Kahlan shielded her eyes from the sun as she looked towards the sky. It was only midday and she felt as though she had been traveling for years. It had been five days since she had escaped from captivity. Kahlan knew she should return to Aydindril, but she didn't wish to do so. She was scared that the great city would lay in ruins, that the D'Haran army wasted the heart of the Midlands despite Richard's word. She sighed as she glanced around, happy to find a wayward pine. In fact, the entire area was surrounded by them.
She climbed into the shelter, almost collapsing to the ground from exhaustion. Kahlan's mind wandered. If she went back to Aydindril, she would no doubt receive a lecture from Zedd. Although she wanted to see the old man, she didn't want to be scolded. Her hand brushed hair from her face as she shook her head. She definitely did not want to return to Aydindril.
Kahlan let her body rest against the soil, her eyes closing as she exhaled deeply. She prayed to the spirits that she wouldn't awake to a vengeful Seeker.
xx
Cara stood at the top of the hill, looking down to see wayward pines littering the landscape. She waited as her fellow Mord'Sith trailed behind, catching up to her. They needed new recruits, especially since Darken Rahl's untimely death. Cara had eagerly jumped to the position of the leader, despite many of the women's objections. According to Cara, no one was more suited for the role of a leader than she.
However, the women were still clinging on to Darken Rahl. Every time Cara would command, they would voice their concerns as to whether or not that is what the Lord Rahl would have wanted. Cara didn't care. Rahl was dead. Following the orders of a dead man was useless.
And now, Cara and her companions were going to snatch young girls from their families and train them into becoming the strongest creatures of D'Hara. Lilith had suggested that they venture outside of D'Hara and grab girls from families that lived in smaller villages. Cara agreed. Lilith was her closest friend, the two spending many nights together. If she trusted anyone within the group, it was Lilith.
Cara scanned through the area. So far, they hadn't come across any villages, and she had a nagging thought that she was being led around in circles. She turned towards the other five women, who had finally reached the top of the hill. Her leather creaked as she turned to face them.
"I see no villages, Morgana." Cara flatly said, her icy gaze meeting each of the Mord'Sith.
"We are well on our way, Cara." The brute woman hissed. Cara had never liked Morgana. As far as she was concerned, the brunette had a false sense of importance. She would brag about how she trained her pets, claiming she had never heard a victim scream as loud and as long as her own.
Obviously, Morgana had never heard Cara train a man.
Cara rolled her eyes as she redirected her attentions towards Lilith. The hazel eyed woman was small, her frame much more petite than any of the Mord'Sith Cara had seen. However, she was definitely one of the more deadly. She was devious and cunning, attributes that Cara favored immensely.
"I do not think Lord Rahl would want us snatching girls from areas other than D'Hara. After all, D'Hara has produced the best Mord'Sith." Cara scoffed as she glared at Elena. The women were starting to grate on Cara's last nerve.
"Lord Rahl is dead." Cara snapped, sick of being put second in command to a dead man. Granted, she had been devoted to him while he was alive, but now that he was dead, her bond with him was broken significantly. These women felt the remnants of the past weighing them down, Cara felt nothing. If anything, she felt more empowered.
Cara turned away from the women, her gaze settling back on the terrain. Wayward pines. Many of them. She furrowed her brow as she opened her mouth, about to proclaim that they should head back and follow Elena's outburst. Cara was D'Haran. Even though the only Mord'Sith were from D'Hara, she doubted any girls of other nations would be able to live up to the expectations.
Before she could speak, she felt the sharp sting of a leather clad fist to the back of her head, knocking her to the ground. She gasped in pain as she looked up at Lilith, who was hovering over her, her hands clenched in the fists she had struck her with.
"You hold no loyalty, Cara." Her words were like a viper's bite, causing Cara to flinch as she grabbed the back of her head. She had never expected Lilith to turn on her. The others, yes. Lilith, no. She moved to stand, but Lilith kicked her in the stomach. "Down, girl." Cara glared up at the small Mord'Sith, victory etching every one of her features. Lilith crouched, grabbing Cara's braid in her hand as she slid a knife out of her belt.
The other four women stood behind them, watching the two. Lilith smiled as she sliced off Cara's hair, leaving a ragged mess behind. She dropped the blonde braid as she stood, tucking her knife back into her belt. She smiled as she walked away, leaving Cara on the ground. She swallowed past the lump in her throat as she watched her betrayer cross into enemy territory.
"Do with her as you wish," Lilith coldly said. Cara clenched her eyes shut, her hand grabbing at her stomach. She heard the stomping of hurried footsteps, the women eager to lay into her.
