A/N: Update. Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter, and everyone who has added this to alert/favourite. I disclaim! Please read and review!
Sunlight was not welcomed this morning. Normally Kahlan Amnell was awake and active just before dawn's light had reached their camp, but this morning she had slept soundly. She ascended from the warm waters of sleep slowly, the light illuminating the lids of her eyes and bringing her back to reality. Her brow furrowed, and she whimpered softly. Not now. It can't be morning yet. It seemed only moments ago that she'd fallen into a deep slumber, having spent most of the night watching Richard as he slept.
With a petulant huff, she rolled over onto her left, tucking her head into the crook of her elbow and pretended that she wasn't awake at all. If she breathed deeply enough, the Mother Confessor was sure she could lull herself back to sleep. Only the soft chuckle at her back prevented that.
Kahlan hadn't meant to do it, but that warm rumble of contained laughter cracked her eyes open a slither. Her shoulders heaved in a defeated sigh. There was no going back to sleep now. The morning was well and truly here, and the light had penetrated her eyes, meaning dreams were lost for another day. Whoever it was that had felt the need to chuckle at her was going to pay with a scowling look, and maybe even a curt word or two. If it wasn't for them, she might very well be asleep again now.
She rolled over in one fluid motion, resting her weight on the other arm now to come face to face with Richard. He too was on his side, his head propped up by the palm of his bent left arm. The boyishly handsome features of his face were incandescent with...what? Kahlan couldn't place the emotion immediately. Normally she could read Richard with the ease she could a book, yet this morning she wasn't quite sure what he was feeling.
Joy, her mind answered for her and she knew it to be true. His face was full of joy, the likes of which Kahlan couldn't recall seeing before. Only half aware of the movement of her own lips, Kahlan found herself smiling at Richard smiling, and it warmed her from the inside out. Richard Rahl, the man who comprised her entire world was joyous, so all was right with world. Instinctively she half shuffled closer to him, aching to feel his infectious warmth even more than his smile allowed.
"Good morning." He said at last. His free arm which had rested the length of his body carefully inched up so that the palm was facing her, fingers slightly parted. It hung in the middle distance between them for just a moment, both of them looking at the offering.
"Good morning Richard."
Kahlan responded in kind, lifting the arm that wasn't holding her up to touch his. His skin was wonderfully rough against hers; the sign of a true woodsman. For a moment, Kahlan was content to measure her hand against his, her mind listing all the differences between their limbs.
Richard's hand was larger than hers, wider and longer so that it came close to dwarfing hers. His hand was masculine and hard to the touch, her own was slender and soft. Kahlan glanced up so see Richard studying their hands in the same way she was. The Seeker caught her eye, and slowly lowered his fingers so that their hands were interlocked. It was rare for them to be so intimate with one another. Usually they only gave in to their hearts when the other had come close to death. Whether it was the Confessor in her not, Kahlan knew that Richard had been shaken up by his experience in the desert of Perdition. His explanation of what he had seen had been clipped and lacking true description of his worst fears. She knew she was involved, if only because of the way he greeted her when he'd escaped.
For her part, Kahlan felt the same way. She had spent most of the night watching him sleep, afraid to close her eyes in case he was no longer there when she awoke. A world without Richard didn't even register as a fear because she simply couldn't imagine a world where he didn't exist. Watching him so diligently had meant sitting through the rain, but Kahlan didn't mind. When the skies had eventually cleared, she finally gave in to sleep. Thankfully Richard was still there when she awoke, and right now he needed tactile comfort as much as she did.
Richard's smile was back, and his gentle laugh broke free of his expression with the huff of a breath. If she could have her way, Kahlan would stay like this forever. Alone and in contact with Richard was enough of her life for her. Unfortunately duty dictated otherwise. Despite her longing, Kahlan knew it was dangerous to wallow to long at the well of what could have been had their lives been different.
"Where are Zedd and Cara?" Kahlan finally asked, loath to break the comfortable silence between them but doing it all the same. Her neck craned slightly as she scanned around the camp. Their bed rolls had been stashed away, although their packs were still resting against a log that made part of a row that half encircled their camp.
"Zedd went to the river to get water," Richard explained, his disappointed sigh breaking his flow of words. "And Cara has gone to collect firewood. The rains soaked what we had left, so we'll need more before we set off." As an almost after thought Richard added, "They left not long after first light, so they'll probably be back soon."
From the tone of his voice, Kahlan could tell Richard wanted her in this moment as much as she did him. It wasn't often they were alone together, and when they were they made the most of it. It was difficult being with the person you loved at all times, yet seldom having the chance to be close to them in any sense.
"You should have woken me," Kahlan said, frowning as she realised she had apparently been failing to perform her fair share of the necessary chores they divided up whilst they travelled. "It was my turn to get water."
Richard smiled again. "You looked so peaceful. I didn't want to wake you, and the other two agreed."
"Agreed?" Kahlan asked innocently. "Or did as they were told?"
