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Reunion (Chapter 2)

Having finished off the frozen minion of the Keeper, Richard turned at Kahlan's scream to find a second one attacking her. "Kahlan!" Richard screamed, racing towards her.

Kahlan suddenly found herself drenched in water just moments before Zedd released another blast. She stared up into the revolting frozen face that just a heartbeat ago had been about to slice her to shreds. Richard appeared at her side, kicking the creature off of her. The skreeling shattered into a thousand pieces as it crashed to the ground.

Richard, holding his hand out, helped the drenched Confessor up. Pulling her to him in a tight embrace, Kahlan began to tremble, partly from being cold and wet and partly from the realization of what almost happened finally washing over her.

"Shhh, it's alright. It's gone now," Richard soothed in her ear, rubbing her back in an attempt to warm and calm her.

Relief washed over him now that Kahlan was safe again. It has been a horrific site to observe, seeing the woman he loved pinned beneath a skreeling that was a breath away from taking her from him. He wasn't sure who was trembling more - him or her.

Releasing her from his arms, he pulled back to place his hands on either side of her face, his thumb wiping away the blood that had trickled down her cheek from the mark the skreeling had left behind.

"Are you alright?" he softly asked, concern etched in his face.

"Yes, I think so," Kahlan replied with chattering teeth, her face appearing even paler with her dark wet hair clinging to her skin.

"Here, let me warm you up, my dear," Zedd interjected, raising his hands as he released a warm glow that enveloped the Mother Confessor. Within a couple of moments, Kahlan stood dry and warm, the rosy color returning to her face. Raising a hand to her cheek, Zedd erased the skreeling's mark.

Cara approached, empty bucket in hand and a grin on her face. "Thank you Cara for saving me," Kahlan gratefully told the Mord'Sith.

"It was my pleasure," Cara smirked as she set the bucket down.

"I'm sure it was," Kahlan couldn't help but chuckle as she rolled her eyes.

"We had better make sure there are no more skreelings scampering about Winslow before it gets dark and we settle in for the evening," Zedd suggested, scanning the creatures' handiwork as the town's people gradually made their way back into the marketplace.

XXX

Making his way through the empty narrow streets of Winslow, Phillip kept a constant eye out for the object of his search. He had been searching the Midlands for almost two weeks now, following her trail across the territory, moving from town to town asking questions and learning quite a bit about his daughter.

He had learned months ago that she had been named the Mother Confessor and possessed great powers, the most powerful Confessor in years. He held a glimmer of pride when he had heard that, but it quickly dissolved within the swirling bitterness and resentment that he held within his heart towards Kahlan, Dennee, and their mother.

Darkness crept into his eyes at the thought of Kahlan's mother. She had taken him as her mate against his will. When she had died and he received his soul back, Phillip turned bitter with hatred at having his life and his choices taken from him, eventually taking it all out upon his two daughters.

Then his little profit makers had been taken from him by the Sisters of the Light and the bitterness grew deeper, grew stronger especially towards Kahlan. She resembled her mother so much in her looks and in her character. She was so loving, compassionate, and kind just like her mother. And even though he could see some of himself in her, it did little to quell the animosity.

Leaving a narrow side street, Phillip strolled into a large market area. There appeared to have been a battle that had taken place here. Even with the sun sitting low in the western sky, he could see the chaos that still lay scattered in the streets, blood staining the ground in places. Some attempts to clean up had obviously been made as broken market carts had been pushed to the side, some people with brooms cleaning up what they could.

Stopping by one gentleman, Phillip politely asked, "What happened here?"

"Skreelings from the Underworld. Killed four people. Would have killed more if it hadn't been for the Seeker and his friends. A skreeling almost killed the Mother Confessor, but they were able to kill it first," the man replied as he leaned on his broom to talk to the stranger.

"The Seeker and Mother Confessor…are they still here?" Phillip eagerly inquired, hoping his search had finally come to an end.

He knew that Grayson had sent some of his men to follow him, to make sure that he came through with his end of the deal. The sooner he found Kahlan and got back to Grayson, the sooner he'd be out of this mess he'd gotten himself into and hopefully much richer.

"Yes, they're over at the tavern right now eating dinner. They're staying there tonight as guests of the tavern keeper for saving Winslow from the skreelings."

"May I ask where I can find the tavern?"

"Just head straight down that way. It'll lead you out of the marketplace and toward the main street of town. You'll find the tavern on the right side of the street."

"Thank you," Phillip mumbled politely as he made his way in the direction he was given. If things went according to plan, this could all be over in as little as a week or more.

XXX

Sitting at the table, Zedd was thoroughly enjoying a warm meal that did not include roots, berries, or rabbit. Living in the woods, the menu could be quite limiting at times. He was going to make sure that he fully and completely enjoyed every bit of this free meal.

