Chapter 6

Aeryn ended up leading the way, which was fine by Richard. He let her take the charge of something, it seemed to be what she needed. A way to grab control of a situation. He just didn't want her to get lost, the module wasn't far but the woods became confusing at night.

"You're so dead, Richard." Her voice was amused and he swore she might have giggled at the end.

"I was afraid of that. But I'm not going to give in so easily." Richard knew now that holding off making love to Kahlan would be even more torturous, but until it became impossible he was going to wait.

"You should just save yourself the agony and take her."

"What right now? With you two inches away?"

"We could do with some good entertainment…" Aeryn looked over her shoulder at him and smiled. They both laughed as they came up on the spaceship. She climbed into the cockpit and tossed a few things to the ground. Her pack was stuffed way back and she had to reach for it. Her fingers finally touched the leather and she pulled it free. They had some extra clothes and supplies in there in case they were stranded on a planet. Like now. She looped the bag over her shoulder then climbed down. Before they left she pulled he canopy down. She didn't want it to become damaged if bad weather came through.

Hopping down, she went to pick up the supplies she'd tossed only to find that Richard was already carrying them.

"I'm a step ahead." Richard was happy to be able to help. It's what he specialized in after all.

"Thanks. Lets get back." She took the lead again wanting to prove that she could navigate a forest just as well as the next guy. Just because she was foreign and a woman didn't make her inept. She was thinking about how silly it was for him to accompany her when she heard him clear his throat. She turned and he was standing by a large tree with a gigantic smile on his face. His thumb was pointing to the left.

"This way." He held in his laughter as she glared at him and walked back. "You still want to lead?"

"Shut up." She waved her arm telling him to get moving before she hit him for being right. He laughed then and moved swiftly back through the trees. She flashed a smile thinking about John reacting similarly except he'd have cracked a joke about her having a Hynerian's sense of direction or something.

"I've been a woods guide most of my life. It's what I'm good at." He tried to explain. He didn't want her to feel stupid.

"Well I bet I could navigate circles around you in space."

"I'm sure that you could." He pulled the branch back, opening the view to the campsite. "And here we are." She ducked under it and made her way back towards John.

Richard stopped by the fire to add enough wood to get them through the night with sufficient heat. He stirred at the hot coals and sent a group of sparks into the night air. Kahlan was asleep he saw with a spot behind her saved for him. He couldn't wait to slip under the blanket and warp his arm around her. He spooned her against him every night they slept much more soundly with the added warmth.

He looked on as Aeryn helped settle John in. She repositioned him so he was laying down making sure that his bandaged head received no more damage. When he was comfortable she removed her leather vest, which left her in a curious looking bit of fabric that covered only her breasts. He couldn't help but notice how fit she was.

She climbed in beside him and settled her head against his chest. He could see John's hand rub along her back and he leaned his head down and kissed her forehead. They whispered goodnight to each other and closed their eyes. Richard smiled at how simple it was. The routine seemed to be the same no matter where you were from. There was a universal need to be held and loved and it made him feel that they really weren't so alone.

The yawn snuck up on him and he stretched before walking over to Kahlan. She looked so content in sleep. He laid the sword down next to her daggers and then slipped in beside her. She instinctively snuggled into his chest and he heard her murmur his name in sleep. He kissed the back of her head an told her that he loved her before closing his eyes and letting sleep take over.

Sentia was lost. He had been wandering around the same area for days. He never should have stolen from that man in Fernan. He hadn't known that he was the head councilman until he was being chased by a hoard of soldiers straight out of the town. Luckily he was nothing if not fast. He'd been running since he was a child. First from the family dog, then from his mother, his father and soon the town constable. He'd been labeled a no good thief his whole life. He was proud of it. He took every opportunity to increase his skill.

When he stumbled upon the four people sleeping in the middle of nowhere he almost cackled in delight. How easy would it be to strip them of all their belongings? They all looked like they were trapped in a deep, restful sleep. He was surprised that no one was assigned a watch, they must have figured that they weren't in any danger as far as they were from the nearest village. Sentia sent a prayer of thanks to the Spirits and then started to tip toe into their camp.

The years of stealing had made him stealthy. He walked silently along inching closer and closer to their possessions. The glint of silver caught his eye. The firelight had sparkled off something near one of the couples. Anything that was made of silver would bring plenty of coin at his next stop, if he ever figured out where he was.

The object that caught his attention was a sword. It had a familiar look to it, but he could't quite place it. He creeped closer to it and picked it up. The hilt was solid with a gold and silver inlaid pattern. He went to pull it free of the scabbard to inspect it more closely.

"I'd put that down if I was you."

The female voice startled him. It was from behind him and he slowly turned to look. The woman wasn't wearing anything he was familiar with. Tight black pants and a black fabric that barely covered her. She was pointing some strange, black weapon at him. It didn't even look sharp. How was that going to hurt him.

"Why don't you just go back to sleep before I have to hurt you." Sentia turned back to inspecting the prize.

"I said to put it down."

