Happy 4th of July!

XXI. PREY

The wind whipped Richard's hair back from his forehead and made his eyes water. Here and there the snow was beginning to melt, but the morning air was not without a sharp chill to back the wind. He tightened his hold on his cloak and turned to where Kahlan walked beside him, her dark hair dancing wildly about and flying across her face. "I want to stop at that settlement," he said, tilting his head towards a smudge on the eastern horizon.

She raised an eyebrow and said, "It's not even midmorning. We don't need to stop so soon. I thought you wanted to make up for the time we lost in Ashkari."

"I want to see about buying some horses." He'd wanted horses a fortnight ago when they'd finally fought their way down from the icy slopes of the Rang'Shada Mountains, but this was the first settlement they'd seen since then.

"Horses? So we can go faster?" asked Kahlan, and he caught the hesitance in her voice. "Richard…"

"So you can be more comfortable," he assured her. He doubted she'd be able to ride much faster than she could walk at this point, but at least it would get her off her feet.

She sighed and twisted her hair into a long coil to keep it from the ravages of the wind. Her heavy cloak billowed around her. "I know I'm slowing you down. I'm sorry."

"It's all right," said Richard, and he meant it. Though he'd hated the delay in Ashkari, it didn't bother him at all to slow down for her. Kahlan seemed to grow bigger each day now, and though her cloak hid her shape at the moment, when she took it off, the dress Zedd had made for her accentuated how much she had changed. He still found her to be the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, but he knew she was constantly uncomfortable. Every night she had him pull her boots off for her to free her red and swollen feet, and her eyes brimmed with tears every morning when she forced her feet back into them. He squeezed her hand and said, "We'll go as slow as you need to go." He had never felt so protective of anyone in his life before.

She smiled at him like she was truly grateful. Before he could say more, the compass began to chirp and hum, and Richard pulled it from its place on his belt. The blue lights that spun around in his palm were now so familiar he barely noticed them, glancing down only once they had settled on a new bearing. "Changing directions?" asked Zedd as he came up beside them.

"Not by much." He glanced down at the compass again, and then back at the dismal stretch of melting snow before them. A twist of smoke rose from the village in the distance to join with the dingy sky. "Looks like the compass wants to make sure we don't skirt the settlement," he said as he clasped it shut and refastened it to his belt. Often since leaving Ashkari, he had the urge to heave the compass as far away from him as he could, and set off in the opposite direction just to feel like he was doing something. But there was no guarantee that that would help to find the Stone of Tears either, and so he kept going where the compass led. Zedd seemed to think it was the best plan.

The sun had climbed higher in the sky by the time they drew near to the settlement. Around it lay empty, snow burdened fields, and a few small cottages dotted the horizon. The town itself was surrounded by a towering wooden wall; the road leading up to it unusually empty for midday. They did not see a single soul as they approached, and after walking down the barren road for some time, Cara rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me," she said in an exasperated voice. "Another abandoned city?"

"I don't think so," said Richard. "There's smoke ahead." The faint wisp of smoke he'd seen before was now a thick plume rising steadily from somewhere inside the settlement. Up close, the wall was not impressive. Many of the wooden planks looked weak, and it appeared to have been hastily repaired in quite a few places. But when they reached the gate, they found it barred.

"Well this is odd," said Zedd, voicing Richard's thoughts for him. The old wizard frowned up at the gate and rapped on it with his knuckles. "Hello!" he called.

A wooden flap swung open high above them, and a man's face stuck out, scowling at them with a particularly unfriendly expression. "What do you want?" he shouted.

Richard hesitated a moment, but decided it couldn't hurt to try. The sooner he could get Kahlan off her feet, the better. "We hoped to buy some horses," he called.

"Sorry. No outsiders," said the man in a tone that suggested he wasn't the least bit sorry.

Kahlan looked up in astonishment and said, "No outsiders?"

"You heard right, lady," he growled, and was about to shut the flap again when Cara interrupted, her eyes flashing with a dangerous light.

"Show some respect to the Mother Confessor," she said, brandishing an Agiel at the man. Somehow it seemed no less a threat for the distance between them.

He paled at her words and cast a second glance at Kahlan. "You're the Mother Confessor?"

Kahlan gave a slight nod. "I assure you I am." Her voice was as calm and commanding as a waveless sea, and she seemed suddenly very tall before the gate.

"And this is the Seeker and the First Wizard," continued Cara. Richard felt a surge of relief that she didn't go her usual route and announce him as Lord Rahl. He doubted it would have helped gain them entry.

The man snorted. "And who are you? The princess of Thrice?"

Cara's lips curled back into a deadly smile. "I'm Cara."

