Kahlan sighed as she dragged the blade of Richard's sword along the ground. The additional weight was causing her to tire quickly, but she knew abandoning it would just result in him finding the weapon and using it against her once again. She stopped, using one hand to shield her eyes as she looked up at the sky. It would be nightfall soon. Kahlan had no idea where she was, wandering around aimlessly in the forested area until she came across a clearing.
Kahlan grimaced when she thought of how Richard would have known so easily where to go, where to hide for safety. However, she was hiding from him - not with him. The thought still shook her to the core. There were no wayward pines she could take refuge in, the area had many hills and very little shrubbery. She dropped the Sword of Truth to the ground and slumped against a tree trunk, resting her head against the bark. Her body needed rest.
xx
Richard was surprised with how much ground Kahlan had managed to cover in the short amount of time he had given her to flee. He felt rather naked without his sword, the weapon helping him keep his rage intact. Instead, he now thought rather fondly of Kahlan, the memories of past experiences flooding him with regret for what he was about to do.
Denna was his mistress, he would please her at all costs - even if one of these costs was his sanity, which he was sure he would lose after he ended Kahlan's life.
He quickly became frustrated, unable to find her. When he looked ahead, all he could see was a vast expanse of trees. Richard found himself relieved that he couldn't find her, knowing that as long as he wasn't around her - he couldn't kill her. However, his instructions were rather clear. Richard glanced around the woods, looking to the ground for tracks Kahlan had left. He knew that she wasn't making an effort to cover them, but he still found them rather difficult to find. This only added to his frustration.
After he had rested in the wayward pine, he had left to gather a small pack he had been carrying the whole time while hunting her. Richard abandoned it when he had found her, not wanting the extra luggage to weigh him down or be used against him. The pack was now the only thing he could use to defend himself - his sword stolen. It held small items of food, a pouch of water, and a small knife along with a makeshift crossbow. He thought it was odd that Denna had packed him the extra weapons, his mind fully set on killing Kahlan with his sword. Denna instinctively picked up on his comments and told him that he should never underestimate the Mother Confessor, that she was deadlier and more clever than anyone gave her credit for - even the old Richard.
Richard cursed at himself as he stepped through a mass of vines, upset that he had let the one chance he had to kill Kahlan slip through his fingers - all because of emotions and lust that he should no longer have for her. He could still feel her breath against his skin, her body under his as he fell on top of her after her strategically maneuvered attack. Richard slung the bag around his shoulder and fumbled with the ties, pulling out the small knife and tucking it in his belt before closing the pack and repositioning it on his back. It held small comfort, but comfort none the less.
xx
Kahlan took a deep breath as she glanced at the sword in front of her, her hands reaching to pull it closer to her. Her fingers traced the hilt of the sword, the word 'truth' adorning the handle. She thought it rather ironic that the Seeker of Truth was now bound to a Mord'Sith and her sick amusement. He no longer fought for truth - he fought for Denna. Kahlan felt moisture come to her eyes when she thought of how he used to fight for her. Her fingers slid down the blade, feeling the cool steel against her flesh. Kahlan swallowed, thinking of how this very sword could have been pierced through her heart. The man she loved used this sword to fight for good, and now the monster he had become was using it try and kill her. The sword used to be a symbol of goodness and virtue, of righteousness. Now she only viewed it as a nightmare. Her hands were now where Richard's hands had resided so long ago. This was the sword he had used to kill a D'Haran who was about to end her life, slicing into him quickly and letting his body fall to the ground. The fire burning behind Richard only made him seem like a good spirit in the flesh as he turned around and offered her his hand. That was the second day that they had known each other.
Kahlan choked back a sob as she threw the weapon. She was still weak, and the sword only managed to fly a few feet away from her. All that mattered to her was that it was out of reach. She wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her cheek on her knees, letting tears fall freely now. It would soon be night.
xx
Richard bit his cheek as he moved through the woods, ducking under branches and making no attempts to make his approach secretive. He just wanted to find her, that would be a triumph in itself. Richard realized that he would be content just finding her, that that was his new mission - not necessarily killing her, not right away. He cursed, fully aware that his rage was dying because his sword was not there to fuel it. He needed to get his hands on it once again if he wished to please his mistress - who, no doubt, was becoming aggravated with his prolonged absence.
He sighed in relief when he stepped into a clearing, now free of the woods. Richard had followed her tracks to the best of his abilities, and doubts ran across his mind that maybe she had taken a different direction. Richard smiled when he looked at the ground, her footsteps more clear and precise.
Kahlan had definitely gone this way.
Richard crouched, slowly moving forward. The area was scarcely covered, only a few trees growing. Hills were everywhere, some high enough for a person to hide behind. Richard considered this as he made his way past the mounds, taking note of how Kahlan was small and able to contract her body when it came to hiding. She was always quite good at hiding.
His breath caught in his throat after taking a few steps, seeing a slumped white figure leaning against a tree. She wasn't even trying to hide from him. Richard saw a glint of light reflect off of something, and he scanned the area until he found what caused the flare. He smiled when he realized it was the Sword of Truth. He noticed Kahlan's body was slightly shaking - she was no doubt crying.
The thought made his heart shatter. Richard shook his head, hoping to dispel the feelings. He reached into his pack, slowly pulling out the makeshift crossbow. He knew that from this distance, she wouldn't hear his movements - but he was still cautious. He positioned the small arrow against the indentation of the bow, squinting an eye as he focused on her.
From where he was, he couldn't make an effective hit. Kahlan's head was turned away from him, her side being the only thing he had access to. A small movement of her arm could prevent the arrow from dealing a deadly blow. Richard crouched lower behind the brush, making an elaborate swing with his arm so that the leaves and branches made a loud sound. Kahlan jumped slightly, turning her head in his direction.
Richard let go of the drawstring.