XXIX. D'HARA

Without thought, Richard raised the sword though his torn shoulder ached to do it. He did not have the strength to fight such a sea of enemies. Not after the hound. But the hundred men before him all dropped to their knees, and the words he'd heard spoken the day he learned the truth of his birth rang out once more to fill the night.

Master Rahl guide us. Master Rahl teach us. Master Rahl protect us. In your light we thrive. In your mercy we are sheltered. In your wisdom we are humbled. We live only to serve. Our lives are yours.

Still holding the sword in warning, Richard took a step closer. "What is the meaning of this?"

A man at the front rose to his feet. As he moved into the moonlight, Richard recognized him by his hulking form and his long, wild strands of matted blonde hair as the D'Haran who'd shot down the Sister of the Dark that morning.

"My scouts saw you passing in the night," he said in a low, gruff voice. "We followed you, my lord, thinking to kill you for impersonating the Lord Rahl and bringing shame to D'Hara." He nodded his head towards the bodies littering the rift. "That is no longer our wish."

Richard drew a weary breath. His torn shoulder felt on fire. "And what is your wish?"

"To serve you," said the man. "Or die by your hand for plotting your death."

"All of you? This is what all of you wish?"

Fists clamped to hearts, and a thundering chorus of "Yes, Lord Rahl," filled the night.

Richard stared at them, stunned. He wished he had Cara with him. She would know better what to say to such men. He kept his sword out, kept the blade angry; it would be his only chance if this proved to be some impossible trick. "You were ready to kill me this very night. Now you're certain I am your Lord Rahl. Why?"

The towering, blonde giant gestured at the body of the slain hound. "You single-handedly destroyed the horrors of the Underworld. A lesser man than Lord Rahl could not have done this. Many of my best men have tried and lost their lives in the attempt."

Richard frowned. "It was the sword's magic."

"Lord Rahl's sword."

"The Seeker's," he countered.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Do you deny that you are Richard Rahl, son of Panis Rahl, rightful Lord and Master of D'Hara?"

Yes, a part of him still wanted to scream. Yes, he denied it. He was Richard Cypher. Darken Rahl was no brother to him. But he remembered the words he had called down into the rift, and in the dark of the night, he found his voice. "I am Lord Rahl."

The man shrugged. "Then it is nothing to us that you also have other titles. Only a further sign of your greatness."

Richard shifted from foot to foot, glad the darkness hid the way his ears burned red at the flattery. The man spoke with a vehemence that left no doubt of his sincerity, despite the fact that he would have gladly killed him that morning. He stared out at the grim men assembled before him, fresh fear seizing his heart, "You came out here tonight intending to kill me," said Richard. "Have any of you gone after my friends?"

"No," said the man. "I've ordered no one after your companions." His expression darkened. "D'Harans aren't the ones in the habit of slaying women when they're with child."

Richard breathed a sigh of relief that Kahlan at least was unharmed. His torn shoulder was beginning to throb, and his head felt too light, as if he might faint. He forced himself to keep standing and beckoned the tall man closer. "What is your name?" he asked.

"Nox," said the man. "General Ben Nox, sir."

He nodded. "And why were you and your men at that baneling city today?"

Nox pushed back his matted blonde hair. "To kill witches," he said and spat on the ground. When Richard only nodded again, the general seemed to take it as a sign to go on. "Those witches moved onto our land right after D'Hara fell. The Mord-Sith all supported them, said they were working for our master, that Darken Rahl still sent word. Some of the men joined them. I didn't. Never thought much of Darken Rahl's ways, though I followed his orders and stayed alive because of it. But I don't take orders from dead men."

He gestured towards the soldiers behind him. "My men stuck with me, and we left the sisters alone, and they left us alone. It worked for awhile. But then the banelings started to come. People started to die, more and more, they died. Our women weren't safe. They acted like monsters, stabbing mothers in their bellies with their babes still growing there. Us that were left began to fight back, but we were scattered. Leaderless. Didn't take a real smart man to see we didn't stand a chance the way we were. Someone had to do it, so I started organizing the men. We've been fighting back ever since. Raiding their villages, doing what we can. We'll do better now with Lord Rahl on our side. Never seen a man who can fight like you just did there."

Richard managed a weary smile. Nox reminded him in a strange way of a gentler Cara, though he supposed perhaps that wasn't so strange at all. It was disorienting, so many men, so long his enemies, now suddenly sworn to serve him. But his instinct said they were good men, and he was outnumbered a hundred to one. He had no choice but to trust them.

He took a step forward and staggered, the pain in his shoulder burning back into his awareness. He glanced down at his blood soaked shirt, the ribbons of flesh and fabric where the hound's claws had dug in. The sight and the punch of pain made him sway.

"Come on, Lord Rahl," said Nox. "Best we look at your shoulder. Then we'll escort you back to the caves at Hadarn Rock."

