Umana

Richard had been studying and reading every chance he got. The book was full of riddles and poems that he didn't quite understand. He knew it would take a lot of time and patience to figure out the ways of Wizards. Even Zedd was vexed at some of the wording. They were still on their way back to Aydindril, taking their time on the way back home. Richard needed to keep his focus on the book and see what the prophecies foretold. It was difficult to keep his mind in focus when all he could think of was Shota.

His anger for her still burned hot in him, but he knew the truth of Zedd's words. He would be useless against her if he went and tried to get his revenge now. She'd be prepared for that, prepared for him.

Zedd, though angry at Shota's lack of social etiquette, had silently known Shota's reasoning and understood it. It would take Kahlan and Richard years, if ever, to understand why Shota had to do what she did. No male confessor should ever live. Richard had seen what would happen when he went to the future and saw that Darken Rahl had forced Kahlan into marriage and they had conceived a male confessor who in turn became a tyrant. Any male confessor, no matter who his parent's are, will turn evil. It was in their nature. He knew Shota had actually done them a favour by killing the child before it was born. He knew just how much more difficult it would have been for them to kill their child when born…or how hard it would have been on them had Shota done it after the birth. He was glad she had done it before.

He knew Richard and Kahlan wanted their revenge. He was able to distract Richard long enough right now with the book of Umana. He knew he had to keep Richard focused on something else and when that day came when Richard decided to go after Shota, Zedd would have to stop him. It would be the hardest thing Zedd would ever have to do but he knew he had to. For their sake.

They had stopped off in the town of Mayfield and Kahlan and Cara were shopping in town. Richard and Zedd decided they would check out the town's library to see if there was any other information they could possibly get regarding the Keep. Zedd doubted they'd find anything, but they knew they should still try.

Richard was like a sponge, soaking in all the information. He smiled like a school boy when he was able to decode the spells that held him back in the Keep. He wanted so badly to get to Aydindril so he could go and explore. There were so many things he wanted to know and see within the Keep. So many prophecies to read and decode. Before he took the thrown as Lord Rahl, he wanted to be well-versed in the histories and knowledge of the lands. He wanted to be well-prepared for whatever would or could happen.

Kahlan and Cara made their way through the streets of Mayfield, stopping at the local vendors. Cara was becoming impatient as Kahlan talked to the people, interacting with them. Cara didn't have time for the mindless chatter but Kahlan needed it. She thrived on people and loved the communication aspect of her job. Cara preferred not to socialize with the locals and simply enjoyed threatening them with glares.

Kahlan rolled her eyes at Cara's insistent huffing, "honestly Cara, if you're that bored, just go back to the library with Zedd and Richard. I'll be fine."

Cara shot Kahlan a look, "I promised Lord Rahl I'd watch over you." Kahlan wrapped the cloak tighter around her head.

"Cara, really…do I look like I need protection? Go. I'll be fine," Kahlan shooed her and began walking over to a flower stand. Cara slumped her back against one of the wooden pikes that held up the building behind her as Kahlan sniffed at the flowers.

"I'm not leaving you. I'd rather not suffer the wrath of Lord Rahl, thank you very much," Cara fumed. Kahlan smiled and handed the merchant a coin as she picked up an oriental lilly. She handed it to Cara; Cara took it numbly and gave Kahlan a look, "what do I do with this?" she questioned.

Kahlan smiled at Cara's indifference, "just thought I'd add some brightness to your outfit," she walked away from her. Cara stomped over to Kahlan and handed her the flower.

"Mord'Sith don't carry flowers," she handed the lily back to Kahlan. Kahlan frowned and took it back. She rolled the stem in her fingers as she looked at Cara.

"You need a man, Cara," Kahlan finally said. Cara frowned at her.

"I don't need any man. I'm a woman. I'm stronger then any man," she crossed her arms over her chest. "Besides, men are only good for one thing," Cara grinned. Kahlan rolled her eyes at the woman again, understanding her meaning.

"Cara, you're impossible," Kahlan started making her way through the maze of people again. Cara's smile widened at seeing Kahlan's disposition. They enjoyed bantering with each other. Richard and Zedd often just kept their mouths shut when the two women argued. It was usually one or the other that would win. Kahlan was often wittier, but Cara knew when to push the right buttons. They both grew even closer as they continued their journey back to Aydindril.