Cara felt a kick to her stomach, a fist crashing into her shoulder. She heard the yells of the women, accusing her of being a traitor and a disgrace. Cara blocked them out, her mind focusing on the physical pain. It wasn't long before her vision blacked out and she slumped against the ground.
xx
Kahlan had been awoken by the sound of multiple women yelling. She hadn't known what to do, realizing very quickly that they were all followers of Rahl - Mord'Sith. The random bits of conversation she picked up on were of them accusing another of being a traitor, of having no loyalty. She cringed when she heard the onslaught of fists and feet, no doubt beating the supposed traitor. When she heard nothing but silence, Kahlan held her breath as she stepped out of the wayward pine.
She glanced around the area, sure that the battered woman would be somewhere close. The wayward pines blocked her vision, Kahlan having to constantly lift her dress to step over roots. She furrowed her brow as she looked at the previously white cloth. It was now stained with dirt and sweat, obvious signs of her constant running. Her hair was a matted mess, tangled beyond repair. Perhaps she should go to Aydindril, even if it was just to acquire a bath.
Kahlan stepped over many roots and around many trees, sure that the woman had managed to crawl away or had been taken as a trophy. She sighed as she turned around, preparing to head back to her shelter. Kahlan froze when she heard a groan. She slowly turned her head, listening for the sound once again.
Kahlan quickly scurried through the area towards the sound, finding a broken blonde Mord'Sith. Her face was bloodied, some of her bones most likely broken. Kahlan stifled a gasp as she lowered herself to the blonde, wiping hair from her face and attempting to get a better look. It was just before nightfall, Kahlan only having been asleep a few hours.
Luckily, Kahlan hadn't brought any belongings with her when she ran from Denna. She wouldn't have to worry about going back and grabbing her things. Her first priority was the woman in front of her.
Kahlan tucked her arms under the woman's limp limbs, dragging her into a wayward pine. She wasn't sure of what to do, not having the extensive knowledge of the woods as Richard had. If he were there, he'd certainly have a solution for this. He'd know of some plant that was convientantly in the area that could ease some of her pain. Kahlan, however, knew nothing of the sort.
She pushed herself against the inside of the tree, watching as the blonde's chest steadily rose and fell. At least she was still breathing strongly. Kahlan sighed as she brought her legs up to her chest, resting her cheek on her knees.
xx
Cara's eyes fluttered open, unaware of where she was. It was dark, the small fire in the center of the area illuminating very little. She shifted, moaning as she assessed her wounds. She smiled slightly, the Mord'Sith not doing nearly as much damage as she had expected. Cara flinched as she turned to her side, noticing a woman in white in front of her.
The Mother Confessor.
Although Cara had never seen her in person before, she heard much about her from other Mord'Sith. Especially Denna, who had bragged to no ends about breaking the woman's lover. The Mord'Sith had said that soon he would drive his sword into her heart. From what Cara could see, her heart was still beating quite strongly.
Another thought popped into her head. Why had she saved her? Mord'Sith were the enemy, and this woman had definitely seen them before. Cara scoffed, the Mother Confessor didn't save her, only brought her to shelter. Still, it was a kind enough gesture. She stared openly at the woman, who appeared to be weeping.
Weakness. Something Cara despised.
Kahlan sniffed as she wiped her hands on her face, hoping to rid of the tears that welled in her eyes. She looked up towards the woman, surprised to see her awake. She seemed perfectly fine, as though she hadn't been beaten nearly to death.
"You're awake," Kahlan smiled, moving a little closer to the fire. The woman looked much like Denna - blonde hair and blue eyes. Although, that was common in D'Harans.
"Mother Confessor," Cara drawled out, testing her reactions. She had been abandoned by women she trusted, well, more specifically the woman she trusted. Kahlan furrowed her brow and Cara didn't know whether or not to view her as an enemy.
"Mord'Sith," Kahlan responded, raising an eyebrow in the blonde's direction. Cara smirked.
"The Mother Confessor bringing a Mord'Sith to safety," she rolled over onto her back. "It's blasphemy."
"Perhaps," Kahlan sighed, blowing a strand of hair out of her face. "Kahlan."
Cara turned her head towards the woman, her lips pursing as her eyes questioned her. The woman smiled and shook her head, her mass of dark hair tumbling over her shoulders and falling into her face.
"My name," the woman's blue eyes met hers, portraying more emotion and kindness than Cara had ever seen. "It's Kahlan." Cara eyed her. Kahlan was definitely a threat, however, she found herself trusting the raven haired woman. "Yours?" Kahlan's voice brought her out of her thoughts and Cara pursed her lips as she switched back onto her side, her wounds barely hindering her.
"Cara," she drew out.
"Friend or foe?" Kahlan questioned, her voice threatening. She didn't trust the women, especially after Denna. They were all vile creatures, monsters. Cara was called a traitor though, maybe she wasn't necessarily an enemy.
"Depends," Cara smiled.