The cold metal was pressed to his temple now and he could feel her breath against his ear.

"I said to mind your own business." His elbow was sharp and he aimed well. He jabbed her in the gut and surprised her.

Aeryn grunted in pain. He didn't seem afraid of her pulse pistol at all. Strangely enough she wasn't surprised. She straightened up and pulled the trigger. A shot of yellow light flew into the air and streaked right passed his head. She didn't miss. She hadn't wanted to hit him. Killing people when there might be a way to preserve life upset her now.

"I suggest you do as the lady asks and hand me my sword."

"Your sword?" Sentia laughed and seated the weapon back into it's sheath. "Not anymore." His fist aimed for Richard's chin.

Before Richard could grasp his fist the thief was falling to the dirt and Kahlan's hand was at his throat as she pinned him to the earth.

"Do you know what I am?" Kahlan spoke through gritted teeth. Her anger towards thieves and hoodlums was amplified when they directed their misdeeds at the man she loved.

"A woman. A woman who is messing with the wrong man." He knew he'd made a terrible mistake as her eyes began to swirl with black magic. His hand gripped the hilt of the sword trying to draw it free and stop her from completing her task.

He had no idea that it was already too late.

"A confessor." Kahlan let go of her power. The magic surged through her veins and time stopped.

The horror in the mans eyes soon would be turned black and replaced with love. She felt as it left her hand and entered his pours. The thunder without sound reverberated around the campsite. His eyes swirled with the inky black magic as it absorbed into his body and his soul became hers. Then it was done. She sat back on her heels and let him up. He quickly got on his knees and bowed before her.

"Forgive me confessor! Please! I know not what I do."

She couldn't answer. Her mind was a dizzy mix of confusion and sleep. She didn't feel well. She hadn't felt this drained from a confession for a long time.

"Kahlan?" Richard pried his sword free of the thieves fingers. He could hear her breathing was erratic and heavy. Normally, she was up and ready again after confessing someone. Why wasn't she up? "Are you okay?"

He tossed the sword back towards the bedroll and then kneeled down beside her. He was next to her just as she lost consciousness and fell into his arms.

"Kahlan!"

Aeryn was beside him helping him move her back to the blankets. She felt her forehead with the back of her hand and found it cold and clammy.

"What's wrong with her? What was that?" She jumped up and grabbed the special blanket that had covered John earlier, when he was still in danger of shock, and pulled it over Kahlan.

"I don't know. This hasn't ever happened before. Even when she'd come out of ConDar… She confessed him…" Richard looked up at Aeryn and saw the slight fear enter her eyes after witnessing his fiancée's power. He was glad that Kahlan wasn't awake to see it. He knew it would hurt her. No matter how normal that sort of response was.

"My Mistress! I need to help her!" Sentia was crawling quickly over to them when Aeryn used the butt of her pistol to knock him out cold.

"That will shut him up for a while."

"What's wrong?" John had woken up during the commotion and was now working his way to his feet to see if he could help.

"You need to rest, Crichton! Do not get up and come over here!" Aeryn's voice held enough meaningful authority that he didn't dare keep trying. He settled for sitting up where he could see what was happening.

"I must have been dead to the world to not hear you guys until Aeryn hit that guy with her pulse pistol." He rubbed his eyes trying to get rid of the sleep that still lingered there. "What happened to her?"

"She confessed him." Richard nodded towards the unconscious thief. "She's sometimes weaker after a confession but I've never seen this happen to her before."

"What was different this time?" Always the scientist, despite his head wound, John knew that they had to start with what was known to find out what the unknown was.

"I don't know…" Richard thought back at what she'd done. She knocked his feet out from under him and then grasped his neck. After he made the mistake of not knowing what she was she confessed him. What had he done…

"It must have something to do with that man having magic?" Aeryn added. "If it's never happened before. Maybe he's got a quality to him that backfired against her power or something?"

"He was holding the sword!"

"The sword has magic?" John should be used to being surprised by new worlds but for some reason metal possessing some sort of spell made him reel. "Of course it does…"

"Yes. It's very powerful. He must have been trying to channel it when her magic took him." Her moan interrupted his thoughts. "Kahlan?"

"I…" Kahlan rolled over and moved clumsily off their bed. She felt terrible and knew she needed to get to the edge of the woods. her stomach was trying to rebel. Richard was trying to hold her to him. "Let go…" She clawed her way to the bushes and emptied the contents of her belly under them. "I don't feel well." She choked out the words before she felt the vomit rising in her throat again.

His hand was on her back rubbing and the other collected her long, dark locks in his hand and held them out of the way of her stomach contents. He was kissing her shoulder as she heaved again and again.

"Kahlan, baby, breathe." He was worried about her but at least she wasn't unconscious any longer. Something was very wrong with her, but she seemed to be getting passed it. The hand that was on her back was now around her and stroking her belly. He made a U shape from one side to the other trying to soothe her cramping stomach. He could feel the rippling contractions that raked her body. Now all that was coming out was a greenish bile.

