Denna had been outraged when Kahlan escaped, taking her anger out on him for many hours after the soldiers reported that they couldn't find the Mother Confessor. Richard was sure that his entire body was covered in bruises or blood, in many cases both. The shackles bit into his skin, Denna's constant beating made him sway in the chains, causing the metal to dig deeper into his already torn flesh.

Richard was vaguely aware of Darken Rahl being dead. He knew Denna was taking out her grief on his body. However, she had abandoned her agiel. He thanked the spirits for the good fortune. Denna's leather clad hand was enough to bring Richard to tears, his skin already battered from her previous use of the agiel.

The moment Denna had screamed, Richard felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He felt his utter to devotion to Denna wane, but her constant beatings kept him hanging on her every word and movement. He was sure she was going to beat him to death. Richard's whole body ached, Denna never stopping. She breathed heavily and cried as she continued to strike him, yelling and calling him a failure.

One thing stood out in his mind: Kahlan had killed Darken Rahl.

If he could smile, he would have. That woman was a force to be reckoned with. Richard felt relief that she had escaped, hoping she'd stay away and wouldn't be foolish enough to come back and try to free him. Now that his bond with Denna was significantly weaker, his emotions for the raven haired woman stood out among all others. His love bloomed instead of dwindled. Denna could tell she was losing her hold on him, and she would beat him all the more. It didn't matter, none of it mattered. Kahlan was alive. Since the day he saw her running in the forest, her survival was his top priority.

Denna stepped back from him, blinking away tears. "This benefits you in no way, Seeker. You are still my pet and will do as I say."

Richard didn't respond, his body too weary to give her the response she wanted. Denna punched him in the ribs and he coughed up blood, adding to the caked on residue already on his face. Richard attempted to open his eyes, his throat hoarse as he croaked out an agreement. Denna smiled weakly and looked around the room, nodding to herself. Her grin spread as she stepped forward, grabbing his chin in her hand.

"I have a new mission for you, pet. I have no doubt that you will succeed." The blonde glared at him, her icy blue eyes conveying threats. Richard nodding against her hand, ready to accept whatever she was about to propose.

Denna let go of him and stormed out of the room, slamming the cellar door behind her. Richard swayed in his restraints, taking note of the time of day. It was still bright outside. Denna had only been beating him half a day and he already felt worse than he had the entire duration of his 'training.'

Richard smiled as he let his head fall against his arm, his thoughts drifting to Kahlan. Now that the fog over his head was cleared slightly, the implications of what she had said so long ago floated around in his mind. She had lied, she did feel the same for him as he did for her. That alone was enough to make him wish to live, or to allow him to die with joy in his heart. He took refuge in her vibrant blue eyes, the special smile she only gave to him, the way her hair cascaded down her back. Richard had spent many hours memorizing her form, observing the way she walked and how she acted. He now recalled all those mental observations and replayed them in his head, the thoughts soothing and calming him as he awaited for Denna to come back and give him his verdict.

When the door opened, Richard was surprised to see three other Mord'Sith with Denna. He furrowed his brows, looking to each one. The four women had a malicious grin on their faces.

Denna sauntered up to him, resting a leather clad hand on his heart. "This will be quite the task, are you sure you can do it?" She teased, her lips brushing against his. Richard swallowed and nodded slightly, his body protesting any movement. She smiled. "Good. I need you to hunt down the Mother Confessor and slit her throat," Richard's eyes grew in shock as Denna laughed. "Actually, bleed her dry. Ending her life that quickly would be too much of a luxury. She needs to suffer." Richard opened his mouth but no sound came out. Despite Denna losing a significant amount of power over him, he was still compelled to do what she wished. Even though his mind was against it, his body would comply to keep him from being killed. Self preservation was kicking in and Richard cursed the spirits.

"And to ensure that you actually succeed in this," a dark haired Mord'Sith stepped forward, a look of utter disgust crossing her features. Richard groaned inwardly, knowing she was referring to the incident when he had left Kahlan in the woods. He didn't care, it was the best decision he had ever made. "We will be accompanying you." Richard's eyes grew wider, a murmur of protest rising in his throat.

