Silk and Sand – Chapter 9

The clothes Necor had left for them were just simple tunics, but Kahlan liked them more than she had the scantily nightgowns that she and the other women had been forced to scamper around in for the past couple of days. Richard had helped her dressed, wrapping his arms around her waist when he had finished and pulled her in for a sweet kiss. Kahlan smiled against his lips, then backed away, biting her lower lip, still tasting him. She knocked gently on the door and it opened, revealing Necor. Richard eyed up the fair-haired guard, as if judging the man's honor.

"This way," Necor said with a wave of his hand, returning Richard's stare. Kahlan shuffled out, letting go of Richard's hand, knowing that they had to look like strangers if anyone should see them. She noticed Richard took a deep breath through his nose before stepping out and following her.

Necor directed them through the sorting room and towards the door that led to the spiral stairs. Once in the dim hall, Kahlan relaxed a bit and eased closer to Richard as Necor led the way down the steps.

"So, Kaya, how long have you two known each other?" Necor broke the silence.

Richard made a face and looked over at her, confused. Kahlan raised her eyebrows. She had forgotten to tell Richard that she had told Necor about them. "Little over half a year," Kahlan responded.

Necor nodded, continuing down the stone steps. "And not once, during all that time, you two never…" his voice trailed off as they walked past one of the openings, where a guard was standing, waiting for them to past. The man leered at Kahlan, and then continued up the stairs after they had past. Kahlan shivered, and Richard slowly placed a hand on her shoulder, walking behind her, as it was impossible to walk side-by-side down these spiral steps. She exhaled softly, thankful for his touch.

"No, never," Kahlan said. "We… we were waiting for the right time," she added, looking over her shoulder at Richard.

"Were you two going to get married?" Necor asked, cocking his head slightly as he took a turn.

Kahlan opened her mouth, intending to tell the truth, that they could not marry, but before she could say anything, Richard spoke up. "Yes," he said in a firm and confident voice.

Necor stopped and turned around. "I… I'm sorry that your first time was forced on you two," he said. "I deeply wish that things could be different."

Richard placed a hand on Kahlan's shoulder and squeezed past her to stand in front of Necor. "They can," he said. "I recognize you… you're the head guard."

"Yes, the name's Necor."

"I'm Richard," the Seeker spoke up, extending his hand, shocking Kahlan.

While they had been changing into the tunics Necor had provided, she had talked to him about the importance of their anonymity, and that the names—Rook and Kaya—that they had been using were good covers for who they really were.

The fair-haired guard accepted Richard's hand, and they shook. "What did you mean by they can?" Necor inquired.

Richard glanced back at Kahlan before returning his attention to Necor. "Look, she trusts you, so… so I'll trust you," he said. "I'm the Seeker of Truth, and she—"

Kahlan placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze, stopping him before he could say what she thought he was going to say. Necor looked between them, narrowing his cerulean eyes.

"The Seeker of Truth?" he questioned in an awed voice. "You mean… the myths and legends, they… they are true?"

Kahlan nodded. "Yes, Richard is on a quest to free the Midlands from the tyrannical rule of Darken Rahl."

Necor pursed his lips together, staring at Kahlan. "Kaya…," he began softly. "You… are… are you a confessor?"

Her mouth dropped and she simply gaped at Necor, unsure how to respond. She inched closer to Richard, suddenly afraid that the friendly guard's attitude would change once he learned what she really was. "Why… why do you ask?" Kahlan stammered.

The guard glanced between the two of them, and sighed. "It's just that the legends I've heard about the Seeker of Truth always speak that he is always accompanied by a confessor, and that these confessors are women of great magic who can destroy men's souls with just a touch."

Richard's eyes locked with hers as she looked up at her Seeker. They shared a brief conversation with just their eyes before she turned back to Necor, ready to answer the man's question.

"Yes," she said, nodding. "I am a confessor." Necor backed up a bit, looking worried. "You... you don't have to worry. I won't harm you. Even if I did, I could not. Not in this place."

Necor knitted his eyebrows together. "Why not?"

Kahlan took a deep breath, still a bit unsure about divulging this information, but Necor had proven to be an honorable and good friend in this terrible place, so she decided he deserved the truth, especially since he was the one person who could help them escape.

"There is a reason the Midlands Council has no authority here in the Angress Valley," Kahlan said. "There is a natural negative field the permeates the entire region that nulls all forms of magic, from wizards to confessors."

"Kah—Kaya has been completely defenseless in this place without her powers," Richard spoke up. "Another reason I have to thank you. Without you looking after her, spirits knows what might have become of her."

Necor gave a nod. "I would do it for any of the women, especially the new ones, who were not born into this trade," he said with a nod.

"Look, Necor," Richard continued. "Back in the Midlands, confessors are revered for being the upholders of peace and order."

