Chapter 15

She saw it coming, but it seemed as if time had slowed down: the silver dacra was flying towards Richard, but she couldn't warn him; the Sister he was currently fighting would stab him in a heartbeat if he turned around. Images of her visions overlapped her sight as Rachel ran forward to stop the dacra from killing Richard. As she turned to look at the silver weapon making its way towards her, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her left side; her vision blurred as she dropped to her knees.

Richard only heard her scream behind him and spun around as soon as he had killed the Sister that had attacked him.

'Rachel, no!' His scream echoed over the clearing when he saw Rachel on her knees. He hurried to reach her. The dacra had cut across her side, a few inches over her waist, leaving a long, strongly bleeding gash. The Sister who had thrown the dacra was quickly taken down by Cara, who had heard his cry.

The pain that shot through her was almost unbearable and Rachel, panting heavily, collapsed in Richard's arms the moment he put them around her. Richard's expression was full of shock at seeing her in so much pain and for a moment he forgot that the fight was still going on around them. Zedd's cry brought him back to his senses just in time to turn around and block another flying dacra with his sword. Their opponent was blown off her feet by Zedd's magic.

'Zedd, you have to help her!' Richard's voice was full of fear, but his grandfather was by their side in an instant. 'Go! I will look after her.' Zedd's voice sounded distant in his ears, but Richard knew he had to fight if there was supposed to be any chance of saving Rachel. Although his vision was blurred, he was wielding the sword with deadly precision, taking down the Sisters of the Dark easily, one after another. As soon as the last one fell, he hurried back to Rachel. She was lying on the ground, her eyes closed, struggling to breathe. Zedd was kneeling next to her; with his hand on her brow he was muttering incantations.

Cara was standing a few paces away, next to Kahlan who was sitting on the ground. In her face Richard saw a mixture of fear, sadness and slowly fading hope. Then he saw that Rachel's wound was still bleeding.

'Why haven't you healed her?' he snapped at his grandfather. Zedd furrowed his brow before answering hesitantly: 'I was able to take the pain away but…'

'But what?' Richard asked anxiously.

Zedd sighed deeply: 'I am sorry, Richard. It must be because of the poison that is still in her body… I can't heal her. I fear not even the Breath of Life will work.'

XXX

It only took this few words to render him speechless. Although Zedd wouldn't say anymore, they all saw that this wound would be deadly. 'Richard…' He heard Kahlan's voice, calling his name, trying to comfort him… he felt her hand searching his, but Richard backed away. He fell on his knees and grabbed Rachel's hand as if he could heal her just by holding her. Tears began to run down his face as he called her name, his eyes fixed on her pale face. He just couldn't believe what had happened to her after everything she had already had to go through.

Kahlan was kneeling next to Zedd now, helping him to dress the wound as tightly as possible in order to stop the bleeding. She did her best to hide her emotions as she looked down at the unconscious woman. Kahlan had been angry at Rachel for a time, but she had become a good friend, someone she could talk to without having to hide what she felt. Seeing Rachel lying here, Kahlan pitied her for her fate.

Kahlan swallowed the lump in her throat: 'Richard, we have to get to the next village. We can't stay out here any longer.' Her shaking voice reached his ears, but it took him a few moments to realize what he had to do.

When Kahlan's words finally got through, Richard carefully took Rachel in his arms and followed Zedd, who was quickly leading the way.

The hour they needed to reach the next village seemed to Richard like one of the longest he had ever lived through. Every now and then, Rachel would stir in his arms and he lowered his gaze to look into her eyes, silently telling her she was safe. His eyes didn't leave her face until she lost consciousness again.

The group walked in complete silence.

XXX

When they finally entered the nearest inn, Richard immediately went upstairs with Rachel in his arms. Ignoring the suspicious glances of the other guests, he left the task of explaining and renting a room to the others. Richard chose the next free room he could find and gently lowered the still unconscious woman on the bed. Seeing how pale her face had become, he instinctively looked down to where the wound was. The moment he did, his expression was filled with pain and fear again: the bandages were soaked with blood; the bleeding had obviously become worse from travelling.

'Richard, how is she?' Kahlan's voice coming from the door made him spin around and he let out a breath when he recognized her.

Richard swallowed the lump in his throat and whispered: 'Worse than before. The travelling …' He trailed off into silence and the pain in his eyes made Kahlan feel even more terrible. She couldn't bear to see him in such pain.

