A/N: Hey guys. Heavy chapter, and the second longest one so far. By my count, three people are "broken" in this chapter, you could say.

Blue eyes opened slowly and Kahlan began to stretch, but then she froze. All at once, memories of last night returned to her. A particular part gave her pause. She stared at sunlight filtering through the window as she turned it over in her mind.

A promise born of instinct.

Such things were as honest as Confessions.

So what did that say of her?

Of Cara?

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. It wasn't something to be argued with or reasoned against. Nor could she begin to apply logic to her anger, her reaction to Cara. She didn't have time for it anyway.

Kahlan sat up in the bed, eyes falling upon Cara lounging in the corner.

She didn't look up. "I didn't want to encounter the Seeker before hearing about your conversation with the wizard."

Kahlan rose, stretching. "Do you sleep?"

"Not with the way you sleep."

She shot the woman a look before going to wash her face. "It's too early to be snide."

"It's the afternoon."

"I just woke up," she re-entered the main room, "So."

Cara frowned.

"It's morning to me."

"But it's the afternoon."

The open confusion in Cara's tone made Kahlan fuss with the bed sheets to hide her smile. The Mord'Sith had no hope of understanding. "First thing's first. Apparently we're only staying to rest through today."

"That's stupid."

Kahlan briefly shut her eyes in an attempt to keep a straight face and sat on the bed. "Yes, well, we have to find the Stone. Are you going to come over here?"

Cara crossed her arms, sinking further into the chair off in her corner.

"This is no way to have a conversation."

"Being dead wouldn't stop you from rambling at me."

Kahlan's eyes narrowed. "Just get on the bed."

"No."

"Why?"

"Why does it matter? I'm tired of being here. Finish talking already."

"Cara, you are a frustrating person."

She raised her chin a little.

Kahlan resisted the urge to slap the pride off the woman's face. "Zedd lied. A witch, Shota, told him a prophecy about Richard and how to find the Stone of Tears. The Abbot of Alric keeps a necklace that marks someone with a rune used to open a tomb at Premora."

"The Stone is there?"

"A compass leading to it."

"And she just gave this information away?"

Kahlan shifted, obviously uncomfortable. "She seems rather fond of Zedd. I think she still hopes he'll use her choice of a Seeker."

"Riveting. What's the prophecy?"

"From blood, an unaccountable factor will stop the Seeker of Truth from dooming all life."

"How damning."

Her dead tone made Kahlan choke on a laugh. "Yes, well, it eases Zedd, but we have to just get along until then and try to…" she trailed off with a tired sigh and shrugged.

"What if it doesn't mean this Seeker?" She arched an eyebrow when Kahlan stared at her. "His anger could lead to a replacement. Tell me he's fit to hold that sword right now."

"He's not," Kahlan admitted softly.

"If it does mean him, could it refer to the wizard? His sister? Darken Rahl?"

The Confessor winced. "I didn't think about that."

"It could mean his death for all you know."

Blue eyes scrutinized her. "You have a quick mind."

"What, do you think because I am Mord'Sith, I'm stupid? We throw lesser Mord'Sith at our enemies in droves and they're terrible, terrifying. Easily replaceable. Stupidity is only so useful. Rahl keeps his elite close."

Kahlan found herself sitting straighter, chin raising. She couldn't help reacting to the Mord'Sith pride filling the room. She also couldn't miss the hateful note at the end. "Is that so?"

Green flicked to blue. "I was one of his favorites." Her lip curled as her head turned. "A perfect Mord'Sith."

After a pause, Kahlan spoke. "Perhaps that's why we haven't killed each other." She smiled a little, knowing she had the woman's full attention. "I like to think I'm a perfect Confessor."

Cara snorted.

"You don't think so?"

"It's that you don't think that." Cara stood adjusting her leathers. "You're the best Confessor I've seen in a fight, even tired with bruised ribs. You possess the ability to go into the Con Dar." She inclined her head, misreading the surprise on Kahlan's face. "I read the reports and Rahl was shaken by what you did to Giller."

"You know about that." When Cara shifted under her gaze, she stared at a wall.

Cara cleared her throat. "You're just and compassionate. Strategic. You admit when you're wrong. You walk as though you belong on a throne but get in the mud to help a man with his cart. For all of that, you don't harbor arrogance. And so you push yourself further. You're not afraid to be more, so you are." Seeing Kahlan's eyes on her, she shrugged, as if it was simply fact. "So what about the Seeker's attitude now? He'll likely act like my Lord Rahl."

A muscle in Kahlan's face twitched and she stood, her eyes focused on the blonde's bruised cheek.

Cara stepped toward her as if unable to do otherwise. She searched Kahlan's eyes.

And Kahlan met her gaze.

Again, there was only them. Cara's silent question hanging in the space between them. If Kahlan went back on last night. How she wanted to continue. These things, she left them up to Kahlan, accepting whatever her decision was.

The moment itself spoke of Cara's stance.

"One cannot deny their nature."

Cara stared a heartbeat longer and nodded, satisfied.

"I don't know what to do about Richard, honestly."

"Having a Mord'Sith might distract or relax him."