"And the Seeker is the weapon of truth and justice," Kahlan added, wanting to support Richard. Necor turned to her. "Necor, I know this might be a lot to ask… but… but when the morning comes, will you help us escape."

He lowered his brow and chewed on his lip in thought. "Why not now, when the entire household is busy?"

Kahlan sucked in a quick breath, not sure she wanted to tell Necor the real reason why she wanted to stay the evening. She looked up at Richard, asking him to help her with a logical explanation that had nothing to do with them wanting to have sex while they were protected by the negative field from her powers.

"With the debauchery that is going on tonight," Richard spoke up, not hesitating once he noticed Kahlan's need for him to explain. "Every will most likely be in a stupor in the morning. They will be dull and slow moving. Giving us the perfect opportunity to slip out."

Necor nodded, seeming to agree with their reasoning.

"So…," Kahlan spoke up tentatively. "Will… will you help us?"

The fair-haired guard looked at her with his cerulean eyes. They looked sad and unsure. "What… what about Paullina and the others?"

Richard glanced back at Kahlan, confused. She understood what Necor was talking about. He was asking them if they would help free the rest of the slaves. Kahlan did not know if that was even possible. To be honest, she had never really thought about it that much, besides the fact that she was disgusted with people owning other people. Sure, there was indenture servitude in the Midlands, but not slavery. At least, not in any of the places she had visited as a confessor. Then again, she figured, some people might consider what the confessors do as akin to slavery, since they take people against their will and force them to serve. Kahlan swallowed, feeling like she was a hypocrite for feeling disgusted with slavery when she herself had enslaved men with just a touch and release of her powers.

She was about to answer Necor, and apologize that it was not possible, when Richard spoke. "When I was brought here I had a sword with me."

"Yes, I remember it," Necor nodded. "The Master took a liking to it and had me place it in his private collection."

"Can you get it for me?" Richard asked.

Necor furrowed his brow. "I… I suppose."

Richard smiled. "Then in the morning, come to us with the sword, and…," he glanced at Kahlan. "Two daggers for Kaya."

"And you will help me free the others?" Necor inquired.

The grin on the Seeker's face grew wider. "Yes," he replied in a voice filled with firm conviction. "In the morning, there is going to be a revolt."

XXX

Kahlan was still in shock at Richard's bold declaration. She was a little confused over what exactly he was planning. Yet he always seemed to be thinking a mile a minute compared to everyone else, so she trusted that whatever he was scheming up in his head would be to the benefit of all those being oppressed. Necor escorted them the rest of the way in silence, and unlocked the door to the floor Kahlan had been staying. He pushed it open and told them they could go the rest of the way, that all the doors to the quarters were unlocked. Kahlan thanked him again, and he promised to return in the morning with Richard's sword. The two shook hands and then Richard followed her into the hall.

It was quiet, and Kahlan's heart went out to the poor women who were probably being raped this very moment by Betto's clients as part of Aulus Vintell's party. She gripped Richard's hand, needing to feel his presence, and led him down the dimly lit hallway to the door at the end of the hall that led to her room. She tried to shake her mind of the terrible fate that was befalling all the others who had shared this floor with her, because she wanted to enjoy what little time she had with Richard before tomorrow came and his revolt started.

They reached the door and Kahlan noticed it was ajar. She knitted her eyebrows together and furrowed her brow, but thought nothing of it, because the doors had ceased to be locked after their first day. Looking over her shoulder at Richard, she gave him that special smile she had started giving him and only him, then gripped the latch and pushed the door open, pulling him behind her, a lazy grin plastered on his face.

"Ah!" a high pitch voice yelped and Kahlan blinked shocked to see someone sitting on her bed.

She squinted in the light and recognized the blonde hair and green eyes of Cameron. So, it appeared that she had been saved from being selected by a client, thanks in part to Kahlan requesting her as an attendant. The girl's eyes were big and she gazed at Richard with terror. She was still dressed in the scantily nightgown that they had all be dressed in earlier in the evening, and attempted to cover herself. Richard stiffened and turned his back, quickly ducking out the room. Kahlan huffed, frustrated about an interruption in what she had planned for the evening, but bit her tongue, knowing it wasn't the girl's fault.

"Oh, Kaya," Cameron whimpered, her eyes flirting back to Kahlan. "They're making you please a client as well?"

"No," Kahlan said, fiddling with her hands.

"You mean… that's… that's Rook!" Cameron's eyes went wide.

Kahlan nodded. "Betto's given me to him for the evening."

Cameron immediately jumped up and wrapped her arms around Kahlan. "Oh spirits, Kaya, I'm so sorry," she mumbled. "If… if you want, I can take him… you've already suffered enough. And… and maybe if Rook spoils me, the Master will see me as damage goods and make me a maidservant instead."

Kahlan highly doubted Betto would let a beautiful girl like Cameron become anything less than one of his whores, though she had no reason to tell her that, so she kept quiet. "No, that's alright," she replied with a wiry smile. "I think I can handle Rook."

