Disclaimer : I love LOTS, but i don't own it
Author's note : This will be the last Chapter for this story. I've planned the sequel, but i'm afraid i won't be able to write it down yet. I'll be very busy these few weeks, so I'm not sure i'm gonna write again soon. I hope you enjoy this one, tell me what u guys think about it, ok ?
EPILOGUE
It's nearly afternoon when the ship finally ready. Neil and the villagers have been preparing it since dawn, a big old ship they've been keeping in the deep shore of the island. About a dozen men will be the crews, and Neil will come as well, taking us back to midland as their special thanks and parting gift. Whatever it is, I'm just glad we finally can leave this place and continue our journey. I bet Cara feels the same way. She already waits at the deck with one hand on her hip, watching with narrow eyes as the crew settling the food onto the ship. Now that I see those food, where in the world is Zedd ? and Kahlan, I've seen her walked to the river not so long ago, and she should be back by now. With a frown on my face, i follow her trails back to the river.
I hear the splashing sound of the water and I look out from the bushes quite far from there to find Kahlan bending at the edge of the river, rubbing both her hands with the rushing water again and again, and then she does the same thing with her face as if she cannot stop, and I know exactly what's happening. I feel the very same rage boiling my blood in that instant, watching as she tries to rinse away whatever trails Darius has left there. If I haven't kill that man, I will definitely kill him all over again.
I couldn't stand watching as she scratches her skin to bleed and I nearly call her name when I see Zedd coming over from the other side. She stops short when Zedd places his hand on her arms and pulls her to stand. I listen carefully to what he says.
" Enough, my child. You cannot be much cleaner than you are now " he says. " What is it you worry about ? if it is about Richard, I can say that you shouldn't be. " And he's right. She shouldn't be worrying about me, it's her I'm worry about.
" He always try to save life. And at the moment back there, I saw the darkness in his eyes when he killed that man, just because of me. Look what I've done to him, Zedd. "
I hardly suppress a sigh at her words, and I turn around in reflect, flattening my back against the big tree, hoping they won't know that I've been watching. I should leave, I know. If she doesn't want to tell me what's bothering her, I know I shouldn't be here and let her has her privacy. But spirits only know how hard that is, for not knowing, for seeing her suffers of something she shouldn't be. I can feel the darkness inside me every seconds and every breath I take, it's in my blood, nothing will ever change that or who I am, as I am a Rahl. It's within me, it's a part of me and I wish I can tell her how much her presence has been helping me to control that dark part of me all along. She has to know, I would have gone mad if not because of her. I've never told Zedd how powerful that part is, gnawing and growing and consuming with each life I took in the battles. I never want Zedd or anyone else, especially Kahlan to know how I've been fighting this darkness of mine, because sometimes I loose myself in it. Just like yesterday. I could have spare his life, but I didn't. I killed him, and I feel no regret in it.
With my heart beat's slowing, I listen carefully again. Zedd is saying something I hardly hear, and I turn my head slowly, peeking behind the branches. He's trying to get Kahlan's hair off her right shoulder as she shakes her head and backs away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, and I finally know why. As her hair falls behind her back, I see the bite mark under her front right shoulder that I haven't see before, and I fight back a snarl, clenching my teeth and fisting my hands so hard with a low cracking sound and I hold my breath, wishing quietly that they cannot hear it. But I can't bring myself to look away when Zedd waves his fingers gently infront of her, and the mark is gone, then he brings her into a hug, letting her spill the tears she's been holding infront of me.
" My whole life…I've seen death and all, but I've never felt so afraid before, and so … humiliated. I was blinded by the warm feeling of meeting someone that shared my past, someone close to a family. I never thought I could be so stupid " she croaks against my grandfather's chest. " If Richard hasn't come, if only he was a little late than he did, then I might … and I would have killed myself, Zedd " she adds in a little whisper, and I let out a curse under my breath. Perhaps I was too generous, giving that man a quick death. I should have sliced him to pieces, or skinned him alive before I stopped his heart from beating.
I have to go. If I stay another minute here, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself and run to her. So I decide to leave it to Zedd for now, and I walk back stealthily, trying to put my rage under control. My sword gives a strong vibrate each time this rage burning inside me, and I hold the hilt tightly against my belt, inhaling and exhaling to suppress the fury. You've killed him, Richard. I told myself. You've came at the right time before he did anything further. Still, I can't get the image out from my head and the worse thing is … I know that Kahlan is more suffering because she knows about it. But does she know what's in my heart ? Does she know that my feelings for her is far beyond love ? It's too much to bear, too complex, no word can ever describe what I truly feel for her, love is one thing, but again, I know it is much more than that.