In that moment, Kahlan wanted nothing more than to close the distance between herself and Richard and kiss him deeply. The longing she felt seemed magnified in this moment, and it took all the will she had to keep her Confessor power in check to not throw caution to the wind and have at him with abandon. Luckily, the sound of someone returning put a pause to that. Both Richard and Kahlan turned in the direction of the sound of crunching twigs and leaves being brushed aside.
Zeddicus Z'ul Zorander strode through the trees, extending to his full height as he cleared the last few branches. Both of his hands held onto the handle of a pail that sloshed with the water inside it. Despite the deep magical strength Kahlan knew he had, the sight of Zedd's twig fingers clutching the pail to him made her guilt surge. He should not have had to pick up the slack for her not being able to rouse herself as she should.
The Wizard of the First Order glanced between Richard and Kahlan, a knowing smile curving his lips. "Well good morning Mother Confessor," his deep voice always reminded Kahlan of the growl of a cantankerous old dog, though it was tempered with genuine affection. "You look well rested. Would you care for some breakfast?"
Reluctantly, Kahlan let go of Richard's hand and stood up, kicking her bed roll aside. She straightened the length of her forest green robes, brushing away at the few strands of stray grass that had snuck into the creases. Stepping around Richard Kahlan moved to take the pail from Zedd.
"Let me do that Zedd. I'm sorry I overslept." She glanced at him from beneath her mane of hair, feeling colour stain her cheeks. "You should have woken me to get the water. It isn't fair you had to do it in my place."
Zedd smiled with his usual fatherly expression. He made no effort to prevent Kahlan from taking the water, instead placing a gentle hand on her shoulder and guided her to where the fire still smoked from the previous attempts at lighting the water saturated wood.
"Nonsense, child. You clearly needed rest, so it was rest you had. Besides, if anyone should have fetched the water in your place, it should have been Richard over there." The Seeker had moved from lying on the ground and had just taken a seat on a rock when he glanced up at Zedd's suggestion. His eyes narrowed playfully. "After all, it is his fault you were kept up all night. A Mother Confessor watching over a Seeker of Truth as he slept. Whatever next? Oh that's right, a Seeker of Truth watching over a Mother Confessor as she slept. What would your ancestors say!"
Kahlan and Richard exchanged warm glances at their mirrored concern for one another, and Zedd tutted his apparent disapproval. The Wizard made a show of rolling his eyes, but the mischievous grin negated the movement.
Squeezing Kahlan's shoulder gently, he moved away to take a seat on a log that bordered the edge of the camp they had made. With a great a deal of huffing and groaning, Zedd finally managed to lower himself onto the wood, wincing as his knees snapped and cracked in protest. Digging into the pouch tied at his waist, he removed a handful of purple berries which he happily began to pop into his mouth with one bony handful at a time.
"Well it was very kind of you to do it for me Zedd," Kahlan smiled. "I promise to make you something extra tasty for breakfast as a thank you."
"I hope that goes for all of us."
Wizard, Confessor and Seeker all turned in unison to see the Mord'Sith Cara emerge from the trees as Zedd did. Her arms clutched a bundle of logs to her chest, which she deposited in a pile next to the fire.
Kahlan smiled brightly at her. "Good morning Cara. Sleep well?"
"Not as well as you, apparently." The Mord'Sith failed to even look up as she addressed the Mother Confessor, too busy kneeling down and arranging logs on the fire.
Kahlan didn't take it to heart, knowing that it was partly Cara's way. But more than that, she had recently lost someone she'd cared about. Leo, the man named Seeker in Richard's absence had died defending Kahlan from the traitorous Sister Nicci. As much as she tried to keep her feelings locked tightly behind the mask of Mord'Sith, Kahlan knew it had affected the woman deeply.
"I look forward to seeing what you prepare," Cara announced, rising to her full height as she finished organising the firewood. "Zedd devoured the last of the bread after last night's meal."
"Well what do we have left?" Kahlan turned slightly toward Richard, who was searching through the bag where they kept the communal food provisions.
"Nothing," he said finally, turning the bag upside down and giving it a brief but firm shake to illustrate its total emptiness. "We'll need to start keeping a better eye on the food. If we're stuck travelling with no town near to us, it'll be difficult to stock up again.
Cara folded her arms, the leather of her attire squeaking softly at the friction. "Richard, you and I will have to go hunting for the morning meal."
The Seeker nodded, not bothering to correct Cara for the instruction. "Zedd, would you head into that village through the trees and see if you can pick us up some more bread?" Richard grinned at his grandfather's eyebrows arched wildly on his forehead. "You did finish the last of it after all."
"I'll go." Stepping forward, Kahlan placed the pail down and started to walk across the camp. "Zedd got the water this morning, so I'll head to the village and pick up some bread. There might be other food provisions we can use."
Richard's forehead creased with concern. "Alone? I'm not sure if that's a good idea. Zedd can go with you."
The Confessor shook her head. "It's just on the other side of those trees Richard. I'll be there and back by the time Zedd has got the water boiling. Right Zedd?"
From across the camp, the Wizard nodded his assent, cheeks bulging with berries.