"What?" choked out Cameron, backing up to look at Kahlan. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Kahlan's expression. "What… what's happened to you? You're different."

"Besides the fact that I'm no longer a virgin, nothing else has changed," Kahlan asserted.

"No… you are different," Cameron squeaked out, backing away even more. "You… you've been broken. They've bent you to their will!"

"Cameron, no, I have not," Kahlan grabbed the woman's arms and held her tight. "Look into my eyes, you'll see the same woman you saw in that preparation room."

Cameron obliged her and gazed into her brilliant blue eyes. The woman's eyebrows twitched, knitting together and apart. Then her mouth slowly dropped. "Kaya? I… I don't understand," she said, relaxing her muscles.

"Do you remember when you said that perhaps the Creator would look after me and protect me during the performance?" Kahlan questioned.

Cameron gave a weak nod, hugging herself.

"Well, She did," Kahlan said, smiling. "Instead of a bloodthirsty arena brute, I… I… got my Richard."

"Richard?" Cameron choked out. "The… the man you were with when you were captured?"

Kahlan nodded, remembering that she had told Cameron about Richard when they had been bunking together on their second night in the House of Betto. "Yes," Kahlan said smiling. She turned around and glided over to the door, and beckoned Richard back inside. He ducked his head in, his brow furrowed, looking worried. She gestured with her hand and he stepped into the room. Kahlan immediately grabbed his arm and pulled him over. Richard allowed her to direct him. "Cameron, this is Richard… Richard, this is Cameron."

"Hello," Richard spoke softly, looking between Kahlan and Cameron.

The girl rubbed her arms and glanced up at him. "From… from what Kaya told me, you're one of the most kind hearted and honest men she has ever met," Cameron squeak out. "And… and if Kaya trusts you, and… well, obviously loves you," she added noticing how Kahlan had intertwined her arm with Richard's and had begun to lean against him. "Well… well then I'll trust you." She stopped, her eyes going wide. "Spirits, you two probably want some alone time. Encountering one another in front of those terrible people probably wasn't the best way to reunite."

Richard gave a nod. "It wasn't the best circumstance, yes," he looked down at Kahlan and wrapped his arm around her waist giving her loving squeeze. "But it finally pushed our relationship into the direction we both wanted it to be."

The sound of his voice and the feel of his arm around her waist made Kahlan beam with delight at how their relationship had transcended the smoldering stares and fleeting glances, and was now a touching, kissing… and squeezing kind of relationship. Oh, how she could not wait until they could make it official, that they were a couple! And that Richard was willingly becoming her mate. To the spirits with what Zedd said, they were going to do it, even if Kahlan had to buy a Rada'Han for their more intimate moments.

"Oh," Cameron blinked. "Yes… that's right. You two hadn't…," she looked away and blushed, leaving the rest unsaid. "I… you… um… you two probably want the room." She dashed by them, not giving either a chance to respond.

Richard shifted and arched his neck over his shoulder. "Cameron!" he called after her, causing her to stop at the doorway. The blonde haired girl spun on her feet, looking up at him with big green eyes. "Tomorrow, stay in your room… and… and don't open the door unless it is me or Kah—Kaya."

Cameron bit her lower lip and knitted her eyebrows together, but managed a quick nod, before darting through the doorway and disappearing. "She was lucky today," Kahlan said, letting out a breath as she stepped across the stone floor to close the door. "I was chosen to be with you, and Necor let me bring Cameron along to help me prepare… so when Vintell and the other guests made their selections, Cameron was not there to be chosen."

Sighing, Richard turned around and examined the room. He raised an eyebrow. "This is pretty opulent stuff," he said, running his fingers over the rosewood vanity and dresser. Turning, he looked back at her, his fingers playing across the small trinkets on the vanity. "You sure you want to leave?" he smirked.

Kahlan gave him a mock glare. "Oh, you think this is luxurious, just wait until you see the Confessor's Palace," she locked her eyes with him and she began to untie the string around her waist. "And," she added, in a low seductive voice, "my bedchambers."

Richard's eyebrows rose as he watched her saunter towards him. As she saw his reaction, his eyes darkening with desire and need, Kahlan could not help but blush. In a lot of ways, this sort of behavior was very new to her. However, she liked how it made her feel. She wanted to feel that connection with Richard, but this time, in private, without the crowd, and without the masks. And she wanted to be able to kiss him as her took her and made her his all over again. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she giggled softly, not knowing what she was so nervous. Richard had seen her naked, bathed with her, and spirits, done much more.

Slowly, gripping the edge of the tunic, she squirmed out of it and dropped it to the floor, loving the reaction she got from Richard as she did so.

*I know, I'm so terrible for breaking it there... but I promise you. I'll make it up in the next chapter. =)