It had been a month since their child was taken from them. Kahlan was grateful to Cara for bantering with her to take her mind off of things. It was also nice being able to go into town and talk with the people and shop around, focusing on things other than her lost child.

It was getting darker and the merchants were closing up their shops. Cara and Kahlan decided it would be best if they headed back to the library to get Zedd and Richard. They'd be able to stay at a nearby inn and hopefully get a good night's rest.

When they arrived at the library, Zedd and Richard were already standing outside, ready to head out. Richard looked exhausted when Kahlan took his hand, worry on her face. He gave her hand a squeeze in response, "it's just tiring," he said to her. She nodded in understanding. Being cooped up inside all day sitting and reading was sure to make one drowsy.

"What did you discover?" she asked. He ran a hand through his hair as they walked towards the inn.

"That I really need to get to Aydindril sooner than later to see if I'm correct with what I'm thinking. Zedd and I have managed to decode some of the riddles and I'm hoping I can at least get past the first few spells and reach the main corridor," he held up the book, "this book gives us a detailed map of the Keep so I won't be lost once inside. I can at least break past to the main corridors and hopefully be able to get more information once there. Right now, the rest of this just seems jibberish. I'll need to be there to grasp what it's saying." Kahlan nodded in understanding. It made sense. Richard could read all he wanted to but in order for him to fully grasp the book, he needed to be there to experience what it was telling him.

They reached the inn within minutes and headed up the stairs. Zedd pulled open the doors and they were met with the scent of sweat, booze and cooking meat. Men gathered throughout the tavern and smashed their drinks together, happy to be having a pint after a long days work. Kahlan was used to this. They were all getting used to this.

Her blue eyes caught a group of men in the far right corner. None of the other patrons seemed to be bothered by their entrance. But these men. Kahlan shuddered as they stared at her. None seemed to be looking at her face. She suddenly felt the need to hide behind Richard. He looked at her oddly as she stepped closer to him, wrapping her arm around his as they walked down to grab a table. She sat beside Richard and dared glancing towards the men's direction again. They were still looking at her. She looked down and tried to focus on something else. Richard put a hand to her knee and she was glad for the comfort. He took a glance around the room and noticed the men staring at her. He gave them a glare. They sneered and finally turned their gazes away.

They ordered their meals and ate up quickly. None of them were particularly interested in staying in the tavern longer than they had to. Cara again wanted to stay down for a little while longer for another pint. As Richard stood by the doorframe waiting for her, Kahlan grasped Cara's arm.

"Cara," she waited until Cara looked at her, "please don't stay down here. I don't trust these men," Kahlan whispered to her. Cara lifted one eyebrow.

"You think a man is any match for a Mord'Sith? Not even the Seeker could stand against one," she pointed in Richard's direction. Kahlan's face faltered. She swallowed past the anger, thinking of reason.

"Cara, I don't doubt your abilities. I doubt the numbers these men have on you. Please, come up to bed. Don't stay down here," Cara's lip twitched up into a sneer.

Cara turned to grab her pint and took another swig of it, "Mother Confessor," she started, "I only take orders from the Lord Rahl. And even then…only if it's necessary. You yourself said I needed a man," she licked her lips looking towards the direction of some of the men; "I think tonight you might be right." She pushed Kahlan aside as she went and sat next to a young strapping man. Kahlan bit her lip and looked over to the men in the corner again who were watching her yet again. She shuddered and headed in Richard's direction. He held his hand to hers and she took it gratefully.

"She's going to get herself killed or get a disease. I don't know which one's worse," Kahlan fumed as they entered their room. Richard shut and locked the door behind them and sighed.

"Kahlan I agree with you. But there's no point in arguing with her. She can take care of herself," he stated, taking off his boots. Kahlan regarded him for a long moment.

"I'm surprised you're not as worried as I am," she stated, crossing her arms. Richard ran a hand through his hair as he looked up at her.