"It's settled then." Cara stooped down next to her belongings, selecting a bow and arrow for the journey. "This way Richard. I passed rabbit tracks on the way back. Perhaps we can track those."
Richard caught Kahlan by the elbow, gently guiding her around to face him. His hands found their way up the lengths of her arms to close around the back of her neck. Her teeth bit down onto her bottom lip as she felt his fingers probe and explore the soft fall of hair at the nape of her neck. Sunlight reflected off his eyes, highlighting a rich caramel colour in their depths. He studied her face carefully, as though he were trying to commit every last detail to memory.
"Be safe," Richard said softly. "Keep your daggers close at all times, and confess anyone you think is a threat." She didn't need to be told any of that, those two principles making up the bulk of her training since childhood. "And if you're not back by the time we are, I'm coming after you Kahlan Amnell."
It was a statement, not a request. It wasn't that long ago that Kahlan would have admonished the Seeker for making such foolish decisions when his life was vastly more important than her own. But she made no effort to dissuade him. He would come after her regardless of what she told him to do, and since learning that victory against the Keeper was possible provided her heart continued to beat, the knowledge that Richard would always be there was a great source of comfort.
Despite the audience, Kahlan rested her forehead against Richard's. "Come back safe Richard." A ghost of a smile reached her lips. "If you're not back by the time I am, I'll be coming to look for you."
Richard chuckled softly. Tilting his head up, he pressed a kiss into her forehead before breaking the contact all together. Feeling the acute loss of his body against hers, Kahlan folded her arms around herself, and watched her love and his bodyguard disappear into the trees.
"Would you like some company Kahlan?"
Zedd's voice broke her from the spell Richard's exit had placed her under. Glancing over her shoulder, she sent the Wizard a bright smile and headed over to where her belongings lay. Scooping a few things into a pouch, she fixed it to her waist and slid her daggers into the slender scabbards at her ankles. She wasn't expecting trouble, but only a fool travelled without the necessary precautions to protect themselves. Regardless of whether her touch was deadlier than a pair of daggers, Kahlan felt safer with their solid weight strapped to her lower legs.
"I'll be back soon," she said finally. Reaching to her shoulders, Kahlan pulled the vast hood up and placed it over her head. It was a sign to all that she was the Mother Confessor. The title brought its own benefits and burden, the latter of which feeling all too heavy this morning. "I feel like eggs this morning Zedd. If you'd get a fire going whilst I'm gone?"
The Wizard's head nodded with vigour, already pulling himself up from the log. Kahlan chuckled, and waved her fingers briefly before turning on her heel and heading to the line of trees. She had only taken a few paces into the woods before the camp was no longer visible behind her. The Mother Confessor remembered the journey to the clearing and recalled that a traveller's path was nearby.
Several leaves still clung to the moisture of the rainfall during the evening, and they brushed against her rich green robes, leaving several dark streaks across the material. The fresh, wet morning scent was intoxicating, and Kahlan could feel herself smiling as her lungs took in the sweet smells. Often she forgot how beautiful the world could be as you passed through it. Most of the time she and the others were focused on the destination of the travel, rather than experiencing the journey. Bird song and dappled light were long lost friends on this short trip, and she planned to enjoy their company whilst she could.
Turning left through the trees, the trampled path spread out in front of her. It was a dark, dirt brown and softer underfoot than it had been last night due to the rainfall soaking into the soil. Kahlan noticed the fresh wheel tracks without realising she was assessing the road. She smiled as she half remembered the lesson Richard had taught her about reading tracks. From the way the blades of grass were bent, the wheels had gone in the same direction she was going; to the village. She fell into step alongside the wheel markings and headed along the path.
It wasn't long before the path began a gentle inclined downwards. It came closer to the river on its left, and Kahlan heard the rush of water around the same time as she spotted the ramshackle tops of buildings through gaps in the trees. The short walk had led her to the village, and she could just about make out sounds of life ahead. The laughter of children cut through the air clearly, and Kahlan felt glad. Children were always a sign of a healthy, prosperous community particularly when they were laughing. Her knowledge of this area was sketchy at best, but Kahlan knew they were mostly farming families and this little commune was the closest thing they had to a town for quite some distance.
Walking beneath the hanging boughs of trees, the path opened up to the entrance of the village. The handful of buildings dotted around in a rough circle, the centre point being the well that was busily being used by several women of the village. Nearby, the Mother Confessor spotted the children that she heard laughing. They danced and skipped happily, chasing after a ball that had been expertly crafted out of wood. Kahlan smiled at the villagers as one of the women looked up and spotted her.
Her face was careworn, with strands of straw blonde hair poking out from beneath a faded blue head scarf that matched her simple dress. Middle aged, she looked every inch the formidable woman. She nudged the women on either side of her, who also glanced up to see Kahlan's arrival.
The woman in blue ventured forward, drying her hands on the grey apron that was tied at her waist. Her face showed a mix of reverence and fear, and Kahlan guessed that she had been recognised. Confessors were the highest moral authority in all the lands, and as the Mother Confessor, her word was essentially law to these people. She doubted they had ever seen, much less been visited by a confessor not to mention glimpsing the Mother Confessor. Kahlan clasped her hands in front of her as the woman kept a respectful distance.