At that moment Rachel stirred and Richard grabbed her hand again in an instant. Kahlan frowned at the sight of Richard ignoring her completely. She knew why he was fixed on Rachel, and understood his need to help her. Usually, her reason had always been able to suppress hatred or sadness, be it just or unjust; it was part of being a Confessor, a part of her duty. Still, Kahlan found that with Richard, this never seemed to be the case.

'I will get Zedd to bring some new bandages.' Her voice was thick with emotions, which caused Richard to turn and look at her.

'Kahlan…' he began in an apologetic tone, but she shook her head. Seeing him worry about Rachel, she had come to realize what Richard was doing at the moment was not about love, or at least not about the same kind he felt for her. Since the day they first met, protecting people had been the most important thing to him. He was doing nothing else right now.

Looking at it like this gave her the chance to convince him she was alright: 'Don't worry. If you need anything, I am here.' Normally, Richard would have objected and wanted to help her, but the finality in her voice told him she meant what she said. He was grateful for her understanding and nodded before watching her leave and turning his attention back to Rachel.

Richard gently stroked her forehead as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

He opened his mouth; he wanted to say something, anything to comfort her, but Rachel spoke first, her voice barely more than a whisper: 'You don't have to lie to me. I know it … that I will die.'

With tears in his eyes Richard shook his head: 'No, no, you will survive.'

'Richard,' she whispered, 'I heard what Zedd said.'

Unable to speak, Richard grabbed both of her hands. Rachel closed her eyes for a moment before she continued: 'I… I am glad I could help you. Just… stay with me, please?' Richard couldn't look in her eyes, so he fixed his gaze on their entwined fingers. Tears were still rolling down his cheeks as he answered: 'Always.'

Rachel swallowed and nodded slowly. Her eyes were about to fall close again as a familiar pain starting at her shoulder shot through her. Rachel would have screamed but she was too weak to do so; instead she gasped for air. His voice sounded far too loud in her head, although he was almost whispering: 'What is it? Should I call Zedd?'

'No, it's just my shoulder again.' She answered slowly, but before she could say any more another wave of pain shot through her. Rachel felt Richard's hands grabbing hers even tighter. As soon as the pain was gone, exhaustion took over. Just before Rachel lost consciousness again she heard his voice whispering to her: 'It's alright. I am here.'

XXX

The next time she awoke it was almost completely dark in the room. Not realizing where she was immediately, panic shot through her. Rachel tried to sit up, but felt two strong hands holding her down. 'Rachel' Richard's soft voice brought back her memories and she relaxed at his touch.

'How long?' she asked, trying to make out his face in the twilight. She could hear his voice slightly trembling as he answered: 'A few hours. It's almost midnight.' Rachel could make out fear in his voice; he had been afraid she wouldn't wake up again… She wanted to say something, but her throat was too dry. As Rachel turned her head she saw a steaming cup standing on the bedside table. Richard recognized her look: 'Are you thirsty?' Rachel nodded.

He put his arms around Rachel and helped her into a sitting position. She ignored the sharp pain that shot through her and focused on his touch, as he quickly readjusted the cushions under her head so she could sit up straight. Then he took the cup and turned it in his hands to test the temperature before bringing it to her lips. Rachel reached for the cup, laying her hands on his and took a small sip. The tea warmed her insides, and Rachel took another mouthful of the hot liquid a few moments later.

When the cup was almost empty, she closed her eyes again. Richard could see a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Seeing this he couldn't help but smile too.

'What?' he asked, chuckling slightly despite the situation they were in.

Rachel exhaled: 'Well, I went out to protect you and here you are taking care of me like I was some old woman…' Rachel didn't get the chance to finish her sentence: she suddenly felt his warm breath on her face as he interrupted her: 'I love you.'

Rachel knew how he had meant it; she knew he would never mean it in the way he would say these words to Kahlan and she wouldn't have wanted it any other way. He had said it to comfort her, to tell her he cared for her and it was enough to help her.

He lightly kissed her forehead. Richard felt the desperate urge to show her how much she meant to him. There was so much joy in life that she had never seen, and now the sadness grabbed him again as he moved away from her, realizing she would never get to live the life she deserved. 'You saved me…' he began, but Rachel interrupted him, a content smile on her lips: 'No, Richard. It was you who saved me. You showed me a way out when I couldn't find it by myself. I can't thank you enough.'