The man hesitated and looked back at Richard. "You really the Seeker?"

He hoisted the sword. "Yes."

The man frowned down at the four of them. Without warning, he disappeared from the flap, leaving it to bang shut on its own. Richard shifted his weight from foot to foot and glanced over at Kahlan. She looked as puzzled as he felt. A moment later, the man reappeared above them, calling, "We'll give you four horses, but you can't come through. That's the rules." The flap slammed shut again before they could get in any reply.

Richard adjusted his grip on the Sword of Truth, checking that it sat free in its scabbard. He scanned the perimeter of the settlement for any sign of danger, but all was barren around them. "No town has ever had their gates shut like this before," he said quietly.

Cara eyed the offending wall with a look of distaste. "They're afraid," she said. "I could smell the fear on him."

Kahlan nodded. "It's against the law for them to refuse me entry. Something must have frightened them terribly, or they would not risk it. In the past, officials have been confessed for as much as they have already done." The realization snuck up on Richard, as it often did, that he was standing beside the most important person in the Midlands. So often she was just Kahlan to him, but strangers bowed to her.

The wooden gate let out a groan and began to swing open partway. The man from above appeared alongside another skinnier fellow, and together they led four horses out through the narrow opening. Though the horses remained calm, the two men were as skittish as mice. Richard could see a meager crowd of men young and old standing at the ready just inside the gate, a mismatched collection of hatchets, pitchforks and belt knives to hand.

"The horses, Mother Confessor," said the man who'd first greeted them. He dropped a hasty bow and looked about ready to scamper back inside when she spoke.

"Wait, we'll of course pay you for them." He stopped short and stood fidgeting with a loose thread on his tunic while Zedd dug into his pouch for the coins. Kahlan continued, her voice calm and imperious, "Are you aware that it is considered a crime against the Midlands and an admission of guilt to bar any place to the Mother Confessor?" The man shifted uncomfortably, staring at the ground. "It's not my intention to force my way into your town today, I have much more important business, but I must ask what has caused this stance. Has something happened here?"

"Banelings," he muttered in a dark voice. His silent companion nodded.

"Banelings?" The horse standing next to her tossed its head with a loud whinny, and Kahlan reached up, taking hold of the bridle to steady it. Her cloak fell open on either side, revealing her swollen belly, and the two men gaped at it as obviously as if she'd been naked beneath her cloak. Richard took a step closer to her, tightening his grip on the sword.

The thinner man finally broke his silence, whacking the other in the head as he said, "The Mother Confessor is with child? Why didn't you say so, Kurt, you old fool!"

Kurt's ruddy cheeks reddened further. "I didn't know she was with child! She didn't say."

"Well, let them in!" snapped his companion. He shouted to someone on the inside, "She's with child! Open the gate!"

Kahlan leaned closer to Richard and spoke in a hushed voice, "What does my being with child have to do with anything?" He only shook his head. He had no idea what caused the men to act so strangely. They didn't seem to be a threat though, acting far more fearful than hostile. Though they were outnumbered, he could already tell that these were simple villagers and farmers, poor fighters all of them. And the compass had led them here, which made it all they had to go on for now.

Still, Richard kept his hand to his sword and put himself between Kahlan and the villagers as they stepped through the gate. The assembled men all fell back, wearing looks of wild terror though they were the ones with raised weapons.

His attention was caught by three funeral pyres burning in the center of the town square, and what looked to be the remaining inhabitants of the village gathered round the pyres, some of them weeping openly. The flames leapt and crackled, filling the air with the strong smell of burning wood. Behind them, the gate slammed shut and men rushed to barricade it from the inside.

Though Richard wanted to keep her safely behind him, Kahlan stepped forward and seemed to nearly glide towards the poorly armed men. They shrunk back until they stood pressed against the wall. He knew he was seeing her in the guise of the Mother Confessor; the placid yet charged expression she wore nothing like the sweet, sunlit smile she gave him when she was just Kahlan. Now she looked beautiful and regal as a queen, her dark hair flowing down her back and her cloak hanging open around her belly. She rested a hand on it and turned towards the man named Kurt.

"I will speak with the leader of this village now," she said. He could tell by the tone of her voice that it wasn't a request, but an order. Kurt realized it as well because he bowed and retreated, promising to fetch the Magistrate right away. The people gathered nearby tried and failed to look like they weren't staring at Kahlan's belly. It was as if they'd never seen a woman with child before. Richard moved closer to her, glowering at the villagers, and they went back to studying the ground.