"Hadarn Rock?"

"Where your companions are," said Nox.

Richard stopped short. "You know where we dwell?"

Nox beamed with pride. "My scouts are excellent." He spread his huge arms wide. "This is D'Hara. Not a grain of sand sits here that we do not know."

xxx

It was a long walk back to Hadarn Rock, and Richard's men half carried him there, one arm slung over Nox, and the other over a bald and red faced man named Gurt. Richard said little. The pain in his shoulder was worse when he moved, and most of his effort was spent on not blacking out.

At last the cliffs and caves of Hadarn Rock appeared before them; hulking, darker shapes outlined against a dark night. Before they had gone far up the rocky slope, they were greeted by an alarmed Cara and Zedd running out of a cave. Cara came with her Agiels in hand; Zedd with arms outstretched, ready to let loose a blast of wizard's fire.

"Wait," called Richard. "Cara, Zedd, it's me! They're friends." They slowed to a halt, cautious looks upon their faces.

"Richard?" He head Kahlan's voice cry out, and then she too appeared in the mouth of the cave. "Richard!" She hurried straight towards him, brushing Zedd aside when he reached for her. Her pace was far less than a run, but he knew how hard it was for her to move even as fast as she did. She alone paid no attention to the army behind him, but scrambled down the rocks and straight into his arms.

"Richard," she wept as she flung her arms around him, her belly smashed close against his stomach. "Oh thank the spirits." Tears ran down her cheeks. "I was so worried. I feared you were dead."

"You nearly sent her into labor," said Cara, "when she awoke and found you gone."

Richard gathered up Kahlan's face in his hands. "I will always come for you," he promised. "Always."

She nodded, blinking through her tears. Her gaze left his face, drifting to his wounded shoulder. She plucked at the hasty bandage one of the soldiers had fashioned for him. "You're bleeding," she gasped. "What's happened? Where have you been?"

"And what are you doing with half of D'Hara?" added Cara, her hands on her hips.

Richard glanced at her over the top of Kahlan's head. "Half of D'Hara wants to help," he said. "A very wise Mord-Sith once told me that we're on the same side." A little half-smile flickered at the corner of Cara's mouth and she turned away.

"My men and I have sworn allegiance to Lord Rahl," said Nox.

Cara raised an eyebrow, looking over at the general with something surprisingly close to admiration. "I did so long before you," she said.

Zedd had made his way down to them by that time, his eyes widening as he caught sight of Richard's shoulder. He peeled off the bandage and shook his head. "It's a wonder you're still standing. You need to let me heal that right away, my boy. It's quite deep. I don't want to risk infection. Come inside the cave and take off your shirt, and I'll get to work."

"Richard," said Kahlan, still staring at the wound with wide eyes. "Those look like claw marks. What in the name of the spirits…"

"Lord Rahl killed the beast in the rift," said Gurt. "Slew it single-handedly. And near three hundred screelings too."

"It was the sword!" said Richard. "And it wasn't three hundred—"

"Lord Rahl slew it with Lord Rahl's sword," amended Gurt. "He has magic in it."

Richard nodded vaguely at that. He didn't know how to begin to describe the fluid rage that had commanded him in battle. Now that it was done, he felt calmer than he had in months. More at peace. He looped an arm around Kahlan and drew her close. "How do you feel?" he asked quietly, remembering how pale she'd been when she collapsed. "You look better."

"I feel better," said Kahlan. "At least, now that you're here."

Nox accompanied them inside the cave, while Gurt led the men in setting up a guard around the perimeter. Zedd healed the wound easily enough, though he still felt a bit lightheaded from the blood loss, but Kahlan couldn't stop hovering. She sat right beside him, nearly in his lap, rubbing a sweet-smelling salve into the new, pink skin of his shoulder. Her lips were pursed, an intense look of concentration on her beautiful face.

The others listened as he recounted what had happened, Nox chiming in to add unnecessary embellishments about just how surely he'd swung his sword. When the story was told, Richard leaned back against the rough wall of the cave, Kahlan nestled at his side. He looked up at the faces of his friend. "The hound is no more," he said. "I can explore the length of the rift much more easily now." The spells he'd learned in the black book of Ashkari churned in his mind, all incantations and Fatal Graces. Perhaps he could use some of them now to gain knowledge of the stone.

"So that is your plan now?" said Zedd, quiet skepticism in his voice. "We patrol the rift?"

"No," said Richard. "Not yet. Kahlan is to have our child very soon." He sighed and looked up into the sad eyes of his grandfather. "I owe you an apology, Zedd. You were only trying to get me to see reason."

"There's no need for an apology. I'm just glad to have my grandson back in one piece."

"No, you were right," insisted Richard. "When our daughter is born, she and Kahlan will need to be somewhere safe. They will need protecting, a place to grow strong before they are ready to travel again." He turned towards the wild looking man on whom he was suddenly pinning all his dearest hopes. "Is there any such place left in this forsaken land where I can take her?"