" We suppose to be leaving now. Where's Kahlan and Zedd ? " Cara calls from my back and I spin boldly at her sudden appearances. Before I can answer, she turns her head to look over my shoulder, and I follow her gaze. Zedd is walking toward us with Kahlan by his left, whatever feelings she has at the moment, whether it is sad, or fright, she hides it well behind her calm expression, eventhough her eyes can't lie.
It takes me a great effort not to jump over and grab her in that instant, telling her that everything's going to be just fine. But she isn't the girl I saw crying in my grandfather's arms back there. The girl standing infront of me right now is a strong independent Confessor, the one that will not break upon any pain or torture. So all I can do is offering her a sincere smile, and say "The ship is ready, we can leave now ".
She nods quietly, and I take her hand in mine, squeezing her soft graceful fingers gently, and we start walking. Cara looks at me with the same look she gave me the first time we came to this place, and I have a sudden urge to tease her, take it as a payback for her comments the other day.
" It looks to me someone will be missing this island. " I said as we walk. Zedd makes no reply, but Cara cocks her head aside, rising an eyebrow at me. She gets it. " I heard that you're getting along pretty well with Neil "
I can hear she hiss as she squares her shoulders. " He tried to save my life "she replies without looking at me.
Kahlan looks at me with questioning eyes, and I smile. Oh, this might light her up a bit. So I continue my attack at the mord sith. " So I've heard, a brave one he is. And you saved him using the breath of life. Tell me, is it just my thought, or you are getting soft hearted ? "
This time she growls and it gets louder as Zedd looks at her with a wide grin I rarely see. Kahlan is looking at her too, and Cara suddenly stops, turning boldly to face me. With a grim look on her face, in a low annoyed tone, she says " I always know it's not healthy to hang out with you people ". And with that, she marches without us. Her hair bouncing wildly on her back. And I chuckle, it's an amusing thing, teasing her. I know she's not a stone hearted lady, she just needs to dig in deeper to understand it herself.
" Beware, my boy. You've just woke a sleeping tiger " Zedd told me humorlessly, and I know that he's right. You don't want to deal with an angry mord sith. Well, I guess that's a risk worth taking, since I see a small smile on Kahlan's lips, and a little sparkle in her eyes.
* * *
When we arrive at the ship, Zedd rushes to the deck, sitting gleefully on the log and grab the food at his front. I let Kahlan goes up first before I catch up behind her. And then we sail, right when the sunset hit the horizon. The compass is still pointing to the west, and there we shall go once we reach the midland, and I'm hoping that in the next journey, we can finally find the stone of tears.
I just realize that I'm still holding Kahlan's hand when Zedd pulls me to sit with him, and I pull her along. Cara is coming with Neil following behind, and she gives me a warning look not to say a word. This time, I oblige. We barely talk during dinner, but I'm glad to see Kahlan finally gets her appetite back. She hasn't really eat a thing since yesterday and I've been so worry about her. As I watch her nibbles at the fresh berries, I couldn't help but smile to see the red juicy fruits add more colors on her glossy lips, and I ask myself 'how is it possible for her to look like that every time ? so beautiful, so tempting, so … dazzling.'
She looks at me clueless and I grin stupidly with the chicken leg dangling on my hand. Even a seeker can be embarrassing sometimes, I admit. But I'm also a man, a man in love who happens to have the duty to save the world, with wars and death breathing under my neck.
Cara has finished her food, and she drinks the plain water in the bamboo cup. I see Kahlan is doing the same, while Zedd still eating I'm not sure what, something with thick gravy that I never touch. " When do you think we will arrive in midland ? " Cara asked, still holding her cup.
" With this speed ? I think we should be arriving tomorrow about midnight. Right, Neil ? " I answered, turning at Neil and he nods, then I turn back to find Cara already stands with her eyes fixed on mine.
" The faster, the better. Right, Lord Rahl ? " and there she adds the name most people fear about, in a tone filled with respect and probably a slight tease. I find her becoming more fond these days, and Kahlan sees it too, they get along pretty well lately, which is good. So I simply nod at her and she walks away to the back side of the ship.
The air is much colder than the first time we sail on this sea, stuffy, but chilling to the bones. There are two cabins that prepared for us, but we all choose to stay above, and let some of the crews use the cabins. We used to live in the wild with dangers at our tail, but these people don't, so I think it's the least we can do. It's getting late, and I see Zedd sits crossed legs with his eyes closed, eventhough I doubt he's asleep. Cara's still awake, determines to listen to Neil's rambling while wearing the very same annoyed look on her face. Yes, it's kind of amusing , really.
