Chapter Seventeen

Richard couldn't believe he had just told Kahlan he loved her. She looked confused and a little frightened by his words, and she had taken a step back from him. Captain Meiffert's mouth was hanging open, and Cara had suddenly stood up straighter.

Richard had thought about saying it ever since they had almost kissed over Berdine. He had decided that it wouldn't be right, since he wasn't exactly sure if she still hated him or not. He hadn't meant to tell Kahlan he loved her, but he was so excited when she was starting to act like the Kahlan he knew, that it had slipped out.

"What?" Kahlan had whispered. Her hands had dropped to her sides.

Richard didn't know what to say. "I . . . Kahlan . . . I don't – " He was saved by Cara which surprised him.

"Lord Rahl, maybe we should discuss this when you are in a safer position. We are open targets out her with no protection."

Meiffert immediately jumped in and took charge. "Yes, she's right. We must get out of the open. You have an extremely limited amount of protection now that we are out side the palace."

Cara went on ahead of the rest of them and Meiffert securely but gently took Kahlan's arm and dragged her away. Richard was left standing alone in the clearing, but Cara was there in less than a minute to collect him. "Lord Rahl, we have to move. It is not safe to stay in one position to long."

Richard began walking and Cara followed him. Giving him course corrections in the shortest amount of words possible. Richard was distracted with the fact that Cara had jumped in to protect Richard from answering Kahlan's question.

Cara gave him another course correction and he decided to pay attention. He could clearly see Kahlan and Meiffert's tracks. He was a woods guide. He should be able to follow two people who weren't covering their tracks easily. Cara gave him no more course corrections after he began to pay attention, and they quickly caught up to Kahlan and Meiffert.

They walked in pairs now. Richard and Meiffert in front and Cara and Kahlan in the back. Richard wouldn't have minded walking next to Meiffert if the entire caravan wasn't dead silent. They continued on like this for the rest of the day, and Richard was tired of it. Silence, while it could be a good thing, was not necessary in this situation, and it was making Richard itchy.

After Richard found a nice spot to set up camp, he spoke for the first time since his failed attempt at explaining to Kahlan why he had said, 'I love you.'

"I'm going hunting."

Everyone started speaking at once and Richard didn't understand a word of it. Richard raised his hand, ready to start saying things to get them to be quiet, however, all it took was his hand.

"Okay, so I'm going to go hunt now." They all almost talked again, but Cara spoke first.

"Lord Rahl, we have brought food from the palace so that we may eat with out hunting."

"Yes, but there is no way that the two of you could have packed enough food for the entire trip. I appreciate the effort, but I would rather save the food from the palace for some place where we can't catch any game." Richard explained slowly.

"Well, Mistress Cara and I can go hunting, Lord Rahl. You should rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow and we need everyone at their full strength." Meiffert said, and Richard felt like he was being treated as a child.

"Captain, do you know how to hunt?" Richard asked, but Meiffert didn't answer. "I know that Cara doesn't know how to hunt, however, I don't know about your skills. Since you all seem so worried about my protection, you can come hunt with me." He was trying to compromise, but realized that he would be leaving Cara and Kahlan alone.

"Richard," Kahlan said quietly. She was sitting on a log and had started a small fire while the D' Harans and him had been talking. "Why don't you go hunting by your self so that we might actually catch something tonight."

Richard smiled at Kahlan, and then turned to Cara and Meiffert. "So it's settled, I'll go hunting, and you can set up camp. Oh, Kahlan." He said, remembering all the times he had had burnt soup, "Don't let Cara cook."

Richard walked away, but out of the corner of his eye he could see Cara rolling her eyes at Kahlan, and heard a slight giggle escape from her lips.

Richard thought tomorrow would be better.