Nox nodded his large, blonde head. "Isham is no more than two days ride to the east, Lord Rahl. It used to be a fort on the western border of D'Hara, but it's become our city and stronghold. All who live there follow my word. They will serve and shelter you gladly."

"I cannot thank you enough," said Richard. "I'll also need help searching for the stone, if your men will give it."

"They're your men, Lord Rahl. And they all will, gladly. We've been fighting a war without end. You will have many hands eager to help you." Nox got to his feet, and stood hunched over to keep his head from hitting the low walls of the cave. "I'll send word through my scouts for news of anything that might be of aid. Shall I ready them? Then we'll see you safely to Isham – these are dangerous lands."

"Yes," said Richard and began to rise as well. "We should get going.

"Not just yet," said Zedd. "That shoulder needs a few hours rest if my work is not to come undone." Richard started to protest, but Zedd held up his hand. "We could all use some rest." His gaze flicked briefly towards Kahlan, his voice heavy with unsaid meaning. "It's been a night of little sleep."

"Very well," relented Richard, turning back to Nox. "Set up a guard, but let the others rest. We leave at first light."

Nox clamped his fist to his heart. "It will be as you say, Lord Rahl."

Zedd pushed himself to his feet. "And I need to check my webs. Many may need resetting now that an army's passed through them. Try and get some sleep, my boy."

As they filed out, Cara lingered. She stood scuffing the toe of her boot back and forth, an uneasy look on her face. "What is it, Cara?" asked Richard.

She stared down at the floor of the cave. "When I returned from hunting and you were gone, I intended to set out to find you. I should have left immediately, but I delayed." She hesitated, looking almost lost. "I don't know why. I let harm come to you. If you want one of the soldiers to replace me as your protector, I'll understand. I'd recommend General Nox. He is an able bodied man."

"Cara, I don't want to replace you."

She looked up in surprise, "But I failed you."

"You didn't fail me." He winced inwardly at the memory of his harsh words to her earlier that night. "It's I who owe you an apology. I hurt your feelings, and I'm sorry. I understand why you delayed. I want you as my protector. And my friend."

"Mord-Sith don't have feelings," said Cara, but a faint smile crossed her face, and she seemed to stand a little taller. "I'm going to make sure General Nox's guard assignments are adequate."

Richard smiled back, "Thank you, Cara." He watched her go, and then turned to Kahlan, the two of them alone at last.

"What did I miss while I slept?" she asked, her eyes wide.

His cheeks burned red. "I was in a foul mood," he admitted. "You'd be ashamed if you heard all I said."

"I could never be ashamed of you." She paused and then added, "Lord Rahl." It was the first time she'd called him by that name.

He shifted uncomfortably. "I didn't mean to take the title," he said, feeling rather like a boy caught with a stolen pie.

"It's yours by right. You would not have me deny my title, would you?"

"No. Of course not."

"Then don't deny yours." Her hand lingered on his chest, fingers idly rubbing at his newly repaired flesh. "I know how it feels to bear the weight of a title you do not necessarily want, but your shoulders are strong enough for the task. And General Nox is a good man. Every word he speaks is true. You can do a lot of good for these people, and they for you."

He nodded. When Kahlan said it, he could almost imagine it to be true. She shifted abruptly, struggling to reach behind her.

"What is it?" he asked.

"My back hurts today," she said. She winced and braced a hand against her lower back.

"Here," said Richard, getting up on his knees to crawl behind her. "Let me rub it for you."

She exhaled loudly and nodded her head. "Oh, it aches," she said, hissing in another breath as he began to knead her lower back. "I feel like I'm about to burst with this child."

"She'll come soon," he said.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry," he said as he rubbed his way down her spine. "I've been making you do too much. I know how tired you are."

She gasped in another breath, moaning softly. "Harder," she said. "It still aches." He complied, and she went on. "I wouldn't have done it differently. I need you near me." She paused, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. When she spoke again, her voice was hesitant, "Will you stay long in Isham?" She leaned further forward, whimpering as he worked at her back.

"Until she's born," said Richard. "And then as long after as you need."

"But what of the stone? And the rift?"

"I'll spend all my life trying to seal the rift, if that's what it takes. But I don't know where to turn, Kahlan. I don't know what to do next." His hands stilled against her lower back. "All I can do is what I judge to be right, and if I don't try to keep the mother of my child safe, how can I claim to be on the side of the Creator? I've already put you in danger too many times. I will look for a way to close the rift for as long as I must, but I cannot begin until you and our daughter are safe."

Kahlan nodded, turning suddenly in his lap to rest her head against his chest. Tears spilled from her eyes to wet his skin. She clung to him, fingers tangling in his hair. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you." It was not until that moment that he realized just how scared she'd been. He held her closer.