At Last (Chp 13)
His chest heaving with raw emotion, Richard slid to an abrupt stop where the Bender had just been a moment ago. Before he could even think of reaching Kahlan, Brey appeared directly at her side. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled the partially conscious Confessor to her feet.
"End this now, Brey. Let Kahlan go. I know you love her as much as I do; you don't want to hurt her anymore than you already have," Richard breathlessly said as he attempted to quell his fury in order to reason with the mad man. It was growing harder and harder not to grab him and tear him apart with his bare hands, but it would only endanger Kahlan more than she already was if he made an attempt like that.
"I have waited too long, lost too much to just give Kahlan up now…especially to you!" Brey seethed, his words cutting and his voice full of hatred.
Holding her securely to him, Kahlan's head fell back against Brey's shoulder as she attempted to grasp hold of reality. She could hear voices, but they were muffled and difficult to understand. Her head was swimming, the intensifying pressure causing bile to rise up in her throat again. Her eyelids felt so heavy. It was growing more and more difficult to keep them open. The only thing she was acutely aware of was the pain and that she had to end this once and for all.
"Stop!" Kahlan choked out, her breathing ragged. "Brey…I'll go with you…just let Richard and Zedd go free…"
Her voice came out in barely more than a hushed plea, but her words were like a blow to Richard's gut. "Kahlan, no! I won't let you do it!"
"If it will save your life…I would willingly give up my own…"
"Kahlan is going with me. Once I help her and undo all the brainwashing you and the Sisters have done to her, then she will remember she loves me and not you," Brey snarled at the Seeker. "And then, you'll be dead."
"You won't be going anywhere without this," Zedd suddenly interjected as he held out his hand to reveal a small shiny black stone not much larger than a sunflower seed.
"The second Sparrow's Eye!" Brey gasped as he stared wide-eyed, mesmerized by the precious object that lay in the boney hand of the Wizard. He could scarcely find the air needed to breathe as he stared at it. The stone. The final piece of his dream was now within his reach. Now if he could only get his hands on…
In a blaze of light, Brey suddenly disappeared, Kahlan collapsing to her knees now that she no longer had the support she needed to keep her up. Appearing directly in front of Zedd, Brey appeared long enough to snatch the second Eye from the skeletal hand that had held it.
Seeing Kahlan sink to the floor, Richard began to race towards her only to be brought to an abrupt stop by the sudden reappearance of the Bender at Kahlan's side again. Richard growled deep in his throat. He had been so close to finally having his arms around Kahlan only to be once again face to face with her tormentor instead.
"Stay back, Seeker!" Brey warned with lethal intent as he knelt down beside Kahlan. Rubbing her back, Brey leaned down, placing a kiss on her cheek as he helped her to her feet. "I finally have it, my love…after all these years, all the turmoil and heartache…I have the magic I need to make our dreams come true. We can be together, have our children…"
"You'll have to kill me first," Richard interrupted with a hiss, his words like venom. His eyes were flames of rage that glowed almost as brightly as his sword. He could not allow Brey to take Kahlan. The thought of Kahlan carrying that monster's child rattled him to his core, causing his heart to seize with terror. Kahlan was to be his lover…it was going to be his seed that created life within her, his children that Kahlan carried, not Brey's.
"She's mine now and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it," the Bender gloated with a smirk as he ran his hand over Kahlan's abdomen as she attempted to pull away. "She'll be carrying my child soon. How does that make you feel, Richard? Defeated? Unworthy to be the Seeker knowing that you lost the love of your life to me?"
Seeing the terrified look in Kahlan's eyes, Richard could no longer control his rage or his sword's demand for retribution for what had been done to his Confessor. Lunging towards the Bender, Richard suddenly felt unyielding hands seize his arms, holding him back. "Let me go, Zedd!" Richard screamed between panting pulls for air.
A low, heinous laugh erupted from deep within Brey's throat as a grin spread across his face. "I win…you lose, Seeker…" he calmly taunted as he pulled the other Sparrow's Eye from his pocket. With an arm securely around Kahlan's waist, Brey held an Eye in each hand. "Once I bring the two Eyes together, nothing can stop me…not even you!"
