Chapter Thirty-Two

Richard stood, drawing the Sword of Truth, Cara's hand went to her Agiel, Kahlan drew her knifes, and Meiffert drew his own sword. No one else followed Leo out of the woods, and he looked to be unarmed.

"What do you want Leo?" Richard asked after a tense moment.

"I want my sword back." He moved a little bit closer. "It doesn't belong to you, and you don't know how to use it. Only a Seeker of Truth can use that Sword." Leo moved farther into the camp with each word.

"I know that Leo." Richard said, "I am the Seeker of Truth, though."

"No you're not!" Leo yelled at him. "You are just a tyrant who thinks he can pretend to be a hero. It doesn't work that way Rahl! You will never be able to redeem yourself!" He was almost right in front of Richard now.

"Stop Leo." Kahlan said quietly, and Leo looked over to Kahlan.

His mouth fell open. "You – You're – Kahlan." Was all he managed to get out.

"Listen, Leo. This man is not Richard Rahl. He is Richard Cypher, and he is the Seeker of Truth, but . . . "

"Not necessarily from this world." Richard finished for her. If they could get Leo to join their cause they would be able to find Shota and Chase easier, and then Richard could find the voice.

"Then why did he steal my sword and kill all of my men?" Leo asked spitefully.

"You captured and tortured us." Cara supplied with venom in her voice. "Did you really think he would just let that go?" Kahlan stopped her before she could go on.

"He didn't know who you were Leo. He thought you were someone trying to steal – " Kahlan was cut off.

"I had the Sword of Truth! I told him I was the Seeker, and he still killed everyone. I want my sword back!" Leo seemed determined to have her sword returned to him.

"You are not going to take my sword." Richard said with finality, and Leo seemed to understand what would happen if he asked again.

Leo continued on with them for a day, seeming debating whether or not to try and take the Sword of Truth. However he disappeared with out a word on the first night with them, without taking the Sword of Truth.

Cara had wanted to follow him and take him prisoner. It had taken Richard almost an entire hour to convince her not to go after him, and he had needed Kahlan's help. Meiffert had agreed with her at first, but he still believed Richard was the Lord Rahl and didn't say anything after Richard's orders.

Richard for is part didn't think they had anything to fear from Leo. He knew why Leo hadn't taken the sword, and it wasn't because he feared Richard. It was because he knew in his gut that Richard wasn't lying to him. After the argument with Cara, she and Meiffert had gone hunting, leaving Kahlan and him alone.

"Richard," She asked after making sure Cara was gone. "Are you sure letting Leo go was the right decision? I mean he could be working with whoever sent you that message." She sat down next to him. "You didn't even really ask him about it."

"He doesn't know anything." Richard said firmly. "He doesn't seem like the type of man that would be an agent of someone else, and he doesn't have enough will power to raise another army. He won't bother us anymore, but Kahlan." Richard said knowing how this would probably hurt her. "If . . . when I get back to my back to my world, I would appreciate it if you gave him his sword back."

Richard saw the flash of panic before the Confessor face fell into place. "You're leaving?" He almost heard her voice crack.

"Kahlan, as much as it pains me to see you . . . this way, I don't belong here, and the Creator only knows what the other Richard is doing in my world. Kahlan . . . I'm sorry." Richard knew that she would take this well, but it was hard to judge her feelings because of the Confessor face.

Kahlan got up. "I'm going to get more fire wood." Richard knew they didn't need anymore fire wood.

"Kahlan. Wait." He said, getting up, but he realized that she wasn't his Kahlan. That he would be forced to leave her soon, and he would never know what happened to her. Richard sat back down.

He let her go.

Author's Note: Hey, sorry this update took so long. I started band camp after I got back from vacation and didn't have much time to write. I won't be updating everyday now, but I'll try to make the chapters longer. No guarantees.

IndependenceDayChild17