Richard rolled his eyes at Kahlan and Cara at the site of Zedd hoarding the food and eating it as fast as he could get it into his mouth. Luckily, there was still plenty to go around for the rest of them. Richard and Kahlan chuckled to themselves while Cara huffed in disgust at the site.

The tavern keeper had been kind enough to invite them to his tavern for dinner and to stay the night in gratitude for saving Winslow. They were more than happy to accept a night in a real bed, with a real pillow and sheets, and a roof over their heads.

A stranger strode through the door unnoticed as the crowded tavern was consumed in the depths of inebriation and celebration for the Seeker and his companions. The man slowly began to scan the occupants of the tavern, searching for the one that had consumed his life for the last two weeks.

Spotting raven hair similar to his own, he cautiously stepped a bit closer, not wanting to reveal his presence too soon. Moving to get a better view, Phillip came to a sudden halt at the site of his daughter sitting a table with two men and a woman clad in red leather. The site of her made his heart unwillingly skip a beat. He had no idea that seeing her after all these years would have such an effect on him.

Kahlan was beautiful to behold. Her dark hair falling around her porcelain face, eyes like sapphires that danced in the candle light, a smile that made her whole face light up. It was as if her mother had come back to life. He could hear her laughter as it lightly floated through the air. For a brief moment, time seemed to come to a screeching halt, only to propel him back in time to that day when he had first met Kahlan's mother.

Her mother had been the most beautiful woman he had ever seen; like an angel come to earth. He had fallen madly in love with her, but she failed to warn him what she was, what she could do with her powers. It wasn't until her untimely death that he discovered the truth.

Why had she lied to him? She had taken his choices, his life, and his free will from him causing him to live like a love sick slave for six years. The memories that flooded his mind only served to fan the flames of anger and resentment that he had held in his heart all these years.

Resolve and bitterness set in his eyes, causing the indigo hue to burn darker. He clenched his jaw as he clenched and unclenched his fists in a conscious battle to control his breathing as the rage in his heart threatened to consume him.

Kahlan tilted her head back as she released a laugh at Zedd who was telling embarrassing stories about Richard's childhood. She thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Richard's antics as a little boy, the trouble he would get himself into.

Richard, pretending to be embarrassed by Zedd's stories, loved the laughter and joy it brought to Kahlan. Any embarrassment that these retellings brought was minuscule compared to the beautiful glow of happiness it brought to Kahlan's face. Her laughter and her smile thrilled his soul.

Gazing at her now, he thought she had never looked more beautiful. He loved the way her new leather outfit hugged her every curve in a way her Confessor's dress never could. She was angelic and beautiful in her pristine Confessor's dress, but there was something intoxicating and dangerous about the dark leather outfit she now chose. Though Richard never thought it possible, it only made her more gorgeous than she already was.

Richard was pulled out of his thoughts as he noticed Kahlan staring in front of her, her face growing paler by the moment. Her eyes were wide in shock, horror evident in her eyes. A trembling hand flew to her mouth just in time to stifle the cry that escaped her lips.

"Kahlan, what is it?" Richard asked as he leaned towards her, turning around to look in the direction she was staring at.

"Father?" Kahlan softly gasped, unable to believe her eyes.

Richard saw a tall man with dark blue eyes and hair the color of Kahlan's except for the graying streaks. He immediately recognized Kahlan in the man that stood staring at his daughter. Richard swiftly stood to his feet, his eyes narrowing at the site of the man who had years ago caused his love so much pain and abuse. He was not about to let him near her now.

Kahlan quickly stood, placing a trembling hand on Richard's arm. Turning to her, Richard saw so many emotions flash over his Confessor's face. Confusion. Shock. Terror. They all fought for dominance in her soul.

Kahlan felt as if her heart were racing out of control, as if the oxygen had just been sucked out of the air. She could hardly catch her breath as the man that once brought her so much grief and sorrow slowly made his way towards her. Memories began flooding back, flashing and disappearing faster than her mind could process.

Cara and Zedd quickly rose to their feet, sensing the threat this man brought to their friend. Everyone stood staring at the man who now stood at their table, unsure of what to expect but ready to stop him from harming Kahlan.

The feel of Kahlan's hand on his arm caused Richard to calm down but only mildly. His breathing was ragged with the anger he felt towards this man. He would love nothing more than for Kahlan's father to try something so he could beat him within an inch of his life. Keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword, Richard was almost praying for him to attempt something.

"Hello, Kahlan," Phillip softly said, surveying the people that now stood glaring at him. He readily decided that this may not go as well as he had hoped…