"You're...you're a confessor?" It was more of a question than a statement. Kahlan smiled to try and ease her concern, straightening her back as though she were trying to match up to the title.
"I am Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor." She heard her title whispered amongst the women at the well who were apparently listening in to the conversation. Even the children stopped playing to inspect the newcomer. The woman in blue, frozen by Kahlan's statement, made a sort of choking sound before immediately dropped to her knees and bowing her head. Behind her, the women did the same and a hush fell over them all.
Frowning, Kahlan knelt down before the woman. This happened all the time, and she had no patience for deference in this way. Placing her hands on her shoulders of the woman, she encouraged her to look up. "Please, there is no need. I've merely come to purchase a few provisions as I continue on my journey with the Seeker of Truth. May I ask your name?"
The woman slowly looked up, almost recoiling under Kahlan's serene gaze and stealing uneasy looks at the hands on her shoulders. She sucked in a breath. "N-Nancy, mistress. My name is Nancy." Her bark brown eyes fluttered rapidly. "My husband is the village elder. I must take you to him."
Kahlan smiled, slowly rising as Nancy did the same. "There is no need to trouble your husband Nancy, I'm sure he is very busy guiding your village. If you'd be kind enough to show me where I can purchase provisions, I would be most grateful."
It wasn't exactly following protocol, but Kahlan wasn't here in an official capacity. She just needed to buy a few things and get back to camp before Richard came charging through the trees after her. The last thing these people needed was a visit from a concerned Seeker of Truth and a Mord'Sith with an aching heart.
"Oh but Mother Confessor, Gregory would never forgive me if you came to our village and he didn't have the chance to meet you. He's always saying to people how highly he regards the work you and the other confessors do." Nancy looked desperate, and Kahlan nodded her assent. Hopefully she could meet the elder, get what she needed and return to the camp before Richard. "Please, please come and meet him. It would be our greatest honour."
The Mother Confessor allowed herself to be led across the village toward a building that looked grander than the rest, despite it needing several repairs. The building stretched up three floors, with a pointed roof constructed from tar and good thick straw. The windows were all of slightly different sizes, their tired shutters thrust open to welcome the morning sun. Kahlan had seen many buildings like this during her travels, and guessed that it served as both a meeting place for the village, as well as a home for Nancy and Gregory.
Kahlan took in the sights of the cosy village. In another life, perhaps she and Richard could have lived this way. Her gaze fell across the building next to where she was being led and her smile faltered. As they neared the building, Kahlan stopped as she spotted a cart outside. It was of simple construction, with a base set high up four large wheels. On top if it however, were thick bars constructed of metal. From where she was stood, Kahlan could see the folded up form of a person, and realised that it wasn't just a cart, but a cell.
"Who is being held there?" Her hand extended into pointing toward the cell. Nancy followed her gaze and automatically flinched.
"His name I don't know mistress, but he was brought to the village last night." Looking on either side of herself, Nancy took a step closer to Kahlan and lowered her voice before speaking again. "Rorick's men brought the lad in during the evening. Poor thing was left out all night in the cold and the rain whilst they slept in the inn."
Righteous anger rose in Kahlan at the treatment of the prisoner. "What is his crime? Can it justify leaving him out like this?"
Nancy shrugged. "The men didn't say mistress. They just told us Rorick was angry with him and he had to be taken back. We were warned to stay away from him 'less we be put in there with him."
Kahlan frowned. She had tried countless criminals over the years and brought many of them to justice. As such, her instincts for truth and fairness were strong. And something about this didn't set right with her. The prisoner should have at least been kept inside, regardless of his crime.
"Who is this Rorick you've mentioned?"
She could instantly tell it was an uncomfortable question from the way Nancy shifted from foot to foot. "He is lord and master of a town near the mouth of the river, about two hours walk from here. All the hamlets and villages near are under his protection and extended rule. We don't hear much from him, but every now and again his men pass through on his official business." Nancy shrugged her shoulders as though that were explanation enough. "He helps us during the harder winter months, and we just let his men get on with things. Best not to interfere in things we don't understand. If they say the lad needs punishing, then he must do."
The Mother Confessor knew Nancy was telling her the truth, or at least part of it. But she was holding something back. Perhaps it was out of fear, and perhaps because of something else. Kahlan vowed to get to the bottom of it, but first she had to find out more about the captive. The villagers might not be prepared to go against Rorick but she was bound by no such subordination.
"I'd like to judge that for myself," Kahlan replied, walking across the courtyard toward where the cart was standing. She was aware of the anxious gaze of the women at the well who had been watching her every move. Nearby one of the children had started to whimper. What was there to be afraid of?
As she got closer, Kahlan could make out more of the captive. He was lying on his side, and wearing a large black cloak. No other attire was obvious beneath it, other than the leather boots poking out from beneath the folds. Kahlan slowly circled around the cell, taking in the prisoner from all angles. His face was partly obscured by his cloak, but she could see he was young, perhaps no more than sixteen winters. His hair was the colour of the bright morning sunshine, near white with a golden flicker when the sun hit it. The skin she could see was the colour of freshly made cream and just as smooth.