Richard watched in horror as Brey held up both stones for them to behold. Richard attempted to wrestle free from his grandfather's hold, but Zedd refused to relinquish his grasp on him. Richard stood helplessly as Brey brought both stones together. He had just failed…had failed Kahlan, losing her forever. They were never going to be able to stop Brey now.
"Brey…don't do this…" Kahlan cried, tears dropping down her cheeks as she stared despondently at her Seeker.
"I must, KK…I know you don't see it now, but you will one day. You'll see that it's for your own good," he informed her with a deadly calm that brought chills to the bone.
Bringing the two stones together, Brey's eyes gleamed with the impending power that was about to wash over him. As the two stones touched, Brey waited in breathless anticipation for the magical power to be unleashed.
Everyone stood transfixed, waiting for the power that was going to be awakened from within the stones. Brey's eyes dancing anxiously about the gloomy crypt in eager anticipation, looking for a sign, any sign that the power he had been thirsting for had finally arrived to quench his needs and make his dreams a reality at last.
"Why isn't it working?" Brey shouted hysterically, his rising fury coloring his face. "I was told it would work. I have both stones. I have sacrificed everything, given up all that I have. I have done everything that is required to make it work…everything!"
"Seems you thought wrong about the magic, Bender," Zedd informed him with a satisfied smile.
"What did I do wrong? Tell me! Is there more to it? There's more to it, isn't there? A magical incantation? Tell me what it is or I swear I will slice her to shreds!" His words flowed frantically in a heated rush, his eyes wild with a rage unlike anything they'd ever seen as the Bender saw the perfect world that he had so carefully crafted slipping through his fingers.
"You won't kill Kahlan. She's why you went through all of this in the first place," Zedd calmly reminded him as he crossed his arms over his chest, quirking an eyebrow at the Bender.
"I can and I will…for no other reason than if I can't have her than Richard can't either," he spat out with a sudden resolute calmness that made Richard's skin crawl as Brey shoved the stones into his pocket before pulling a knife from his boot.
Richard knew that Brey meant every word that he said. He could see the truth of it dancing in the stormy delusion that clouded his eyes. Richard's heart began to race at the thought. His hands grew clammy with the panic that was welling up inside of him like a swelling thundercloud about to release its storm.
Anxiously searching for an escape, Kahlan noticed an ancient bone knife lying long forgotten on top of a glass cases next to her. Reaching for it, Kahlan snatched it, bringing it around and slicing Brey's arm. Screaming out in pain, Brey instantly released his hold on the Confessor, dropping his dagger as he held his wounded arm to him. Blood poured from the gaping wound, running down his arm and soaking his shirt.
As she tried to get away, Kahlan found her legs powerless to support her. Stumbling, she fell, landing on her side. Frantically rolling onto her back on the floor, Kahlan scooted herself back against a tall bookcase. Drawing her knees tightly up against her chest, she held her broken wrist protectively against her abdomen in a futile attempt to stop the searing pain that shot through her arm. She pressed her forehead to her knees while squeezing her eyes tightly closed against the wave of dizziness that suddenly assaulted her.
Taking the opportunity, Richard raced towards the Bender with sword drawn, steadfast rage blazing through his body like a fiery bolt of lightning. Brey looked up in time to see Richard almost upon him, sword swinging in a full arch right for him. Just as the sword was about to connect with his head, Brey disappeared in a confused blast of blinding light.
Richard spun around, eyes shifting in every direction as he anxiously searched for the Bender. Everything was dead silence, save for the sounds of Richard's heated breath coming out in furious pants.
"Where is he, Zedd? Do you see him?" Richard cried as he warily made his way towards Kahlan, resisting the urge to run to her. He feared if he did, Brey would suddenly appear right at her side and they would be right back to where they had just been.
Sheathing his sword, his eyes a steady raptor's gaze on his surroundings, Richard fell to his knees before his Confessor. Tears instantly pooled in his eyes as he finally beheld her face to face. He gently grasped her arms to pull her to him. Kahlan's eyes flew open in wild panic, ready to protest the intrusion. Seeing it was Richard, Kahlan allowed him to pull her into an embrace that was strong and yet tender, terrified and yet relieved.