"That whore killed Darken Rahl," Denna snapped, slapping Richard across the face. "She deserves no sympathy. He was your lord as well, Richard," she hissed. "You may have loved her once, but no more. You belong to me." Denna's heated gaze drifted from him as her hand resided back over his heart. "This will be the most difficult thing you will ever have to do, Richard. You will be rewarded well when you return." Denna moved her head by his ear. "What she could never give you, I will provide you with at your command. Bring me the dead body of the Mother Confessor and I will be yours." She purred into his ear. Even though the women were amazing at torture, Richard knew they would be equally talented at pleasing. He had no doubt that she would still control him, he would just get the benefit of lying with her. If that could be called a benefit. It seemed more like an extension of torture to him. The only woman he would bed was Kahlan.

A smaller woman stepped up, stopping when she reached the dark haired Mord'Sith. "If you attempt to deceive us, we will kill you before the thought fully crosses your mind." Her green eyes bore through him, her threat becoming a promise.

Denna smiled as she stepped away from Richard, her eyes glancing between him and the three other women. "You will treat these women as if they were your mistresses, following every order they give. Do you understand, my pet?" Richard cringed as he nodded. He had no idea how he would be able to succeed at this mission when taking a breath hurt. More importantly, he had to figure out a way to get these women to kill him before he was anywhere near Kahlan.

"This is Vivian." Richard glanced at the green eyed woman. She had light brown hair and soft features. Her countenance, however, was hard. "She has quite a short temper, shorter than mine." Denna lifted an eyebrow in his direction and he stared at the woman. He had sized the women up when they had walked in. Vivian was certainly going to be the most difficult to deal with.

Denna turned to the dark haired woman that had stepped forward, smiling before she redirected her gaze towards Richard. "This is Amelia. If you cooperate with her, then she will benefit you in many ways." Richard wasn't sure what that meant, but he nodded. She had a larger build than Vivian, her features more defined. She had a strong chin and dark brown eyes. Her skin was the darkest of the women, matching Richard's skin tone. She was a threat, but wasn't the most dangerous.

"And this," Denna walked over to the remaining woman, pulling her by the arm to stand in line with Vivian and Amelia. She had blonde hair like Denna, but it was slightly darker. Her eyes were bright blue, reminding him of Kahlan's. Her features were kind. Richard found it odd to see the woman in red leather. She seemed sweet and innocent, but he knew not to underestimate women who seemed non-lethal. He had assumed that of Kahlan and been proven wrong. "This is Lily." Denna smiled as she slapped Lily on the back. Lilies were Kahlan's favorite flowers. Richard's heart swelled at the thought and he eliminated Lily as a threat, even though he knew she was the most dangerous. The woman didn't look fearful, but she didn't look determined either. Richard felt as though she didn't want to be in the situation. She was the one piece that didn't seem to fit.

"Don't underestimate her, Richard. She is quite deadly, despite her innocent appearance." Denna smiled as she looked at him. "I've seen her destroy a quad of Darken Rahl's finest men. She's a fighter," Denna punched Lily on the arm. "She trains her pets well."

Richard glanced between the two. Denna hadn't necessarily lied, but she didn't tell the truth either. From the look on Lily's face, it was obvious she had not killed those men for sport. Richard had no doubt that she killed them for survival and was later recruited. He found that even more odd about her. Mord'Sith were stolen as children and raised into being the monsters they were. Lily was lacking considerably compared to the other three women. That benefited him. Perhaps she still had some of her humanity left that he could grasp onto. After all, he was told to obey the three as though they were Denna. Having a friend among the group would be quite beneficial.

Silence fell over the room and Richard observed their actions. It seemed as though they were awaiting him to voice his opinions - well, more precisely his agreement. Vivian, although the smallest, seemed the largest figure in the room. Her arms were crossed as she stared at him. Amelia pursed her lips as she shifted her weight, the leather creaking. Lily, however, seemed to be indifferent to the situation. She didn't look at him or at her companions, instead she held her hand in front of her face, observing the leather she wore.

Denna glared at him, as though he was supposed to know what he was meant to do. Richard blankly stared at her. "Are you ready, Seeker?"

Richard's heart hammered, not wanting to agree to kill Kahlan. His body, however, begged him to do so. He was broken and torn, his need to survive overwhelming all of his senses. Richard warily glanced between the three.

"Yes."