It was the deep purple blemish that concerned her. The temple she could see was covered in an ugly bruise that reached the corner of his eye and his hairline. The hair closest to the bruise was darker and caked with dried blood. He'd suffered a blow there, either accidental or through violence Kahlan could not tell. The chains that crept from metal rings in the floor of the cart to beneath the folds of his cloak were not missed either. The Mother Confessor failed to see how a boy of his age could present any such danger to the people, and turned back to face Nancy.
"I want him released so that I may question him myself." Nancy's eyes flared open, her mouth forming a perfect round. Kahlan knew she was about to protest, and her voice took on a more authoratative tone. "The judgement of the Mother Confessor is binding. Until I deem it necessary, no harm will come to this boy. He is under my protection."
Behind her, a soft moan filtered out from behind the cloak. Kahlan turned around immediately. The prisoner's foot twitched first, followed by the clang of chains being drawn across the base as he tried to shift around. Kahlan moved to the end where his head was, and watched as the boy blinked himself slowly awake. His eyes were the shade of twilight, and took a long time to focus on anything.
"Hello," Kahlan said softly, holding onto the bars. "Don't try to move too quickly. It looks like you've taken a nasty bump to the head." He stopped moving for a moment, his eyes trying to focus on the source of the voice. "I'm going to get you out of here. Just rest there a moment."
His head lowered back down to the base again, his eyes falling shut. Kahlan watched him for a moment more, before she called to Nancy. "Quickly Nancy, find the one who has the keys to this cage. And fetch some water from the well." Nancy looked reluctant. "It is my wish that this boy be released and taken care of. Then he will be judged for whatever crimes he was arrested. Until then we have a duty of care toward him. Now go and do as I ask."
"Mother Confessor." Nancy dipped her head and rushed over to the inn and disappeared inside in a flurry of woollen blue material.
Kahlan turned back to the boy, who was now watching her from behind the bars. She smiled softly. "Do you remember what happened to you? Can you tell me your name?"
"Finn." He croaked. "I was running and I..." His voice trailed off, as he tried to piece together the broken shards of his memory through the blinding headache trying to drag him back down into the murky depths on unconsciousness. Flashes of Rorick's men, and the nearby woods formed a blurry picture in his memory. "...I slipped. Fell. Who are you?"
His voice had an accusatory tone, but Kahlan understood why. He'd been held captive after falling and injuring himself. Waking up in an unfamiliar place was bound to be unsettling.
"My name is Kahlan Amnell," she responded, pulling her hood down to expose her head. "I am the Mother Confessor. I assure you Finn I won't let anything happen to you until these issues with the man named Rorick have been resolved."
It took Finn a few moments, but what Kahlan said finally made sense in his mind. Rorick. Issues. Mother Confessor. Kahlan. Kahlan!
He inhaled deeply, his head flying up so that he sat upright. The sudden movement made the world spin and his head pound even harder, but Finn fought through it all. Tame the negative and focus on the objective, the voice of his old mentor commanded from the depths of his memory. Everything he had been looking for was right in front of him. The long months of searching were finally at an end because Kahlan had found him. There was so much he wanted to say and ask her, things that she would probably want to know as well. However Finn knew if he didn't get away from Rorick's men neither would have the chance.
Moaning as his head screamed in pain, Finn clawed his way forward to the bars where Kahlan stood. "Mother Confessor please, I need your help to escape. If I don't break free of this cage I'll be taken back to Rorick."
"Why have they imprisoned you Finn? What crimes do they say you've committed?" Kahlan leaned closer to the bars to see his face properly. Something in her subconscious itched. When she reached for it, it was like trying to remember a forgotten dream and just out of reach.
"There's no time to explain Mother Confessor. I promise I'll tell you everything, just get me away from here first!" Finn's voice raised an octave to desperation. His eyes flooded with tears as the agony in his skull threatened to send him back down to the ground.
Kahlan opened her mouth to respond, but the door to the inn flew open and men poured out. There were five in total, all large and imposing with weapons tucked on every available space on their torsos. Anger twisted all their faces into scowls, the only friendly face amongst them Nancy who meekly kept to the back of the group. The man who had assumed position in the lead of the group carefully extracted a curved blade from a scabbard at his back. The muscles in his arms tensed and flexed, making the scars crossing his flesh ripple.
"Nancy here says you want to set our prisoner free." His dark eyes probed Kahlan, giving extra special attention to her feminine curves. "Nobody is taking the lad. He is the property of Rorick and coming back with us."
Kahlan stepped away from the bars despite the groaned protest of Finn. She was not about to be intimidated by a group of ruffians who abducted young men on orders of another. "I am Kahlan Amnell, Mother Confessor and I tell you the boy is going nowhere with you until I have heard the facts of this case. I urge to you lay down your weapon so that we may discuss this with civil heads."
