Chapter 2

The first thing Rachel saw was the face of a woman with deep blue eyes. She didn't realize where she was, which is why Rachel immediately tried to get up, only to be pushed gently back to the ground by the woman.

'Who are you?' Rachel asked after finding her voice.

The woman smiled at her, and then someone else moved into her view; Rachel froze for a few seconds when she looked into the man's eyes. They were brown… She tried to remember where she had seen those eyes before, but she didn't have much time to do so, as the woman started talking to her: 'It's alright. You are safe here. The banelings are gone.'

Hearing this, Rachel's eyes widened as the memories of the last days came crushing down on her; and now she became aware that the man was the Seeker, Richard Cypher and the woman sitting next to her had to be Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor.

A single tear ran down her face; both because Rachel was relieved that she had found the people she had looked for but also because she was exhausted. She felt the woman's hand holding hers, and it gave her a little comfort.

'Who are you? And why did you come to us?' the Seeker asked, his dark eyes finding Rachel's.

She didn't know why, but this made her heart beat faster.

Rachel sat up after assuring the Confessor that she was able to. She started telling them everything that had happened since she had left her home and why she had been sent to find the Seeker.

There was only one thing she didn't talk about: her nightmares after she was shot. She didn't want to think about it, and although it seemed that for the moment she was safe, Rachel felt this was something she didn't want to share with people that were still strangers to her.

'So, how did you find me?' Rachel asked them. Kahlan answered: 'We heard you scream and then the Banelings attacked us. After we killed them, Richard went over to examine the corpses. He saw what they were, and also that you were lying a few paces away. The arrow that hit you was poisoned, so Zedd used a curing spell to help you.' 'Kahlan didn't leave your side until you finally slept,' Richard added, 'but I fear we won't have much time to stay here. Can you walk?'

Rachel tried to get up, but as she did so black and white dots blurred her vision and she swayed, feeling dizzy. Richard caught her just in time to prevent Rachel from falling. As his arms closed around her, she felt a warmth she had never felt before, but she pushed the feeling away immediately.

Rachel took a step back, out of his arms, not wanting to show her weakness, but at the same time reluctant to leave this man's embrace: 'It's okay. I was just a little dizzy. I can walk.'

Kahlan looked worried: 'Are you sure? We could stay here a while longer.'

'No, please, I don't want to cause any more trouble. Besides, I am feeling much better already.' Rachel tried to smile, although she knew the Confessor could see she wasn't quite honest.

Kahlan opened her mouth to protest as a voice behind her said: 'Well, it looks like we have a new party member. What's your name?'

A man had stepped behind Kahlan and Richard. He would have looked like an ordinary old man if he hadn't been wearing a magicians robe. 'Rachel; it is an honour to meet you' the woman answered a little intimidated when she realized this was the First Wizard Zorrander. The three looked at each other smiling when they heard Rachel's name. Rachel herself had a puzzled look on her face, which caused Kahlan to explain what had made them smile: 'We met a little girl once that was held prisoner in the castle of the Queen of Tamarang. She helped Zedd to steal the third Box of Orden. Her name was Rachel.'

'So, now that you have finished your fireside tales, could we leave? We shouldn't give the Banelings another chance to attack us by night.' Rachel turned around to face the woman that had said this. Seeing her red leather suit made clear to her that this was the Mord'Sith that helped the Seeker defeat Darken Rahl.

'Rachel, this is Cara. She is the one who helped Richard complete his quest.' Kahlan introduced, trying to hide the tension in her voice. She clearly felt unsure how Rachel would react to a Mord'Sith.

Rachel, seeing the look in the Mord'Sith's eyes, decided it was best not to try and shake her hand. Her reaction did not go unnoticed and made a small grin appear on Richard's and Kahlan's faces. 'Well, Cara is right. We should get going.' Richard said. The group took up their bags and together with Rachel left their camp.

XXX

'Where are we going now?' Rachel asked Kahlan after a few hours in which the group had walked in silence through the woods, each of them following their own thoughts.

'We are following the compass we found in a grave in Pamorah. In the hands of the Seeker it will show us the way to the Stone of Tears.' Kahlan answered.

After another hour or so, Richard, who had been walking in front of them, said: 'I think we should stop here for a quick meal. I don't know about you, but I'm starving as we didn't get a chance for breakfast this morning.' This brought him an appreciative smile from Zedd as the group walked over to a near glade. Zedd sat on a log next to Richard and Cara decided to scout the area in order to make sure there were no enemies around. Kahlan was busy unpacking some food they had bought in the last town, so Rachel sat next to Richard. He was watching the Confessor with a soft look in his eyes and didn't speak for quite a while. 'He always does that. You'd better get used to it.' Cara had returned from her exploration and approached Rachel and the others. Zedd smiled and Rachel, who had immediately stiffened at the sound of a voice from behind her, relaxed again.

As Rachel saw the Sword of Truth leaning against the log they were sitting on, the realization of her being weaponless hit her like a lightning bolt. 'Oh no!' she said aloud.

'What is it, Rachel?' Zedd asked her.

'I just realized I left my sword in the cave I hid in before I found you last night. I don't have any weapons with me.'

'Nothing to worry about, dear. If I remember correctly, there is a village just behind this forest. We would have to stop there either way to pick some provisions so you might as well visit a blacksmith.'

Rachel nodded thankfully: 'I just don't feel safe without something to defend myself with.'

Kahlan had apparently overheard the conversation. She got up and took out one of her daggers that were hidden in her boots: 'Take this until then.' Rachel shook her head at first and tried to protest: 'No, I can't. You are much more important …' But seeing the determined look in Kahlan's face, she had to realize the Confessor wouldn't accept a 'No', so Rachel gave up and took the dagger. 'Thank you… I only wish I wouldn't be such a burden to you. Hopefully I'll get a chance to repay you.'

'It's alright, Rachel.' Richard smiled, laying a hand on Rachel's arm, hoping to comfort her. As she felt his hand on her arm and looked into these beautiful, gentle eyes, she couldn't help but smile back. Kahlan, who hadn't seen this silent exchange, handed each of them some fruits and a piece of bread before sitting down next to Rachel. The group ate in silence and when they had finished, they left again quickly.

Rachel felt a lot better after having eaten something for the first time in two days. She walked beside Cara for a while, avoiding to get too close to Richard. She wasn't quite sure why she felt so strange every time he looked at her.

Kahlan, Zedd and Richard were walking just a few paces ahead, so Cara's voice was barely more than a whisper: 'Whatever it is you thought you were doing before when looking at the Seeker like this, be aware that the Mother Confessor is not the type of person you want to mess with.' Rachel almost stopped short, thinking she had misunderstood the Mord'Sith's words, but the look in Cara's eyes made it quite clear that she had meant exactly what she had said.

Rachel, feeling suddenly very uncomfortable, rushed off to walk next to the others. Kahlan looked at Rachel and raised an eyebrow: 'Something wrong?' Rachel, being well aware of the Confessor's ability to sense lies, looked away into the forest and answered, a little too fast: 'No, it's alright.' Kahlan and Richard exchanged meaningful glances.

'If Cara is trying to scare Rachel away, I will have to talk to her. We have to be grateful for every help we can get.' Richard whispered, so that only Kahlan could hear him.

A/N:

Hey guys,

I was so happy to see I have my first follower :) I hope I will be able to keep up to your expectations :)

Not much to say anymore, but I can promise you there are some interesting chapters coming up. They weren't as easy to write as the first few, but I think they are better ;)

Hoping for reviews as always,

Alex