Chapter 5
Tyra urged the Mother Confessor along. They were still a mile or so from town and she was anxious to present her prize to Grantham. She had allowed Kahlan a moment to tie a bandage as best she could to help ease the flow of blood. It didn't do much good. She almost offered to help, but thought it best to keep her well guarded with the crossbow. They had continued on in silence since then, Kahlan in front, Tyra behind with her weapon pointed at Kahlan's back.
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Richard and Zedd had little trouble tracking them, not only was Kahlan's abductor careless in not covering their trail, but they only needed to follow the blood. Kahlan's blood. Richard's stomach was tied in knots. He tried to stay focused, but his mind started to wander to what evils might be befalling her right this moment. Zedd sensed his alarm and tried to reassure him. "Well find her my boy." He patted his shoulder as they continued to move along swiftly. Richard nodded trying to reassure himself as well.
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Grantham was indeed pleased with Tyra's prize. She had been right. He was more than willing to take her under his wing in exchange for the Mother Confessor. He knew if he held her, the Sword of Truth would soon follow. He was a bit surprised to learn just how simple Tyra's plan had been. Seems the Wizard's First Rule can befall anyone. The Mother Confessor truly believed her power was suppressed because she believed she wore an actual Rada' Han. He of course, did not share this information with the confessor and knew she was deadly in more was than one. For that reason, he kept her confined to a cell. The same cell he kept people in when he was practicing spells and incantations on them, far beneath his shop, so no one could hear their screams.
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Richard and Zedd arrived at the town just after dawn. The trail was harder to follow in town but Richard could still make it out. Though it made them harder to track, he was relieved to see that Kahlan's bleeding seemed to have subsided. They made their way down the narrow dirt streets. The trail came to an end in front of an apothecary shop, the door tucked away in the corner of a small alley. Not knowing what to expect on the other side, Richard drew his sword. Zedd followed him in, close at his heels.
"Kahlan!" Richard called for her as soon as he was inside. He carefully checked two of the rooms off the hallway. "Kahlan!" Zedd checked another room. He called for Richard. Richard found him with a wizard's web cast around a young woman. "Where's the Mother Confessor"? Richard demanded thru clenched teeth, his sword at her throat. The girl stammered "I…I don't know. Grantham the Great wizard wouldn't let me know where he was keeping her". Richard could feel the swords magic, his anger, raging through him. "Keep an eye on her" he told Zedd. He went to search the remaining room.
Richard found a trap door in the floor of the room. It was partially hidden under a desk and a small carpet. He threw his weight against the desk shoving it aside. Pulling open the door, he bypassed the steps and dropped himself directly to the ground below.
He found himself in an underground tunnel. The dirt floor, ceiling and walls absorbed most of the light given off by several torches.
Sword in hand, he rushed down the dimly lit passageway.
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Through the bars, Richard could see Kahlan chained to a wall by her wrists, her feet barely touching the ground, a Rada' Han around her neck. His eyes flicked to a man standing much too close to her. He was pressed up against her side, with a hand buried in her hair, his other hand sliding up her thigh like a snake. "Remove your hands" Richard seethed. He gripped his sword tightly allowing the anger to flood his body. Kahlan was barely conscious, her head held up only by the man's lecherous hand. She didn't seem to notice him or Richard. Seeing Richard only provoked the man. He pressed his sweaty face against her cheek as he slid his snakelike hand up her body, over her dress, gripping one of her breasts. "I can see why he's so fond of you Mother Confessor". He ran the full length of his tongue along the side of her face. Richard moved like an enraged bull. He used his sword to break the lock on the bars, kicking the door with such force, the sword had barely been necessary. He strode directly to the man, his blade raised, eager to slice him in two.
Grantham unleashed a stream of wizard's fire. Richard knew instinctively how to defend himself against this. He had once battled Zedd this same way, when Zedd had been confessed. Zedd's magic had been much more powerful than this. Grantham the Great was no match for the Seeker of Truth. Having his wizards fire reflected back on him knocked Grantham off his feet. Richard didn't hesitate to slice him thru with his sword, twisting it in the vile man's stomach. Richard shook with the rage he felt at this man's lurid touch on Kahlan. He turned to her.
"Kahlan!" He sheathed his sword as he strode toward her. Getting no response, fear gripped his heart. He lifted her head in his hands, he wasn't sure if she was unconscious or slipping away into death. He pressed his cheek to hers, tears falling down his face. What had they done to her? This was his fault…if he hadn't left her…Still holding her head tightly he whispered into her ear, "Kahlan, stay with me. Don't you leave me. Come back to me Kahlan". He pressed his face tighter to hers, desperation taking over him. "You can't leave me Kahlan. I love you. You must know I love you." Her head moved slightly side to side with her barely audible reply "No, Richard. Don't say that." His relief at hearing her voice competed with the pain he felt at her protest. How could she deny him his love? Holding her face tenderly, he leaned his head to look into her eyes. Her beautiful blue eyes. He could stare into them forever. "Kahlan, I love you. You know that. You must know that." A tear slid down her soft face. "Don't say that..." A hint of a smile touched her lips, she continued, "...not when I'm chained to this wall and I can't put my arms around you." Richard's knees went weak, relief flooding his body. Holding her with one arm, he pulled his sword from its scabbard and had her free of the chains in an instant. Kahlan fell into his arms as she was released. Richard let the sword drop to the ground to keep hold of her, pulling her close. In the damp darkness of the cell, they clung to each other.
Relieved to find her safe, yet still feeling the anguish at having her taken from him, Richard gripped her shoulders more intensely than he realized. Kahlan looked to the ground trying to hide the pain in her face. He stood there, holding her shoulders, soaking in the sight of her, willing her to look up into his eyes. His whisper came in a rasp "Kahlan". Slowly her blue eyes came up to meet his. "Thank the spirits you're all right".
"Richard, I..." Before she could say anything more, his lips tenderly found hers. Richard relaxed at the feel of her mouth on his. He let the warmth of her melt into him as he tightened his embrace, pulling her to him. She held tight to him, so relieved to be with him again, to feel his warmth against her. She had feared she'd never see him again. She had feared she would never have the chance to be with him, to kiss him, to hold him.
Now that she wore a Rada' Han, that's exactly what she intended. She'd had plenty of time to think about it as she hung by her wrists in this dingy cell. All she could think of was dying here, never having held him the way she wanted to.
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