The sword glinted in the sun. "The hell we will. I don't care if you're the Lord Rahl's favourite wench, the only orders I take come from Rorick. Now get out of here!"
He lunged forward, obviously aiming to shove Kahlan backwards. Experience flowed through her muscles and guided her to dart to the left. With her opponent overreaching, it was simple enough to clasp her hands together as though she were wielding an axe and bring them down in a harsh blow to the back of his neck and shoulders. He grunted with the impact and skidded to the ground a few paces away.
Silence descended on the village court yard. The remaining four men looked stunned that the Mother Confessor had so soundly bested their captain. Behind her, Kahlan heard the scurry of feet and guessed the women were getting the children indoors. She really didn't want to fight these men, but if they continued to physically restrain Finn then she would do what was necessary. Kahlan had spent years fighting Darken Rahl's armies, and had seen off more than her fair share of Quads. It remained to be seen if a handful of thugs for hire would pose a serious threat.
The man in the dirt groaned as he tried to pick himself up. "Get her!" He spluttered between mouthfuls of dirt.
All at once the men lunged toward her. In the blink of an eye, Kahlan reached down to her boots and retrieved her daggers. Spinning the deadly blades in her palms, she gripped them so the blades faced toward her and the ends toward the oncoming foursome. They were staggered in their approach which gave Kahlan a slight advantage.
Side-stepping the first lackey, she brought her right arm up in an arc, the blade of her dagger slicing the flesh across the back of his upper arm. Kahlan's left arm came up to meet her right, and her arms crossed above her just in time to meet the descending arm of the second thug who had been trying to club her across the head with a mace. With his arm trapped above her, Kahlan kicked straight forward with her leg. The soft flesh of his gut easily gave way under the force of the blow, sending him staggering backwards and into his companion who was close on his heels.
That only left the forth who rushed toward her with a sword. Kahlan swung her right arm down in a stabbing motion, deflecting the path of the sword. With her feet firmly planted on the ground, she twisted her torso and brought the metal pommel of the left dagger directly into the side of his head. A sickening crunching sound was all Kahlan heard as the man slumped to the ground, eyes rolling into the back of his head. She stepped over him without a thought, and slammed the pommels of both daggers against the lock keeping the door of Finn's cage locked. The clash of metal rang out, just before the lock splintered completely and fell off. Pulling the door open, Kahlan slid one blade to Finn before stepping back across the fallen man to face the remaining four. They had group together and now eyed the Mother Confessor warily.
"Finn is under my protection," she announced, pointing her remaining dagger toward the gathered men whilst Finn used the other to break the link of the chain binding him to the cage. "Any who try to do him harm will answer to me. Until I have made my decision on his crimes you will not transport him anywhere."
The leader stepped forward. "You don't know what you're doing Confessor! He is dangerous. He's killed before, and will do it again." He saw the flicker of doubt crossing Kahlan's face and seized his advantage. He began walking toward her, taking easy measured steps and holding his hands up to show his lack of weapon. "He's a murderer, and you've just set him lose. Only Rorick can control the boy. Let me lock him up and take him back. You have my word we'll treat him well all the way."
"Kahlan watch out!"
She was too slow in turning around at Finn's warning to see the fallen lackey lunging toward her with a short sword she hadn't seen him carrying. Kahlan could see it all happening before her eyes, him coming at her with a sword and she was moving too slowly to defend herself. She would be impaled on its end, right in the centre of her chest and would die here in this inconsequential little village. Richard would find her body and weep no doubt, losing the will to fight. And the mission to defeat the Keeper would be lost because her heart would be still, her spirit a plaything for Darken Rahl. All because she'd allowed a common thug to distract her.
Whatever her dark thoughts led her too, none of them came to fruition. Finn leapt from the cage at the final moment, crashing down on top of the man. The sword was knocked off course, instead slicing harmlessly through the air.
Kahlan felt the arm snake around her, pinning her hands to her side. More importantly, she felt the cold kiss of a blade against her throat.
"Get off Makin, Finn," he growled next to her ear, "or I slice her pretty little head right off her shoulders."
Finn hesitated at that, his first hovering in the air above the Makin's head that he held up by the hair. His twilight eyes narrowed on Kahlan being held in such a manner. Only he didn't do what he was told. Still holding him by the hair, Finn dragged the attacker up by it. He didn't have a dagger to Makin's throat, instead he simply clasped it in his hand.
"You've got five seconds to unhand the Mother Confessor Niall," Finn responded slowly, "or I end your brother's life right now."
Kahlan felt Niall shift uncomfortably behind her, the blade easing up from pressing into her windpipe ever so slightly. So these two were brothers, Niall and Makin, and apparently Niall was not ready to gamble with his brother's life.
"How do I know you won't do it once I let her go?" Niall's eyes narrowed into slits as he stood behind Kahlan like she was some kind of shield.