He had to smile although tears were still in his eyes. They just stayed like this for a long while; Richard holding her hands, and Rachel looking into these brown eyes she loved so much. After a time her eyes fluttered close again, and in the silence that followed Richard heard Cara's light footsteps outside the door, but he just couldn't tear his gaze away from Rachel's face. Just as he reached out to stroke her cheek the door behind him opened and he turned around reluctantly, getting up from his chair. He threw a questioning look at the Mord'Sith.

'Zedd sent me to look after her;' Cara nodded towards Rachel before continuing, 'He said you should get some sleep.'

Richard only shook his head: 'I am not tired.' Cara raised an eyebrow: 'I told the Wizard you would say that, but he insisted on sending me. Look, you can lie down over there and I will wake you when she wakes up again.'

Richard was still reluctant to leave Rachel's side, but he knew it would be no good starting to argue with Cara, or Zedd. He went over to the bed on the other side of the room and lay down not even bothering to take off his boots. Cara sat down on the chair next to Rachel's bed.

Sleep took him quickly as he still had his gaze fixed on Rachel.

Cara sat there for a long time; after a while she looked sideways over her shoulder to see Richard fast asleep.

When her gaze returned to Rachel the words just came out of her mouth before Cara could think about it:

'I… I am sorry for treating you like I did. I should have accepted your feelings as well as his sooner…' Cara trailed off into silence, looking down at Rachel who had her eyes still closed. Why did I say this? Cara asked herself, but she quickly realized Rachel had become a friend to her, and as strange as it sounded, she didn't want her to die before having apologized for her behaviour.

The Mord'Sith nearly jumped when she saw Rachel opening her eyes, a smile on her face that had nothing to do with being content that the other woman had apologized. 'I think of you as a friend, too, Cara. Thank you.' Rachel whispered in a husky voice. Cara allowed herself a small, genuine smile before tilting her head towards Richard: 'Should I wake him?' 'No, it's alright. I am feeling a little better. I am just… tired…' Rachel's eyes closed again.

XXX

It was in an hour, when the night was darkest and Kahlan had taken Cara's place at Rachel's side, that Richard woke with a start. A growing feeling of uneasiness had woken him, and it seemed strangely familiar, although he couldn't quite place it. Richard glanced over at Kahlan.

When she heard him stir she turned her head and gave him a tired smile, telling him everything was alright. Richard got up anyway, but the moment he was on his feet his eyes darted towards the darker corner of the room. A dark figure was standing there and Richard instinctively drew his sword which he had picked off the floor next to his bed. Kahlan jumped up, drawing her daggers instantly, her eyes fixed on the figure. 'Who are you? Show yourself.' Richard growled, pointing the sword towards the intruder.

The figure stepped forward and a ray of moonlight illuminated her features. Richard heard Kahlan inhaling sharply as he raised his voice, speaking in a threatening tone: 'Shota.'

The witch woman stood there, a small smile on her face, and took a few moments before answering: 'It's good to see you well and alive, Seeker.'

'What do you want?' Richard's voice displayed his impatience, while he still held his sword pointed towards Shota.

She didn't respond and glanced at the still sleeping Rachel instead. 'She saved your live, didn't she?'

Richard felt anger rising inside of him, but he forced his voice to stay calm when he asked: 'How do you know that?'

Shota turned to look him in the eyes and answered: 'If I were you, I wouldn't threaten the people who saved your life. So put down your sword.'

Richard growled: 'Explain yourself before I loose my patience. If I remember rightly, it was Rachel who saved my life, not you.'

Shota gave him another smile: 'You disappoint me, Seeker. I would have thought you could figure it out yourself. You can thank me for being alive, because I sent her', she pointed at Rachel, 'the visions of your death. It was the only way to change the future. I saw your death, but also that a young woman would cross your path, and that she would do anything to protect you. So, I sent her the visions to make her step into the way and take the dacra that would have killed you.'

Richard barely saw Kahlan's body tense as he gritted his teeth and took a step towards Shota, bringing the point of his sword dangerously close to her throat. As much as he hated it, everything made sense: Rachel's nightmares, the banelings chasing her even though she had been only one woman, the Keeper giving his minions the time they needed to catch her…

The pain in his voice was as evident as if the witch had made him suffer through the horrible visions Rachel had had when he hissed: 'You. How dare you do that? Haven't you realized how much pain you already caused us? It was your prophecy that made Kahlan leave me, and in turn Denna caught and tortured me up to the point were I almost killed the woman I love most. And now you saw to it that Rachel protected me, and let her die in my stead? Do you even care about what she went through?'

