard muttered out loud, trying not to look annoyed when Darius offered a hand to Kahlan. It was quite disturbing though. Kahlan normally made a face and would say, 'I can take care of myself'. whenever Richard tried to help her. He was actually hoping that she would do the same to Darius, but unfortunately, she took his hand and let him pulled her up to a huge rock that stood in their way.
Zedd took a small stone from the ground before he turned to Richard. "They're not hot springs, but fireholes, created by a very powerful wizard." He threw the small stone into one of the holes, and a huge flame burst out few meters away like the dragon breath. Neil yelped, nearly fell down if not for Cara who caught him by the elbow.
"Watch your step." she said irritably.
"There might be traps, we have to be careful." Zedd warned, leading the group along with Darius. They all proceeded with caution. Cara was only one step behind Zedd and Neil was just a few feet away from her. Richard, who was walking at the back suddenly stopped.
"We're not alone." he whispered to Kahlan as she came to his side.
"I know, but we have to keep moving. I don't think it's a good idea to stay here when it's dark." she replied.
"We're here!" Darius called from the front, and they rushed forward, joining the rest of the group. In front of them was a dark cave, covered by wild plants, hanging low from above. Darius was the first to go in. Before Neil could follow him, Cara caught his arm.
"Is this the same cave where you saw your master fought the dark wizard?" The boy gave a small nod, and she let him go, while she stood at the entrance with Zedd, waiting for Richard and Kahlan.
"Something is not right." she said once they were there.
"We still have to go in. Just be careful." Richard said before he lead them in. Darius and Neil were already waiting inside, both were holding torches. Neil gave his torch for Richard to hold. The damp air in the cave welcome them as they went deeper inside. Apparently, at the end of the turn, there was no longer a path, just a solid wall, standing stubbornly before them. Zedd came to the front, chanting one spell after another, but it remain unmoved, even by the blow of his magic.
"Wait, I don't think that's the door." Richard stepped forward. His eyes roaming over the cave, and he caught something. Cautiously, he bent down, using the torch to see better. Right where they stood, there was a symbol carved neatly on the floor, covered by dirt and dust. Beneath it, were written a few words.
"It's using the same language as the book of counted shadow." Richard mumbled, mostly to himself. The others watched with excitement as he read the words quietly.
"We have to use blood." he said, looking at Kahlan. "Give me your blade." Using Kahlan's dagger, Richard made a shallow cut on his palm, allowing his blood to fill the symbol. Once it was fully covered by his blood, the floor started to crumble, and everyone backed away .
The floor cracked, it was a solid stone door that suddenly opened, revealing a spiral staircases under it, creating a path far in the depth of earth.
"Well done, Seeker." a voice suddenly emerged out of nowhere, followed by a dark shadow coming from behind them. "I was starting to become desperate as I couldn't figure out how to open that door."
Everyone went alert, the sword of truth created a sharp gush of air as Richard pulled it in reflect, his hands holding the hilt tightly. Kahlan was ready with her blades, and Cara with her agiel, her weight on the back of her legs. But Zedd was the most startled one. He froze momentarily as the dark figure came to a clear form in front of them. The old wizard held his breath, his eyes were wide as saucers.
"We meet again, Zedd." the dark wizard said coldly. "What's wrong? Did I scared you?" he mocked.
"You're suppose to be dead." Zedd croaked, not believing at what he saw.
The dark wizard laughed wickedly. Without warning, he lifted his hand, and a strong rope tied Zedd's wrists, before his body slammed to the wall with a loud crack.
End of Chapter 3
Author's rant : Ok, Let me make this short and sharp. I've got lots of story alerts and what's irritating me is that : Many of you who read this story never leave me any review. So, to get me going and write another chapter, give me some love guys ! I'm getting a little bored here !
Love,
LonelyLittleDevil