A slow smile spread across Finn's face. "You don't. But it isn't me you should be worried about. Do you know who that woman is? She is Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor. You won't find a more powerful Confessor than her, Niall. And if you do anything to hurt her, the Seeker of Truth will hunt you down to the ends of the earth in vengeance. Assuming the Wizard of the First Order or the Seeker's pet Mord'Sith doesn't find you first." Finn licked his lips, looking like he was enjoying striking fear in Niall's heart. Kahlan frowned at the way Cara was described, but couldn't deny the accuracy. At the same time, it made her wonder how Finn knew so much about them all. "Just think of all the people who will witness it."
With the suggestion planted, Niall glanced around him. Finn was right. Several villagers were stood in doorways and leaning out of windows, watching what was happening. Any one of them could report back to the Seeker of his actions, and the last thing he needed was an enemy as powerful as that. Sucking in a breath, Niall grudgingly relaxed his arm and lowered the blade from Kahlan's throat. He took a step back, and she immediately side stepped away from him, rubbing her neck.
Finn nudged his captive forward, eventually releasing his grip and shoving him toward Niall. He caught his brother, quickly checking to see if he was unharmed by his encounter with Finn. The wound on the side of his face from Kahlan's dagger had stopped oozing blood but he looked the worse for wear.
"What is the meaning of this?" A new voice spluttered behind Finn. "Who are you people and what are you doing in our village? We don't want any trouble here, you hear?"
Nancy stepped forward and moved to her husband's side who had emerged from the village hall. He was dressed in a tunic of dark brown and black leather pants, obviously well worn and used to life outdoors. Apart from the simple chain around his neck, Kahlan would have guessed he was just like any other aging villager.
"Gregory, this is Kahlan Amnell the Mother Confessor." He turned a pair of wide brown eyes on Kahlan, who nodded by way of greeting. "These men here were sent by Rorick to take this lad to him. The Mother Confessor does not want that to happen."
The village elder stepped forward, his forehead creased into a deep frown. He glanced between the three parties, before stopping in front of Kahlan. "It is an honour to have you in our village Mother Confessor. I only wish it could be under better circumstances." He glanced to Niall and his men. "You're here for the boy, are you?"
Niall nodded. "He is the property of Lord Rorick and he wants him returned immediately. I don't need to remind you of all that Rorick has done for you and your village these past months, Gregory. A powerful friend is difficult to come by these days." Niall's eyes narrowed on Finn. "I'd hate to see you make a decision that would damage that friendship."
Gregory shook his head. "Rorick wants him, you say?" His voice sounded tired and defeated. "Of course we will abide by his wishes. Mother Confessor, I ask you humbly to please allow these men to do their jobs. We are a small village, and we rely on the support of Rorick to help us in the harsh months."
Finn looked alarmed, but Kahlan was furious. "Absolutely not, sir. These men have held Finn captive in the most appalling manner possible. I will not allow him to be taken until I know the facts of the case against him. Rorick may be your friend, but I am the Mother Confessor. Both he and you are bound to honour my wishes."
The elder looked pained, and went so far as to pinch the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. His shoulders heaved in a heavy sigh as he finally looked at Kahlan again. "My deepest apologies Mother Confessor. But I cannot risk Rorick's displeasure. Please do not stand in the way of these men. I wouldn't want to see you hurt."
Kahlan's eyes widened in abject surprise. Was this man, an elder of his people, really going to take the decision of a lord over that of the Mother Confessor? Had the world gone completely mad in the time she'd spent in the Old World?
"You disappoint me in your decision Gregory." Kahlan's voice was cold and her words sharp. "You do what you must to keep Rorick's favour. I am duty bound to serve justice, and for that reason will do what I can to prevent this."
"And we will do what we must to stop you." Nancy said from beside her husband.
Kahlan carefully took in the villagers who had started to gather in the courtyard and the weapons they had brought. Pitch forks, axes and various clubs fashioned from wood. These weren't soldiers, but Kahlan believed they would do everything they could to stop her. Their loyalty to Rorick meant more to them than following her. The Mother Confessor found herself wishing that Richard had been serious about coming to find her if she wasn't back before him. This was going to get ugly very quickly and she would need his strength.
They all stood in silent stillness, until the man Finn had held captive shattered it. Snatching the short sword from his brother's hand, Makin dashed toward Finn who shrank back in fear. Kahlan moved to stop him, but was tackled from the side by Nancy and Gregory who wrestled her to the ground. Even if she confessed them both, Kahlan knew she was helpless to stop the attack and could only watch as Makin hurt Finn.
Just as Makin was upon Finn, he acted. His head pounded and his limbs ached, but the adrenaline of the moment made him move. He dodged to the side of the blow, his left arm clamping down over the sword arm. With Makin's arm pinned against Finn's side, he realised his mistake. He opened his mouth to howl in fear, but no sound came out as the boy's hand snatched at his throat. The instant the contact was made, all present felt a slight change in the air pressure as well as hear what sounded like a rumble of thunder in the distance. Kahlan in particular froze in horror as she recognised what was happening before her.
Finn's eyes returned to normal from inky black and he released his grip on Makin, who dropped to his knees before him.
"Command me Confessor."
"NO!" Niall roared, rushing for Finn and his brother.