The tip of Richard's sword was now pressed against Shota's neck, and drops of blood were trickling down her skin as he stood with his face mere inches from hers.

The smile on Shota's face was gone, but she still spoke with a certain confidence when she answered: 'Time to be honest with yourself, Seeker. Where would you be now if it weren't for me? You would probably have died in Kelabra months ago. As for the Prophecy about the Confessor betraying you… I already told you: something that is written in the Halls of Prophecy cannot be averted.

And now you are alive because of this girl. I will only ask once, and I think you know the true answer to this question: If you are to choose between the life of a young woman or the life of a man who has already saved the world once – and is trying with all his might to do so again, even if only by protecting the Mother Confessor -; which one is to be saved?'

The witch's eyes darted towards Kahlan while she spoke, and for a moment Kahlan felt almost thankful for Shota having saved Richard, but then she looked down at Rachel, her face pale and her eyes closed, she felt anger rising inside of her chest; anger and hatred towards everything that had caused all of them to fall into so much misery. 'And who are you to decide who is to live and who is to die?' she hissed, and for a moment, her eyes swirled with black. Richard turned to look at Kahlan, and knew immediately what was to come.

'Kahlan…' he struggled to keep his voice calm as he called her name, trying to stop her from getting into the Con Dar. Kahlan looked at him and for a few long moments he thought he couldn't get through to her, but then her eyes turned back to their normal blue. She let out a gasp as she gazed at the corner where Shota had stood moments before.

The witch had taken the distraction as a chance to escape and vanished as silently as she had come while Richard had not been looking.

He let out a frustrated sigh before approaching Kahlan. Richard took her hand in his and whispered: 'Thank you.' She smiled sadly and shook her head: 'You know as well as I do that what Shota did was wrong. No one should judge over the worth of a live, no matter how much the person means to us.' A single tear ran down her cheek, and Richard embraced her. He felt he could only guess the storm that was going on inside her heart: she had just realized how close the only man she ever loved had come to death, but instead of being relieved he had survived, she grieved for Rachel, who had become a real friend to her.

After a while, Richard whispered softly into her ear: 'Maybe you should get some sleep.' Kahlan nodded, and made her way to the bed, feeling more tired than ever.

Richard watched her lie down and fall asleep before sitting down next to Rachel, taking her cold hand in his again and waiting for her to wake up, or for the morning to come… he didn't know himself.

XXX

The first thing that reached her ears was the faint song of some birds outside the window. Rachel half-opened her eyes. Kahlan was sitting by her side; she looked tired but smiled a little nonetheless when she saw Rachel awake.

From the lighting in the room Rachel guessed it might only be an hour before dawn. She gritted her teeth as a new wave of pain from her shoulder shot through her.

'What is it?' Kahlan sounded almost more worried than Richard had.

From the corner of her eye Rachel could see him standing at the window, looking out. At the sound of Kahlan's voice he turned around and, seeing that she was in pain, immediately was by Rachel's side. 'Your shoulder again?' he asked with concern in his voice. Rachel only nodded.

As Kahlan took a step back and went over to the window Rachel whispered: 'Can I talk to you? Alone?'

Richard raised an eyebrow, but addressed the Confessor: 'Kahlan, I will stay with Rachel. You must be tired…' 'You are right.' She nodded knowingly, and left the room after taking Rachel's hand in hers for a moment. As soon as the door closed behind her, Rachel took his hand.

Richard's heart jumped when he felt how cold her hand was. 'Your hand… I will get a warmer blanket…' he said, but Rachel interrupted him softly: 'Richard… It's alright. There is something I need to tell you before…' she swallowed, but didn't finish the sentence.

Instead, Rachel went on: 'I have been thinking about this for a few days now and I am sure it's true… I love you, and I always did, but… you two are meant for each other; I know it. Our love is… different. I don't know how to say it, but I am sure you know what I mean. I am so grateful for everything you did. And I love you with all my heart; but she loves you more, and I think you know that you do, too.'

Richard almost couldn't speak anymore when he realized that deep inside, he had known it, too. He had realized the difference between his love for Rachel and Kahlan. Rachel was like a sister to him, and he loved her, but Kahlan would always hold his heart. He wished he had found the truth sooner: 'Rachel… I am sorry… this is all my fault.'