"That would require you to serve him."

"It would."

For a moment, Kahlan could swear to the Creator herself there was a question in those two words.

"Either way," Cara said, coming back to herself and cocking out a hip, "if we're leaving in the morning, we may as well leave now."

The question was gone. "I guess—"

"Move, dammit!"

They shared a look.

Dirt's response was too quiet to distinguish.

"She is my Confessor and my love. I want to see her. Move."

Kahlan crossed the room, touching Cara's arm to gain her attention. "Do you have something in mind besides serving him?"

Cara looked at her, determining if she was sure. In a moment, she grinned.

"Spirits, help me."

The Mord'Sith composed herself and straightened her back. She swung open the door to reveal Dirt and Richard losing their patience. They alternated between staring at her and Kahlan, who had slapped on a serious expression just in time.

"Richard, we were just about to find you and suggest leaving once everyone's had a meal."

Her easy tone gave him pause. "We, uhm, yeah, that's a good idea, but I wanted to speak with Kahlan, actually."

"Have you eaten yet?"

"No, I—"

"Great. Let's go." She nodded to Dirt.

In turn, he left, presumably to find them a table.

Richard raised an eyebrow, trying to look past Cara. "If I could just—"

"Move, yes. The Confessor's stomach is driving me mad."

His mouth closed and he blinked, walking away.

Cara jumped when Kahlan leaned into her ear. "Thank you. Do you happen to have an idea for naming Dirt?"

The Mord'Sith stepped away, into the hall. "Why name him?"

"Because he's a person."

They started for the stairs. "He's your pet, at best."

"No, a person."

"For all purposes, he's your pet. You might not like the word, but it is what it is. Have you any ideas so far?"

Kahlan sighed. "I almost yelled 'Candle' at him when he asked."

Cara coughed. "If you keep him too close, the Seeker will grow suspicious."

"I know."

Dirt waved at them as they reached the bottom of the stairs. He sat at a table in the corner of the mostly empty tavern. Richard looked up smiling, and Zedd glanced away from the plates in front of him. The Confessed man pulled the chair beside him for Kahlan, who sat with a thankful smile.

Cara had approached more slowly, casually grabbing a chair from another table. Staring directly into brown eyes, she placed it beside Richard and dropped into it, looking away.

"Didn't we talk about this?"

The Mord'Sith regarded him with a tight smile much like someone does a child when the dog relieves itself on a rug. "Yes, Richard. I didn't know you were having memory issues."

Zedd took an exceptionally large bite of his roll and Kahlan covered her mouth, picking imaginary lint off her dress.

Richard cleared his throat. "Perhaps you should sit somewhere else then."

She looked down, head tilting a little. A smirk eased onto her face. She rose. "Dirt, move."

He jumped up and switched seats with her.

Kahlan stole a roll from Zedd and busied herself with eating it.

The Seeker glanced between Dirt and Cara, a frown deepening on his brow.

"So," Zedd said loudly, "Shall we all eat?"

A smile twitched on Richard's face. "You've got a bit of a head start."

"So I do."

Dirt left abruptly, weaving through tables toward Ave.

Cara jerked a thumb toward Kahlan. "We were thinking we might as well leave after this. What do you think, wizard?"

He frowned at Richard. "So soon?"

Kahlan touched his arm, an apologetic smile on her face. "Cara and I thought it best."

Zedd stared at his food, mumbling about his old bones.

"I have to find the Stone."

"Perhaps an old widow has it."

Kahlan coughed violently and swatted Cara's arm.

Richard's eyes burned.

Zedd, however, leaned around Kahlan to glare at Cara. "The Stone of Tears is a powerful, magical artifact. It is not a joke."

Cara nodded seriously.

Zedd returned to his food with a huff as Dirt sat down again.

"Food will be here soon."

"Thank you." Kahlan smiled.

The Seeker and Mord'Sith rolled their eyes when Dirt beamed at her.

"What happened to the Rada'Han anyway?"

"Thankfully, Cara found the key."

"Why?"

Brown eyes locked onto green. "I just wanted to know."

Cara's jaw tightened. She hadn't missed the subtle glance at Kahlan.

Ave and a woman arrived with food and he smiled at Cara and Kahlan. "Anything else I can do?"

"We're leaving after this and we've asked so much, but—"

"Consider it done, Mother Confessor."

Richard took a bite of a roll. "Do they even have enough horses?"

"Probably not." Cara jerked her head toward Kahlan. "So it's a good thing this one brought three horses when she dragged you back here."

"I'm 'this one' now?"

"The one I spoke of, yes," Cara said irritably.

Slowly, Kahlan turned to the woman beside her. "What exactly do I look like to you?"

"Exactly?"

"Yes."

Cara leaned back and took in every single one of Kahlan's features, every curve, every muscle, every stray hair, every freckle sprinkled across her face.

"Well?"

"You look like this one."

Kahlan made a loud noise and elbowed her arm. She ignored Cara's amused smile and tore apart a roll.

Richard grunted and stabbed at his food. "I think you look beautiful, Kahlan."

"Thank you," she growled.