Even Gregory and Nancy released Kahlan, watching the events unfolding in shock as they realised who and what Finn truly was. It was only the Mother Confessor who had the presence of mind to act. She reached out for Niall, stopping him before he got close to Finn and Makin.
"Don't," she said softly. "He is lost to you now." Niall shuddered next to her, as she focused her gaze on Finn. His expression was blank, his eyes devoid of any real emotion. It was only Makin who looked animated, standing up to put himself between Finn and everyone else.
A cold, slithering trickle of horror coiled itself in the pit of her stomach. What have I done? In her haste to see justice done, Kahlan had inadvertently unleashed a peerless terror on the world. How could she have been so blind to the danger? Kahlan wondered if she considered herself so above the local laws that she failed to see the big picture. Finn was a male Confessor. Cognitive conflict almost floored Kahlan, as everything in her training told her this was not possible. Male confessors were killed at birth. It simply couldn't be that one had lived to near adulthood.
Then she remembered her sister's son. Had it not been for the intervention of the Mord'Sith, he could have lived to Finn's age. Had other confessors been unable to end the lives of their infant sons and allowed them to live? Kahlan was scandalized by the mere thought of it. Few things were more dangerous than a male confessor. The fact that Finn had survived this long was a testament to how malevolently powerful they truly were.
"You did this." Niall hissed, bringing Kahlan out of the rush of logic that had tried to explain the situation. "I told you not release him. I told you he was a murderer. Now that monster took my brother from me! You will pay for this Mother Confessor!"
Niall howled with rage and turned, working a dagger loose from his leather wrist cuff. Kahlan tried to back away but couldn't do it fast enough.
"Touch her and I will command your brother to kill himself," Finn calmly announced, his dead eyes focused on Niall. The man stopped, his eyes filled with sorrow and rage as he looked at the woman he felt was responsible for this. "Kahlan, we need to leave now. Come with me."
Now it was Kahlan's turn to look angry. "Leave with you?" She cried. "You are a danger to every living thing from here to the People's Palace. I'm not going anywhere with you Finn. If anything, I'm going to put you back in that cage and destroy you myself."
Kahlan wielded her remaining dagger expertly. She may have been responsible for releasing a male confessor onto the world, but she would most certainly make it right. Finn caught her eye, and for a moment Kahlan froze. He looked sad, almost betrayed by her response.
This was not how he'd wanted his first meeting with the Mother Confessor to end. Finn had always known she'd react badly to the news, but he'd assumed she would give him the benefit of the doubt to explain himself first. Clearly he was wrong, and self preservation was necessary in order to survive this.
"Don't let anyone come after me." He ordered to Makin. Suddenly animated, Making blocked the path as best he could as Finn turned and ran toward the exit of the village.
The world swam all around him, but he refused to stop. He needed to get as far away from here and re-evaluate everything. Coming to the Mother Confessor had been a mistake.
In front of Finn, one of the village children ran out, her hands grasping for the wooden ball that rolled away from her. Behind him, Finn heard a woman shriek the little girl's name realising her daughter had wandered away and was now in his path. The little girl grabbed her ball and looked up to see Finn racing toward her. She couldn't get out of his way fast enough and he snatched her up in his arms, turning back to face Rorick's men and several villagers who were giving chase. Makin was somewhere lost in the crowd, but that didn't matter.
Placing his hand over her throat, Finn shouted back toward the group led by Kahlan. "If anyone follows me, I'll kill her."
With that Finn turned and bolted to the exit, holding onto the girl as she wailed for her mother. He dashed out between two buildings and out of sight of everyone in the courtyard.
Kahlan's chest heaved with fear of what Finn might do to the child. Male confessors were twisted to madness by the power they had which they couldn't control. She couldn't be responsible for any more death and so turned to Niall and the others.
"I will go after Finn myself. Stay here and get more of Rorick's men. We'll need the extra support." She grabbed Niall by the arm to make him listen closely. "Tell Rorick I will personally return Finn to him, only I can't guarantee in what condition."
With nothing more to say, Kahlan took off into a run, following the path Finn had taken. She dashed out of the entrance to the village and toward the path which led through the trees. Silently, she prayed to the creator to keep the little girl safe. She couldn't bear the thought of a child being harmed because she had been too foolish to see Finn for what he was. She only hoped she could get to Finn in time before he did it, because there was no doubt in her mind that's what he would do. He was a male confessor, the only creature with a greater capacity for pain and torment than a Mord'Sith.
Kahlan hadn't even reached the trees when she heard the soft whimper of a child. Coming to an abrupt halt she looked to the left of the path where she saw the little girl crouched down behind the trunk of a cut down tree. Kahlan called to her softly, startling the child into a renewed flood of tears. It only took a moment, but Kahlan reached the girl and swept her up into her arms, holding her gently and whispering softly into her hair that she would be alright.
The child was unharmed and hadn't been confessed which puzzled Kahlan. She deduced that Finn must have left the village and simply dumped the child rather than succumbing the darker urges linked to his power. Glancing around the woodland path, Kahlan confirmed the suspicion as she saw that she and the child were alone.
Finn was nowhere to be seen.