Richard didn't know where he was. He was faintly aware that Kahlan had stabbed him. He didn't feel any pain though. In fact, he felt as though he were free. He was wandering around a black expanse, terrain barely visible. It didn't matter, he wouldn't fall. Light plumes of green smoke arose from the lack of ground. It was the only light provided.
Realization hit him; he was lingering between life and death.
He heard faint voices in the background, Zedd and Cara's. Richard heard them panicking, trying to find ways to save him. He couldn't be saved. When the knife hit his flesh, he knew he was going to die. It seemed as if everything flashed before his eyes as he gazed into Kahlan's blue orbs. She panicked, tears welling in her eyes as she tried to figure out what to do. His sight went black before she did. He wondered if he fell on top of her. He probably did. He felt a pang of guilt for pressing all his dead weight on her.
Kahlan had gotten him to Zedd and Cara though. He knew he was beyond the help of Zedd's magic. Richard looked down at his skin, somehow visible through the darkness. The color was drained, blood barely pumping through his veins. Kahlan must be traumatized.
Richard pulled at his shirt, his hand becoming warm. It was soaked with the red liquid. He continued to tug at the shirt until he found what he was looking for.
The dagger Kahlan held to his throat was what injured him. The knife she held to his heart was released, Richard remembered seeing it on the ground beside her. The blade she held to his throat evaded his grasp, and slid down to the center of his torso. When Richard fully flipped her over, it sliced into his skin, only inches away from his heart.
He sighed as he let his shirt go, wondering how long he was going to wander aimlessly in this place between worlds. Richard turned around, focusing on the green plumes of smoke.
"Richard?" The voice startled him, and he jumped as he turned around.
Kahlan.