The Magistrate emerged from the crowd a moment later, hurrying towards them, huffing and puffing a little as he went. He was a short, graying man with a scraggly beard and small, bright eyes. Though a brocade vest hung open beneath his cloak, the rest of his clothes were simple and homespun. This was not a rich or powerful settlement, and the Magistrate appeared to be no exception. He fell into a deep bow the moment he saw Kahlan's face. "Forgive me, Mother Confessor. I recognize you from Aydindril. Had I known, I would have invited you in at once."

Kahlan raised an eyebrow. "I stated who I am. The Mother Confessor is not in the habit of lying to her people. As Magistrate, you know it is a crime punishable by confession to close your doors to me for any reason." The Magistrate tumbled into another bow as if he did not know what else to do, and Kahlan's tone finally softened. She gestured towards the funeral pyres. "Has something happened to cause you to flout this law?"

"Forgive me, Mother Confessor," he said again. "We closed our gate because of the banelings."

"Your village is not the only place to suffer from baneling attacks, yet no other has refused us entry."

"It has become quite common, I believe, Mother Confessor." The Magistrate twined the ragged ends of his beard around a nervous finger as he spoke, "I was advised by the council at Pembroke – our neighbors to the north – to take such precautions, but I did not believe it necessary. As you can see, my people have paid the price for my foolishness," he gestured towards the pyres. "They were murdered by a baneling horde just yesterday."

"I'm so sorry," said Kahlan. She hesitated and then continued on in a lowered voice. "Your men refused us entry, but changed their minds when they saw that I am with child. Was this on your orders?" An image of young Marla came unbidden to Richard's mind, her pregnant body ruined beyond all hope of resurrection.

The Magistrate shook his head. "It was they who decided it was best, but I would've said the same had I been there. Once they saw your condition, they realized neither you nor any of your companions could be banelings."

"But why would you assume that if you did not before?" said Kahlan, and the Magistrate looked at her in astonishment, as if she'd asked how he could be certain it was day and not night.

Richard took a step forward, "The banelings have been killing women who are with child, haven't they?"

Kahlan turned towards him, and though her face remained calm, he could see the swell of grief in her eyes. "Like Marla," she whispered.

The Magistrate looked relieved that someone else had spoken up and nodded several times. "It is as you say, Seeker. I must confess I'm surprised this is the first you've heard of it," he said quietly. "Baneling hordes have been sweeping the countryside all winter, murdering women with child. We'd thought we were prepared. I had guards check on our expectant mothers every day, but we are not a fighting people, and we were overwhelmed by them yesterday morning."

He shuddered and smoothed a hand down his vest. "Near two dozen of them swarmed our village. They slaughtered three women in the most brutal manner." His beady eyes watered as he recounted their deaths, "We killed several of them, but it did not matter – the banelings were unrelenting in reaching their goal. It seemed irrelevant to them how many died in the process. Only Lucinda escaped as her condition is not yet obvious." He gestured towards a young woman in the crowd, his voice shaking, "We are now doing all we can to ensure they do not come back and murder her too."

Kahlan laid a gentle hand on his arm. "I understand your caution now," she said softly. "We were trapped in the mountains until recently and didn't know. I fear this is happening because of me."

The Magistrate looked confused. "Mother Confessor, what do you mean?"

She squared her shoulders. Richard knew the Magistrate could not begin to imagine the effort it took for her to keep her voice calm when she said, "The Keeper hunts my child. The banelings must be killing these women in the hopes that one might be me."

Zedd cleared his throat. "I think there's more to it than that. If the Keeper's only goal was your death, his energies could be much better spent in searching for you, than in terrorizing small villages." He paused, his wiry brows lowering over pale, stormy eyes, "This is a direct insult to the Creator. Nowhere in this world is her strength greater, her power more absolute than in the creation of new life. The Keeper means to send a message to the world of life with these attacks."

"Dear spirits, we have heard his message," whispered the Magistrate. Behind him, the funeral pyres burned higher, leaking black smoke into the bright day. He gestured weakly towards the barred gate, "As humble as our walls are, you and your companions are welcome to what protection they give. You will be in danger on the open road."

Kahlan shook her head. "No, I'm afraid we must be going. This news has only made our quest more urgent."

"Then at least let me get you better horses? I have a mare who is well broke in, calm as can be. You'll have an easier time riding her in your condition, Mother Confessor."

She thanked him for the kindness, and the Magistrate hurried away with his attendants to fetch the promised horses. When they were gone, Kahlan turned towards him. Richard saw the façade of the Mother Confessor fall and shatter like a sheet of glass, leaving her standing before him a terrified woman, clutching at the life in her womb like it was all she had in the world. "Richard," she said. "What do we do?"