'Don't be. I don't blame you; I just wanted you to know I think that Kahlan is the right one. And I am sure you will find a way to be together.'

Overwhelmed, Richard bent down to kiss her, his tears mingling with hers; it wasn't a lovers' kiss - although he tried to show her how much she meant to him - it was rather a ritual: a ritual to say goodbye. As they broke apart, Richard read a silent plea in her eyes: 'Stay with me.' She didn't need to say it aloud for him to understand it. Richard lay down on his side next to her, pulling Rachel into his protective embrace and they just stayed like that until the first rays of sunlight fell on their faces.

'Can you open the window? I would like a bit of fresh air.' she whispered into his ear after a while.

Richard slowly got up, careful not to hurt her while she shifted to lie on her back, and went over to the window to open it. Just as he did, a small sparrow landed on the windowsill, tilting its head towards Rachel. Richard looked down at the bird and was surprised: It was missing a claw. He smiled: 'Rachel, look.' He caught the sparrow in his hands, and - to his wonder - it didn't resist. Richard went over to Rachel, but the small bird escaped, flying out of the window, as his hands fell to his sides.

She was lying there, her eyes closed, the ghost of a smile on her face and as Richard took her hands in his he felt they were colder than before. 'No...' he said in barely more than a whisper, as an overwhelming feeling of helplessness came over him. Richard laid his trembling fingers on her wrist, hoping beyond hope to feel her pulse, but the seconds went by and he still felt nothing. Tears began to fall as he dropped to his knees, calling her name over and over, his voice broken.

He wanted to bury his face in his hands, but he just couldn't tear his gaze away from her. Richard just sat there, trying to comprehend what had happened, but he felt his heart refuse to accept what his mind told him: 'She's dead. There is nothing you can do.' He heard his mind whispering the words until he was unable to hear it anymore and cried out in pain, his hand gripping Rachel's even more tightly, not willing to let her go. After everything she had been through…

He heard a soft knock on the door. He didn't answer and his companions came in quietly; apparently they had heard his cries.

Kahlan placed a hand on his shoulder while tears were rolling down her cheeks. Zedd had dark rings under his eyes, grief written over his face and even Cara seemed to be truly sad.

Time seemed to stand still as they watched the sun rise higher into the sky through the window.

After a while – none of them could tell how long they had stood there in this room – Richard raised his voice, and Kahlan was shocked how hollow it sounded: 'We should bury her.' Then, slowly, he took Rachel's body in his arms and carried her outside. As they walked through the streets, Richard barely saw the villagers and his friends. He only looked down at Rachel as if she might wake at any moment; her face looked so peaceful that she could have been asleep.

Zedd and Cara had taken the lead, and behind Richard Kahlan walked in her white Confessor's dress. The villagers all turned their gaze towards them as they realized that the woman the Seeker was carrying was dead. Many bowed their heads to express their sympathy.

Once outside the town Richard led them towards a nearby hill. The outskirts of the forest they had come from reached its foot, so the hill was surrounded by trees. However, there were no trees growing on the top; only soft green grass. Richard gently lied down Rachel's body and sat next to her, her hands in his, while the others built a funeral pile.

XXX

'May the spirits light your way through the Land of the Shadow to the Halls of Eternal Peace.' Kahlan's shaking voice seemed to echo over the hill where no other noise could be heard as she walked up to the funeral pile and set it aflame with a torch. Richard had his gaze still fixed on Rachel's face, holding back the tears when Kahlan stepped back. As she stood next to him, she took his hand, but said nothing.

Richard was grateful for her presence.

Somewhere ahead in the trees, they could hear a lone sparrow chirping.

A/N:

Hey guys,

so, this was the last 'normal' chapter, but of course not the end of the story. There is still an epilogue coming up, so I'll save the 'Thank you's and everything that goes along with it for the A/N on the mentioned epilogue.

I don't know how often I revised this chapter, so I hope you enjoyed it,

Alex

to my guest reviewer: I am glad you liked the last chapter. Hope you will enjoy the epilogue :)

to STforRK: I know, I know, but I couldn't resist to put a cliffhanger in there ;) Besides, this new chapter is obviously one long sequence and there was no way to split it up and put the beginning of this at the end of Chapter 14; I just felt like this chapter here needed to be kept together :) I hope you liked this and looking forward to hear what you think of the epilogue :)