"Here." Aeryn came over with a syringe full of something in her hand. "It's a muscle relaxant. It should help calm her stomach." She could hear Kahlan trying to suck in air between bouts of throwing up and she knew that the woman would faint shortly if something didn't stop her. Richard nodded and told Kahlan what she was going to give her. She grasped her arm and jabbed the needle into her bicep. The muscle there was strong and bulging and it took all the drugs readily.

They both watched as she slowly started to regain her breath. Her arms began to shake holding herself up and Richard moved his arm upwards bracing her against his chest. His forearm was between her breasts and his palm held steady on her collarbone.

"Better?" He kissed her neck and she nodded.

"I think I'm done now…"

"I think you're completely emptied by now." Aeryn provided helpful feedback as she reached down and grabbed her arm. She and Richard pulled her to her feet and then he scooped her into his arms and carried her back to bed.

"The sword… I can feel it's magic in me." Kahlan's hand reached for Richard's cheek, her fingers splayed across it. She still felt ill but the impulsive need to empty her stomach was abating. "It's similar to when I fought with it. But I can't control it… Richard… I need help."

He felt a rising panic at her distress and knew he had to calm himself down so he could help her. He kissed her forehead and stroked his hand through her hair. Letting the feel of her bring him to a state of calm.

"You need to focus on the pain that the rage is causing, Kahlan."

She closed her eyes and tried to find the source of the rage that was ravaging her body. It was all over, it felt like it was flowing through her veins. Her system was pumping it throughout her body and she couldn't catch it and stop it.

"I can't…" She panted as the effort to do as he asked ate away at her energy.

"You have to!" Richard yelled at her. His voice full of anger and fear. He saw the tears start to leak out the side of her eyes and he felt remorse at his rage. "I'm sorry, baby, try and concentrate. Trap the rage the next time it tries to pass. Set up a net and hold onto it."

"Close your eyes." Aeryn kneeled next to them and put her hand on Kahlan's head. She was burning up now a rapid change from the coldness of earlier. Her body had stopped fighting it and the magic was now taking over. "I'm going to help keep you cool. Subaceans are built at a lower temperature. By removing some of the heat from around your brain it will help you focus."

Kahlan felt better almost immediately after Aeryn's hand touched her head. She closed her eyes and concentrated again. She felt for the bits of anger that were flowing through her. She reached for it. It was so far and she was so tired. She could feel one of Richard's hands stroking her ribs, the puff of his breath against her cheek and his soft voice whispering words of encouragement. She extended her mental reach again and caught the edge of it.

It wasn't going to go easily. She moaned in pain as the bit of rage fought back. It burned and wiggled and she had only the edge. It was going to get away. Then a wave of cool rushed over her and she was able to clasp it all. She held fast and weaved a net. As the rest of the angry virus like rage flowed by she caught it. She could feel most of it clearing her blood stream. It felt like hours of waiting.

"I've got it all." She gasped. It was painful to hold onto the ball of rage and speak.

"Good." Richard felt the relief wash through him. "Now you need to get it out."

"Okay…. Aeryn needs to let go…" Kahlan knew only one way to remove magic from her, to push it out with her power. She connected the ball of rage to the string that held her power. She felt the burning return as Aeryn's hand left her forehead. A scream escaped her throat and she released her magic.

Richard took it willingly into his body, as if he had a choice. But he opened himself to receive the rage that was hooked onto the love. He felt the familiar anger enter him on the tail end of the embrace of her love. He smiled as her power whipped through him and then grabbed the ball of rage and sent it to the place that he locked away. The place in his mind that he held the rage at bay only releasing it in battle.

"Her fever is gone." Aeryn was examining her head again and found that the temperature was close to John's normal body heat.

"Thank you…" Kahlan croaked out before she slid into a deep, dreamless, sleep.

Aeryn nodded at them and headed back toward John. His brow was crinkled in concern for her. She'd taken a lot of heat from Kahlan he could see her sweating from it across the distance of the campsite.

"You okay, baby?" John opened his arms and she slid into them. She felt hot still. He was used to her cooler temperature and he hoped that she wasn't affected too much from helping Kahlan.

"Yeah. I'll be ok. I'm just a little warm right now." Aeryn felt the edges of Subacean Heat Delirium but it should go away with some rest. There was no reason for her body heat index to stay so high. "How's your head?"

"Hard as ever?" He chuckled at his own jab at himself. "It's better. I'm sure I'll be good as new in the morning."

"It is the morning." Aeryn pointed toward the horizon. The sky was beginning to lighten a hint of gray light overtaking the deep black of nighttime.

"Well then, with a few more hours of sleep." John held her as he slid back into their bed. He moved the blanket off and just pulled her body to cover his chest. She was warm enough to keep him warm and she needed to let the heat dissipate.

"Mmm, sleep. Yes that sounds good…" Aeryn drifted back into the embrace of slumber snuggled close to him. He'd put her far from the fire and the cooler air that breezed gently across her skin soothed the burn that permeated her. She was sure with some sleep she'd be better.