"Cara has proven herself time and time again. I don't fear her safety with a bunch of drunken men. She's willing to put herself in that mess, regardless of how dangerous it is. Cara also just isn't any woman, Kahlan. She's Mord'Sith. Mord'Sith have powers over men that I can't understand." Kahlan frowned at him, not liking what he said, "you should be more fearful for the men than her, Kahlan." He muttered to himself. Kahlan didn't like talking about this anymore. She hated thinking of when he was captured by Mord'Sith. She knew full well that they used their sexuality to play men along with their torture techniques. She grimaced at the thought. She pushed her concerns aside as she realized she was the only one who was apparently worried. She headed to bed with Richard and tried thinking of something else.

It must have been close to midnight when she awoke. Richard was fast asleep beside her lying on his back with one arm to the side of him and the other laid on his stomach. She could still hear men downstairs loud and boystrous, clinking their mugs together. She wiped at her eyes, trying to wake herself up a bit and sat up, careful not to wake Richard. He was breathing pretty heavily and she realized he must be in a deep sleep. Gently she took the blanket covers off her legs and placed her feet on the wooden floor. Grabbing her traveling dress, she slid her arms into it and tugged her boots on. She needed to see if Cara was ok. It had been bothering her all night and she knew she would deeply regret it if something had happened to her.

With ease, she pushed the door open. It creaked only slightly as she shut it behind her, careful not to make it too loud. As she made her way down the hall, she could hear the men getting louder. She went to Cara's room first and knocked, "Cara?" she whispered. There was no answer. She knocked again. Still nothing. Not thinking, she pushed at the door to make sure. The room was empty. Kahlan's heart started to thump and she made her way back down the creaky hallway. The firelight illuminated the tavern. Most of the men had left but there were still quite a few of them there. Prostitutes sat on their laps, hiking their skirts up and showing off their goods. Kahlan squinted in the light but couldn't see Cara. She frowned, getting worried. She contemplated going back to get Richard but second guessed herself. He would just be angry that she was out looking. He would tell her that Cara was probably out doing Spirits knows what with a man and that it was her business to do so. Kahlan shook her head in frustration.

She was keenly aware of the stares she received as she made her way down the steps into the tavern. A very drunk man bumped into her and gave her a lustful grin, "hey ther pretty lady," he slurred. Kahlan gave him a disgusted look and pushed him away from her. She made her way quickly out of the tavern and out the door into the darkness of the night.

"Cara?" she whispered, her eyes trying to adjust. She stepped down off the porch of the inn and onto the dirt road. She turned on her right heel and was about to call her name again when she saw the men that had been leering at her before. They grinned at her in the moonlight. She began walking backwards, away from their gaze, "stay back," she held out her hand, "I'm warning you." They looked at each other and grinned some more.

"Or what? You'll confess us?" the smaller of the men scoffed. His teeth were rotting and his head was bald. He wore numerous weapons and Kahlan was distinctly aware that this wasn't just an ordinary man. She gasped when she felt strong hands grab her from behind. She summoned her powers and was seconds away from releasing it when she felt the cool steel around her neck click together, "no…" she whispered at realizing it was a Rada'Han. Instinctively, she reached for her daggers at her boots. The men grabbed her arms and pulled her back. One of the men grabbed at her daggers and put them with his pack of weaponry.

"Now, now, Mother Confessor," the youngest man said. He was handsome in demeanor, but his black eyes held the distinct look of wisdom and evil. Kahlan sucked in a breath, "stop your squirming. Can't have you over-exerting yourself now can we?" he smiled lusciously at her, "Knock her out. We have a journey ahead of us and I don't want her to be pestering me," he ordered. Kahlan managed to scream before everything went black.

He heard her scream. He woke up suddenly in a cold sweat and instinctively reached for his sword. He turned his gaze in Kahlan's direction. She was gone. Panic set in as he stood off the bed. His heart was racing as he pulled his boots on and ran out the door. He ran to Zedd's room and woke him up.

"You're getting into a nasty habit, boy," Zedd groaned, wiping the sleep from his eyes when he opened the door.

"Kahlan, she's gone. She's not with you?" he asked, already knowing the answer. Zedd frowned and grabbed his robe. He threw it on and headed out the door with Richard. Richard pounded on Cara's door. No answer. He let himself in to find the room completely empty. Zedd and Richard continued down the hall. Richard let out a breath when he saw Cara making her way up the stairs from the tavern, "Cara!" he gripped her shoulders at seeing her, "have you seen Kahlan?" he asked. Cara shook her head, no.