Kahlan released a muffled sob into Richard's shoulder as he held her, panic and fear still pounding through her heart. She could scarcely believe she was finally reunited with her Seeker. Somehow, deep down, she knew it wasn't for long.
"It's alright, Kahlan. I'm right here. I've got you now," he murmured into her hair, keeping a strong hold on her as he helped her to her feet.
Throwing her good arm around his neck, Kahlan clutched him tightly, clinging to him in desperation and fear. Burying her face in his shoulder, Kahlan sobbed uncontrollably, reality of the last several hours of horror finally washing over her.
Richard held her protectively in his strong arms, his own need for release simmering just below the surface. Swallowing back the tears, Richard murmured reassurances into her hair as he rubbed her back, the sounds of her sobbing breaking his heart.
"Brey, I know you're still in here. There's nothing more you can do so you might as well show yourself," Zedd yelled out into the sudden eerie stillness of the crypt, his eyes searching the shadows as they flickered and danced in the light of the torches.
Zedd's demands went unanswered for several breathless moments as Richard attempted to calm the distraught Confessor trembling violently in his embrace. With his arms wrapped securely around her and his hand cradling her head to his shoulder, Richard pressed his cheek to her hair as his eyes continued a wary scan of the crypt. He could feel the tiny hairs prickle on the back of his neck. He knew deep down that this was far from being over.
Out of the corner of his eye, Richard could see Zedd searching the painfully silent crypt for Brey. Richard knew he was still in the room with them. He could feel the Bender's eyes blazing a hole right through him. He would much rather have Brey's attention fully focused on him rather than on Kahlan. If he could keep Brey's mind and anger directed at him, then Kahlan could safely escape without any more harm coming to her.
Trying to calm her erratic breathing, Kahlan at last felt safe again in Richard's embrace; she was finally home. Resting her head against his chest, she could hear the rapid drumming of his heart as it thumped wildly against her ear. At that moment, it was the most wonderful sound she had ever heard.
Try as she might, Kahlan could not make the tears stop. They rolled unbidden down her face, soaking his shirt. She knew that this would not end until Brey had been captured. Until then, this was far from over. Reluctantly pulling out of the Seeker's sheltering embrace, Kahlan looked intently into his worried eyes.
"I have to get you out of here," Richard forcefully stated, his fingers running lightly down the side of her bruised face.
"Richard, I'm…I'm so sorry…I didn't…mean to…I'm sorry…" she hysterically choked out between hiccoughing gasps for breath.
Staring into her tear-filled eyes, Richard's vision began to blur from the sudden pooling of his own tears. So many emotions roiled around inside of him- relief and love, anguish for what she'd endured, rage for what Brey had done, retribution still pleading for satisfaction. "Kahlan, it's alright…it wasn't your fault…"
"No! You don't understand! It is my fault…I didn't…I…" She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head forcefully as she pulled away from him. "Richard, I love you…and…"
At that instant, Richard was struck in the back of the head, a loud sickening thud echoing in the crypt as the staff came into contact with his skull. He immediately slumped to the floor, his world suddenly going black.
"RICHARD!" Kahlan screamed at the site of her beloved lying on the ground lifeless, Brey standing over his body, a vicious grin spreading across his face.
He had a long wooden staff grasped tightly in his hands, the tip of which curved into the head of a viper. It was dark green, covered with flecks of gold and glowing red rubies were its eyes. Its mouth was open, its menacing tongue protruding, it's long sharp fangs prepared to strike its prey.
"The Staff of Ta'all Ruk'tan," Zedd gasped loudly, fear immediately filling his eyes as well as his voice as he stared in bewilderment at the weapon that was now possessed by the Bender.
Rushing for her unconscious Seeker, Kahlan was brought to an abrupt stop when Brey quickly stepped over Richard's body towards Kahlan, the rod still clutched tightly in his hands. "Stop, KK! You are mine and I'm not about to let you go!"
Blood soaked his shirt as the red liquid continued to ooze from the gash on his forearm. Brey seemed completely oblivious to the pain or his injury as he stared intensely at the Confessor. It was as if he had forgotten that it was Kahlan who had inflicted the injury upon him.