On my left, Kahlan's standing motionless with her eyes looking far through the darkness of night, her hands clasped together. The wind blows her dress and caused the material to cling perfectly on her curves. Oh, I really have to put my eyes somewhere else. But I can't.
I know she doesn't want to sleep. She cannot sleep. She's been screaming in her trance the other night, what happened in the island won't be easy for her to forget, and I curse that Darius into the foulest depth of hell for the thousandth times since that day. She closes her eyes and I can hear she exhales deeply, and again, the sorrow clouded her face. What is it she's been thinking ? Will she tell me if I ask ? What is it that makes her hurt ?
I wish things could be a little more simple for both of us. There's nothing I want more in this world than to be with her. But for now, I just want to hold her, wiping the sorrow out from her face, erasing those frowns and sadness. Surely Zedd won't mind, right ?
" Focus on the task ahead, Richard " Zedd says suddenly, opening his eyes only to shut them back again. With my right foot still hanging midway, I count quietly to five and stares at him in disbelief. How does he do that ? Can wizards read minds ?
" Trust me, my boy. Yours not too difficult to predict " He says again, and my shoulders slump. I look over at Kahlan and then Zedd, and in that short seconds, I've made up my mind. I let my heart lead the way, and soon, I'm standing right beside her, trying to see what she's been looking at behind those layers of darkness. The thick clouds slowly parted, revealing the half moon, its light reflected on the wavering water, casting a gloomy circle on the surface. The soft light graces her face and I hold my breath to see her beauty.
Kahlan shifts from my side and sits on the flooring, she's shivering slightly and I sit beside her, circling my arm around her shoulder. " You're cold " I said, pulling her closer, and my heart start to race at the proximity.
" Why don't you sleep ? " she asks, her blue eyes looking straight at mine.
" I'm not sleepy " I lie.
Gently, she places her hand on my cheek and I feel the warmth of her skin in mine. My mind's swirling with dreams, joyous dreams, and my skin's humming with delight. How wonderful the feeling is. I cover her hand with my own and I kiss her palm. Does she always smell like this ? so intoxicating. And I can no longer hold my ground as I cup her face and kiss her, with all the love there is in me, with all the flame of passion that burn inside of me. The familiar jolt strike me and my mind went instantly blank, the weights on my shoulders gone in all sudden, no more pain, no more heavy thoughts as she kisses me back with the very same passion. I'll never get tired of this, all the moments I share with her. I love her with every fiber of my being, and I would do anything for her, I will cross the underworld and get back if that's what it takes to be with her, hell yes I will. I don't know what I would do without her, she's my life, my everything, the very reason of my existence, the very breath I take. I am nothing without her.
I never want this kiss to end, but she pulls back eventually, too fast for my liking. But I see the faint blush on her face and I smile against her hair, breathing her in. I rub her arm gently and she leans in, flattening her palm against my chest. Her touches burn my skin, a pleasure and torture that I'm happily welcome. Zedd is muttering something I couldn't make out, and Cara is looking at us with her arms cross on her chest. I give her the best smile I have, gesturing at Neil beside her and she throws her gaze to the water. I can hardly hide my chuckle as I bring Kahlan closer, holding her tight and I wish I never have to let her go. She closes her eyes and I close mine, we could sleep like this, together.
Or not.
My eyes snapped open and Kahlan's already on her feet, her eyes narrow. In the gloomy light of night, I see four small boats coming closer to our ship, each carrying five to six armed men. Behind those small boats, a big ship is waiting. Pirates !
" Get into the cabins ! " I tell the crews. They are just villagers that never hold weapons, this isn't their fight. So now it's only five of us, since Cara cannot get rid of Neil. The first attack come from her side, and she draws both her agiels, giving no chance to the enemies.
Five men attack me at once, but they're not as tough as their looks. That makes Zedd unbothered, and he chooses to simply sit back, watching us enjoy the little night exercise, pumping up our adrenalins. We can easily overtake them, or kill all of them if we want to. But we don't. I see Cara gets two men fall from the deck and another three crouching in pain by her feet, I dare say they must never have felt the agiels before. Neil uses the soup bowl to crack one man's head, and the boy grins at his success. I took care nine of my men, throwing half of them to the sea, while Kahlan knock out the rest six men.
With her hands at the captain's neck, as her eyes turns inky black, she confesses him. And there lies our absolute triumph. Now I think we can use some sleep before the dawn wakes us.
THE UNEXPECTED QUEST ……. FIN