"Maybe she went to go relieve herself?" Zedd asked. Richard frowned, not believing him.

"We have a chamber pot," he stated. Zedd scratched at his chin. Richard took off down in the tavern. He went to a group of men that had been there earlier in the night, "have you seen the woman I was with earlier? Tall, pretty, dark hair?" he questioned. Drunkenly, they nodded and pointed in the direction of the door. Richard rushed out as soon as possible. His sword rang in the night air as he drew it. He looked up and down the streets but saw nobody. Zedd and Cara followed behind him, also ready to attack. Richard was panting as his heart pounded faster. His brown, worried eyes looked to the ground for any tracks. He kneeled down and put his hand to the dirt; his breath caught in his throat. In the dirt, he could see Kahlan's boot print. He could see as well that someone had obviously been dragged to a carriage it looked like. The tracks looked to be from Kahlan's boots. He steeled himself and sat up again.

"What is it?" Zedd asked, concerned at seeing Richard's face go pale.

"Kahlan's boots," he pointed to the tracks, "someone must have grabbed her and dragged her to a carriage or wagon of some sort," he followed the tracks. Zedd squinted trying to see what the boy was talking about. Richard had amazing eye-sight and being a woods guide for so many years, he was used to following trails. He knew Richard was speaking the truth.

"But who would take her?" Zedd questioned. Cara huffed.

"She is the Mother Confessor. The last Confessor at that. Her head would bring about a large bounty, that's for sure," Cara stated. Richard shot her a death glare. She backed up a bit. Richard pushed past them and entered the tavern again. He went straight to the bartender.

"Do you know of any men that would want to take the Mother Confessor in here?" he questioned. The bartender gave him a look as he washed a mug with a dirty cloth.

"Are you kidding me, every man in this room would want their chances with her," his dark eyes looked at Richard like he was crazy. Richard reached his hand across the counter and gripped the man by his dirty shirt, pulling him close to face him.

"Listen to me," Richard growled, "you will tell me what you know, or I will slice you from navel to nose," he held his sword out to prove his point. The bartender gasped at seeing the sword.

"Seeker," he had only just recognized it, "forgive me. Of course," he took Richard's hand off his shirt, "Come this way," he whispered and pointed with his head full of black curls. His fat jiggled as they walked to the side room, barely big enough to hold the four of them.

The bartender gazed in Cara's direction, "The Seeker has questionable friends," Richard was running out of patience.

"The Mother Confessor. Where is she?" he questioned, his big brown eyes ablaze. The man shifted uncomfortably at Richard's glare.

"The men that were sitting in the far right corner tonight. They're Jagang's men. Jagang is a tyrant. An evil man. He's a dream walker and has the ability to slip into one's mind and change their thought patterns as they sleep. Almost like a hypnosis," he cleared his throat, "he has a harem of women that he captures and uses for…entertainment purposes for himself and for his men," he looked away from Richard's gaze, "The Mother Confessor would be a nice add on to that collection," he stated. Richard's gaze deepened in intensity.

"Where is this Jagang?" Zedd questioned, seeing Richard was in no shape to be thinking straight. The bartender shook his head.

"They camp out. Jagang's got a lot of men…like a small army. They all work for the Order," he said. Richard looked confused.

"Order?" he questioned. Cara piped in.

"The Order is an army. Men from outside D'Hara and the Midlands. Men that work for themselves. They're brutal and even Darken Rahl had troubles fighting them off. Their tactics are cruel, even crueler then that of Mord'Sith," Cara turned to Richard, "If Kahlan's been taken by the Order, by this Jagang character, it's going to take a lot more than just us to get her out," she looked him in the eye, "you'll need an army."

Richard wiped a hand across his face, "Cara, we don't even know where this Jagang is and we don't know how heavily guarded he is," he said.

The bartender looked between the two before speaking, "Jagang's heavily guarded. He basically runs the Order. Seeker, the Mord'Siths right. You'll need a lot more than just one sword, one stick and one wizard to beat them." He looked back to Richard.

Richard sighed heavily, realizing what he was going to need to do. Zedd spoke what Richard didn't want to.

"You'll have to claim the throne sooner than originally planned."