"Enough of this! I am not going anywhere with you!" Kahlan screamed at him, all the while trying everything inside of her to make the ConDar awaken within her. She had reached the end of her rope a long time ago, but Brey had just pushed her right over the edge when he attacked Richard.
Just then, Richard began to moan softly as consciousness gradually began to sweep away the dark nothingness that had enveloped him. Grabbing his head, Richard slowly opened his eyes as he sat up.
"Richard!" Kahlan cried in relief as she tried to make her way to him, but her path was blocked. Brey quickly shoved her back away from the Seeker.
"Put that staff down, my boy" Zedd heatedly commanded, raising a cautious hand to him as he made his way to Richard. "You have no idea the danger you are in by holding that."
Dazed, Richard slowly stood to his feet, his hand to the back of his head. He could already feel a lump forming. Focusing his blurry vision, Richard saw Brey standing in front of Kahlan, a long ornate stick in his hand.
"Don't tell me what to do!" he hissed. Brey's eyes gradually began to glow the same scarlet red as the viper's, fury and his own magic quickly combining with the powerful magic of the staff that he clutched fiercely in his hands.
"You don't understand! That staff holds very powerful magic. It fuses with the owner's magic, magnifying his own powers exponentially!" Zedd warned, his eyes growing wide with concern. While finding the Sparrow's Eyes would have been a catastrophe, Brey finding the Ta'all Ruk'tan was almost as cataclysmic.
"Good! If I can't have the power of the Sparrow's Eye than I will take the power that this can provide me!" Brey growled as he moved even closer to Kahlan.
Richard's head snapped to the side, his heart pounding frantically again as he stared at his grandfather. "Zedd, do something! Blast him with Wizard's fire before he kills her," Richard angrily pleaded under his breath to the Wizard. This had gone on for far too long. He wanted this over with now before he lost Kahlan forever.
"I can't. Kahlan is too close to him. I'll kill her," Zedd muttered, his mind racing for options. He could see the staff's red eyes glowing brightly, alerting him to the fact that the magic of the staff was already infusing with the magic of the Bender.
Brey suddenly raised the staff high over his head. He was not completely sure what he was capable of doing with the staff, but he could definitely feel its magic charging his body with immense power.
Kahlan glanced at Richard, their eyes connecting in a look that spoke volumes without words. She momentarily broke the connection as she stared up at Brey, wielding the staff in the air like he had just conquered the Midlands. Her eyes met Richard's once again and in that instant, Richard knew exactly what she was about to do.
"Kahlan, no," he whispered, his voice suddenly vanishing as he shook his head in protest. His eyes grew wide in horror with the realization that suddenly swept over him. "Don't!" he pleaded. He felt as if someone had just sucked all the oxygen from his lungs.
"I love you," she mouthed, giving him her special smile as she inched closer to the Bender.
Richard knew he would never be able to live if he lost Kahlan. In that instant, he committed himself to dying with her than having to experience the agonizing existence of living without her. Rushing headlong for the Bender, Richard felt a calming center in the midst of the turmoil that churned in his soul, knowing they would be united in the Underworld if this killed them both.
Seeing the Seeker rushing towards him, Brey's anger intensified, his eyes glowing as crimson as the staff's. In that moment, Brey and the magical staff had become one.
Kahlan reached him before Richard was even able to make it half way. Lunging for him, Kahlan grabbed hold of his arm with her good hand, desperate to keep Richard from being harmed any further. Just as Kahlan's fingers wrapped around his forearm, the magic of the staff exploded in a blazing splash of bright white light. The force of the explosion sent Richard flying backwards, causing him to crash hard on the stone floor.
Both Zedd and Richard partially covered their eyes from the intensity of the light, desperately searching for Kahlan in the midst of the bright glow that had enveloped the crypt. Richard jumped to his feet, his hand shielding his eyes as he forced himself against the brilliance of light.
"KAHLAN!" Richard screamed, panic swallowing him whole.
Suddenly, the light faded to nothingness, leaving the crypt bathed only in the light of the surrounding torches. Richard and Zedd scanned the room to find themselves standing alone and the staff lying scattered in fractured pieces on the stone floor.