Richard sat besides Lily, waiting for Amelia and Vivian to return.
"This is a horrid idea," Richard rushed out, darting his eyes around the area. "This will never work."
"Quiet, Richard." Lily patronized, pursing her lips at him. "If you do not believe it can work, then it won't. Do you wish to have this fail?" Her eyebrows shot up in questioning as he shook his head vigorously.
"We are here, Seeker!" Richard heard Vivian's booming voice as the two crashed through the shrub, making more noise than necessary. Richard missed Kahlan's graceful movements, the way she would step around branches and roots to make her approach unheard. He smiled as he remembered teaching her some of those techniques. These women were like giant horses galloping through the woods. "Aydindril is just over the hill."
Amelia stepped beside Vivian, a triumphant smile on her face. "I can't wait to see your handy work with the Mother Confessor."
Richard glanced at Lily, whose face was hard. She told him that as long as they didn't command him to kill Kahlan, that he would be able to disregard their words. Making remarks wouldn't force Richard to do anything. Lily also told him that a simple look could be interpreted as a command. She had said that if he were ever told by the two to kill Kahlan, to look towards her, who would give him a look that commanded him otherwise. He had thanked her profusely, even though he had his doubts.
Richard's back stiffened as he looked around the woods. Something was wrong. Vivian and Amelia looked annoyed.
"Up, Seeker. The time has come for you to slay your beloved." Richard glanced at Lily. That seemed more like a command than a remark. Lily's blue eyes gave him the words he needed. She was very against him killing Kahlan, and his bond was strongest with her. Perhaps that would be all that was needed to keep him from being compelled to kill Kahlan.
"Something's wrong." He stated, standing up and turning, looking deep into the forest. It had been a week since they had left Denna and his wounds seemed to hinder him less and less. Although he was still quite battered, he was able to move.
"Cold feet, Richard?" Vivian taunted, a heartless smile on her lips. Richard hated her the most. Richard redirected his gaze towards her, matching her cold demeanor.
"Something is wrong." He reiterated, Lily looking up at him with concern. She stood and began patrolling the immediate area around them. Amelia scoffed and Vivian scowled.
"Now, you two!" Lily snapped her head in Vivian's direction and glared. "Lily, stop encouraging his behavior. You may be new at this, but this is the time we go and bathe in the blood of our enemies." Vivian smiled and Lily narrowed her eyes.
"I believe that is Richard's job, Vivian." Her tone was harsh and Vivian stiffened, unprepared for Lily's remark. "Her blood is strictly for him, and he will do with it as he wishes." Lily stormed forward, pushing between Vivian and Amelia as they stared at her with their mouths agape.
"You heard her, Seeker." Amelia snapped, making angry gestures with her arms for him to come forward and follow them. "Now!" She barked, her face red with anger. Lily back talking Vivian had clearly struck a chord.
Richard glanced behind him. Something was definitely wrong. The insistent tug of Amelia's hand on his wrist forced him forward, her speedy walk literally dragging him through the woods towards Aydindril.
xx
Denna stood a good distance back, hiding behind a tree. She had been tracking the four since the journey started. She had been quite pleased with Amelia and Vivian's constant belittling of Richard. Lily, however, was far too kind to him. It didn't matter, she would make sure the job got done. Lily was the most dependable of the Mord'Sith.
She stood from her crouched position. Denna had originally followed because she wanted to make sure Richard wasn't able to somehow escape their grasps. Now, she wanted to see the Mother Confessor's dead body with her own eyes.
xx
Kahlan sat in her Confessor's chair, watching as Zedd paced.
"Stop." Kahlan let our a frustrated breath, glancing at Zedd. Cara stood, leaning against a wall. She wasn't nervous about the oncoming battle at all. She twirled the knife that Kahlan had given her in her hand, running the blade along the palms of her leathered hands.
Kahlan was still missing a dagger. She held the one she had in her hand, gingerly running her fingers along it. Zedd had given her another weapon, shoving it at her when she began to protest. They were definitely going to need all the weapons they could get.
Her head pounded. This was a horrible, horrible idea. She wished she could just find a way to escape it. "This is a bad idea, Zedd. We shouldn't listen to Cara. Her sense of logic is warped due to her years of submission under Rahl."
