Chapter 4

Richard's Resolve

"Richard, my boy, calm down. There's nothing you can do. Kahlan made a hard choice and put aside her own life to save the Midlands. That's what being the Mother Confessor is Richard." Zedd reached under Richards arms and tried to help him stand up, but he shoved out of Zedd's grip in anguish and clutched the sword of Truth as he stood, pulling strength from the anger of the magic.

"YOU! You let her leave! Why didn't you stop her? Do you really think that Rahl is going to keep peace with the Midlands? You and everybody else are out of their minds to trust him! How could you just let her go….with D'Harans? I'm afraid to even think what they've done to her by now. They're brutes just like Rahl! Do you realize what he's going to do to her? You betrayed me, Zedd! I thought I knew you, but I don't!"

"Richard…"

But he wasn't listening; he shoved his way past Zedd and Chase, who had been watching in silence, and stalked towards the edge of camp. He went into what had been Kahlan's tent when she was here. The Mother Confessor's touch was still evident even on the outside of her tent. Neatly laid stones were arranged around the fire pit, just like he had taught her. He went inside and looked around. All of her things remained save for her pack and her Confessors dress. He wasn't sure why she would have taken it with her, she wouldn't need it. He sank to his knees and picked up one of her daggers and pressed it against his palm until his knuckles were white. Then he threw it and it landed with a thunk into the support beam in the center of the tent.

"Kahlan why?" he whispered to himself. His breathing had began to even as he sat alone surrounded by everything that belonged to her. It made him feel comforted but at the same time he felt more separated from her than he had ever felt. Richard knew he would go after her, but what would Zedd and the resistance say? He would go alone then, he decided. No one had stopped her while he was gone. Would he have found a way? He groaned and put his face in his hands, feeling the weight of the past month shudder through him. He was exhausted but he wouldn't sleep.

He got up and went towards where Lucan and Grenden had been seen taking his things. Thankfully, the box of Orden was with Zedd now. At least that much was taken care of. He scanned his quarters for his things and noticed that everything he had left behind while going to Tamarang had been brought here as well. He began to mentally take inventory at what he would need to take with him to D'Hara. It was freezing this time of year and he wanted his warm fur cloak, for sure. He began to search through the pile of belongings but was frustrated that he couldn't find it. He opened his trunk last and fumbled through more things. "Where is it?" he grumbled to himself.

As he was closing the lid, a piece of paper fell to the floor. Leaning over to pick it up he was about to toss it outside to add to the wood for fire when he noticed Kahlan's handwriting. He froze. Not really sure if he wanted to know of any of her excuses, he picked up the letter anyway, curiosity had out won over anger. He opened the letter and couldn't hold it still because his hands were shacking so badly. He took a deep breath and began to read.

Richard,

There's so much I wanted to say to you but I am at a loss for words. I hope you will remember the good things about me and not harbor bitterness in your heart against me. I hope that you will go on to live a normal life and find a wife and have the many children I know you long to have. Please know that my heart will only and always belong to you. –Kahlan

(Oh yes, and I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty of taking your fur cloak with me. It's frigid here today and I don't have any time to search out something warm.)

Richard couldn't help but wonder why she seemed so lighthearted about the whole situation. But he was floored to see her admit her love for him. She had said she shared his feelings but loving him? He smiled sadly to himself as he closed his eyes and thought of her face. After reading her letter he had a new sense of purpose to search for her. No matter what happened, he would get her back.