He put an arm around her and drew her close because he had no answer. "We keep fighting," he said. But what echoed inside his head was the old woman's promise and Shota's prophecy – the Stone of Tears could not be found. He watched the bodies burn and held her closer still.

When the Magistrate returned, it was with new, finer horses. He refused to accept any increase in payment, claiming it was the least he could do to make up for the unintended slight to the Mother Confessor. They thanked him for his generosity – even Cara gave a slight tilt of her head – and were getting ready to depart when one of the attendants stepped forward and whispered in the Magistrate's ear. A look of realization crossed his face.

He bustled forward again and said, "Mother Confessor, forgive me, I've just been reminded. A few days before the baneling attack, three women passed this way. They were looking for you."

Richard's heart leapt into his throat, "For Kahlan? Why?"

"They did not say. They were strange women with strange dress unlike to ours. They inquired after the Mother Confessor, and when no one knew of her whereabouts, they departed. It was most unusual."

Richard found he could barely breathe. Fear and fury knotted together beneath his skin. "Can you tell us anything else?"

He considered a moment, scratching at his scraggily beard. "If I recall correctly, one was older and graying, the other two younger – one had darker hair and I believe the other more golden. They all rode in on horseback." He hesitated, "Is something wrong?"

It was Cara who said what he knew they all were thinking. "The Keeper's daughters." Richard nodded. He couldn't see it, but Kahlan was standing close enough that he felt the tremor that ran through her.

"The Keeper's daughters?" echoed the Magistrate.

"The women who hunt me and my child," said Kahlan in a voice he knew was far calmer than she felt. Even still, it shook a little. He felt just as rattled. They'd gone so long with no sign of the women from the prophecy that he'd begun to discount them as a threat.

"If they return, use caution," continued Kahlan. "It may be best to pretend you never saw us." The Magistrate gave a solemn nod, swearing to do as she said, and the four of them set off on horseback from the village.

xxx

They traveled east for over a week in a state of constant unease. Richard investigated every slight sound he heard when he stood watch at night, and they stopped letting Kahlan go anywhere alone. His nerves jangled at every bird call. It almost seemed a relief when it finally happened. They were making slow progress across an open meadow of melting snow, their horses' hooves squelching and leaving thick prints in the mud, when three figures appeared on the horizon.

They exchanged worried looks. There was nowhere to hide in the flat grassland, and the three figures were riding straight for them.

"It could be a coincidence," said Zedd. "Just three travelers on the road."

"Or they could be the Keeper's daughters," said Richard, squinting at the riders. He would not take any risks – not when it came to Kahlan's life.

She called for him with real panic in her voice, and he urged his horse closer to hers. "Richard," she said again, her blue eyes wide and frightened. "I can't balance up here like I used to. If we try to outrun them, I will fall from my horse."

He nodded – he had already guessed as much. "We're not outrunning them. We're going to fight them. They are only three. You stay behind us. Zedd, Cara and I can take them."

"It will be a pleasure," said Cara, sounding positively eager.

Richard looked back at the approaching riders, trying to judge how much time they had before they were upon them. It wouldn't be long. He reined in his horse and said, "We might as well wait for them to come to us and save our strength. I don't want you up on that horse when they get here. She's calm, but she's no warhorse. It'd be too easy for her to spook or throw you."

He dismounted and then hoisted Kahlan down from the saddle. Her belly was getting big enough that she could no longer do so safely on her own. He squeezed her hand and steadied her.

"I'm not used to this," she whispered to him. "Not being able to fight. I don't like it, Richard."

"I know," he said quietly. He smiled at her, trying to at least spare her his fear. He wondered if she could hear the thundering of his heart. "It's going to be all right," he promised. "I won't let them lay so much as a finger on you." He would die before they touched her, and he knew from the looks on Zedd and Cara's faces that they would too.

Silence fell over their little group, the three of them moving to stand in front of Kahlan. They watched the approaching riders grow larger as they galloped across the brown and muddied grass. Gray clouds rolled overhead, and the figures began to take shape. They were women, all veiled and dressed in matching gowns of flowing red. Despite the cold, they wore no cloaks, and together they rode like the wind.

"Kahlan!" cried one of the women. "Kahlan Amnell!" Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kahlan stiffen.

As the women neared, he saw they were as the Magistrate had described. The one who rode in front was older, gray hair fanning out from beneath her red veil. The two behind her were younger – one dark and one fair.

Richard lifted the Sword of Truth and bathed in the rage. He was lost to the fury, staring at the women with the promise of death in his eyes when Kahlan grabbed his arm.

"Richard, put down your sword!" she gasped. "I know them. They're Sisters of the Light!"