Cara glared at Kahlan and Zedd shook his head. "Dear one, that is exactly why this plan will work. She thinks like a Mord'Sith. The attackers are Mord'Sith. Try to settle your nerves." Kahlan scoffed as she began squirming in her chair. She was restless and uneasy.
"Mother Confessor, you should be more apt to listen to my ideas." Kahlan rolled her eyes and Cara shook her head, obviously irritated at Kahlan's protests.
"There is too much at risk," Kahlan whispered to herself. She began shaking her head and Cara came straight for her, slamming her hands on the sides of Kahlan's chair and looking her in the eye.
"Mother Confessor, this is the only way."
"No, it's-"
Before Kahlan could finish her sentence, a loud sound resonated throughout the room. Cara turned and watched as three Mord'Sith strolled in, content with themselves. Cara could laugh at their oblivious behavior.
"Hello, Mother Confessor. I don't believe we've met." Vivian strolled in, a smile plastered on her face. Kahlan glared at the woman as Cara sauntered over to her.
"Vivian," Cara smiled.
"Cara," the green eyed woman eyed her. "I see you have chosen the losing side to fight for."
Cara smiled and turned, appearing to approach Kahlan. Vivian let out a laugh and Cara spun, back handing the woman with a closed fist. She yelped and looked up at Cara with glassy eyes. Amelia jumped in front of Vivian, her hard eyes locked on Cara.
"That was a mistake, Cara." Cara smirked as she stepped backwards, out stretching her arms in invitation. Amelia scowled and the fight began.
Kahlan's eyes searched the crowd. Amelia and Vivian were both fighting Cara, Zedd standing protectively near Kahlan. The blonde Mord'Sith was standing in the doorway, making no move to fight anyone. Lily. Kahlan moved to stand, but her knees almost gave out when she saw Richard step beside the woman. Lily whispered something in his ear, and Richard looked straight at Kahlan. Her heart stopped.
Richard glanced at the fighting Mord'Sith, not recognizing the opposing blonde that they called Cara. Lily told him to go to Kahlan and to get her out of the area before Vivian and Amelia managed to yell commands at him. When he had looked up at Kahlan, the color drained from her face.
She was scared of him.
The thought made him want to weep. He looked around and began stepping forward, speeding up until he was almost running to get to her. Lily stood to the side, watching everything unfold.
He was almost at Kahlan, her eyes growing even wider in shock as he approached her.
"Richard!" He stopped in his tracks, his eyes growing as he slowly turned around. His heart hammered and he felt like he was going to vomit.
Denna walked up through the chaos, grabbing Lily by the arm and throwing her towards him. Lily stumbled but regained her balance, turning and glaring at Denna as she stood by Richard's side.
Cara was still fighting with Amelia and Vivian - both of whom looked rather wounded. Cara looked unscathed, aside from the fight she had previously.
"What is this, Seeker?" Denna hissed, her eyes darting between Lily and Richard, and then up to reside on Kahlan. "I thought my orders were clear," Richard's heart jumped into his throat.
"Kill the Mother Confessor." Richard started moving but Lily grabbed his arm, glaring at him. Denna's face heated. "Kill the Mother Confessor!" She roared. When Richard didn't move and kept eye contact with Lily, Denna reached out a hand and knocked Lily to her feet. She grabbed Richard by his shirt and yanked him forward, his head almost knocking into hers. "Kill the Mother Confessor," her eyes narrowed. "Now."
Richard glanced towards Lily, who was still trying to regain her wits. He turned and looked at Kahlan with watery eyes.
Kahlan was mortified. She tried to back herself further against the chair, but she couldn't disappear as she wished. Zedd had ran to the other side of the room, casting out various webs that could help Cara. She didn't need the help though. Kahlan gripped the knife of her dagger as Richard approached her, sadness and determination in his eyes.
"Richard, don't!" Lily yelled, coughing as Denna kicked her. "Do not kill the Mother Confessor!" Lily kicked out a foot, causing Denna to fall to the floor.
Richard blinked, his determination gone. He needed to get Kahlan out of there. He began walking forward with new purpose and a faster speed.
Kahlan stared as she watched the fights in front of her and the one coming straight forward. She wanted to cry and curl up into a ball. Richard came rushing towards her and her fear over took her. She flicked the dagger into the palm of her hand.
Richard rushed up to her, elated. Before he could tell her of what was happening, he felt cold steel pierce through his skin and straight into his heart. His vision went black as he stared at Kahlan with horror. Tears streaked down her face.