They each took to their meal, mentally preparing for their journey and thinking of each other. Zedd was solely interested in his food. Richard alternated between glaring at Dirt for staring at his mistress and stealing glances at Kahlan himself. Almost every time he did, he noticed Cara watching him. After a while, he took to glaring at her, but she just smirked and stopped paying attention. Kahlan, oblivious to the three of them, only forgot her food long enough to narrow her eyes at the Mord'Sith once.

Zedd was the last to finish, and the slowest to move when it came to gathering supplies and thanking Ave for the food he'd given them to go.

Richard had taken to making small, irritated noises. Somehow, every time he tried to get close to Kahlan, Dirt or Cara was in the way and always one of them at her side. At last, as they were going to the stables, Richard saw opportunity and came beside Kahlan. "I've missed you."

She visibly jumped, looking at him with wide eyes. "I miss you too," she blurted. "How's your head?"

He smiled, walking so close their arms bumped against each other. "Better. Still getting headaches. A kiss would probably make my temple stop pounding."

"Confessor." Kahlan looked up as Cara emerged from the stables with two horses and a sad Dirt behind her. "Found a matching horse for you."

Kahlan accepted the reigns to the white horse with a small smile. The Mord'Sith ignored it, but she had no doubt it was a gesture of respect. She mounted swiftly while Dirt came over to fasten her pack to the saddle.

Cara got on her black horse and glanced at Richard's scowl. "Better get your horse before the wizard eats it."

He went into the stables without a word.

When Kahlan's eyes pierced her, Cara nodded once.

Soon, the five of them were all on horses, and Richard spoke first. "So which way, Zedd?"

"We go north."

And so they did. The road only allowed for two horses to walk side by side and Richard found himself leading with Zedd while Dirt brought up the rear. It gave the Seeker a sour mood and Cara and Kahlan didn't find a reason to exchange words, so only the sounds of the horses broke the almost tense atmosphere. As afternoon wore on, Zedd commented on the peaceful day, earning a few murmurs of agreement.

By the time night approached, they were no longer among trees.

Richard turned, taking in the plains surrounding them. "We should make camp while there's still light."

"It's pretty exposed here."

Richard partially leaned out of his saddle to glare at Dirt. "That's why I said it'd be best to stop now."

"Or maybe by those rocks," Cara drawled.

Kahlan followed her gaze off the road, spotting a small rock formation squatting in the distance. "Doesn't look too far."

The Seeker pulled his reigns, directing his horse toward it, irritation rolling off him in waves.

It proved not to be far and provided a sort of enclosure as the few rocks were too close for someone to go between and stood taller than the horses by a half. They set up camp in awkward tension, Dirt barely managing to devise a way to secure the horses to the rocks.

Later, Cara set out her bedroll away from everyone, ignoring the look Kahlan gave her. As Dirt beat Richard to Kahlan's side, Cara spoke. "I'll take first watch."

"Can't Mord'Sith keep watch all night?"

Cara didn't even glance at Richard. "Of course. But it's stupid to do if unnecessary, kind of like running your horse to death when you don't have to be anywhere."

His face twitched. "I'll take next watch."

"No need. Dirt will take the other half."

Zedd and Dirt happily took to sleep while Kahlan feigned sleep, facing away from the camp. It was some time before she heard Richard settle down, mumbling to himself. She hated that they couldn't have a fire. It wasn't cold, but the lack of light and sound made her feel vulnerable and focusing on the soft rustle of wind moving through the grass didn't relax her.

"He's asleep."

The low voice made her turn over. Cara sat atop the rocks, her figure surrounded by the stars and her face only visible by the light of the moon. Kahlan idly wondered when the woman climbed up there.

"He's trying to control himself to appease you. My guess is he doesn't want you to be wary of him." She shrugged a shoulder. "You can relax. I've got a good understanding of his anger at this point."

"Is he really so terrible?"

Cara paused. "That is not for me to decide. A better answer would be that even now, in his rest, I feel his displeasure."

Kahlan propped herself up on an elbow and fidgeted with her bedroll.

Cara sighed.

"I just can't sleep."

She sighed again.

"Just being near him, I just, he makes me so damned mad."

"You're going to draw wolves or something."

"No wolves in these parts," Kahlan said. "My skin crawls when he looks at me and I dread even talking to him." She didn't mind Cara's silence. The fact alone the woman listened was a rare gift and Kahlan knew it. She pulled a stray thread from her bedroll, frowning at the state of her life. Kahlan released a small sigh and settled down to try sleeping.

"You're not in love with him," Cara said quietly. "If you ever were."

Blue eyes opened and stared into the distance.

The days blurred into each other, and the weeks began to blend as well. Every night, Cara and Dirt took watch, so Richard never got to sleep beside Kahlan. Through the days, Cara responded less and less to Kahlan, who found the void filled by Dirt and Richard vying for her attention. By the middle of the third week, Kahlan took longer to fall asleep as her mind wandered through possible reasons for Cara's distance and how it seemed Richard's demeanor grew more pleasant as Cara fell further into herself.

The Mord'Sith hadn't even complained when they stopped to help a farmer find his daughter the week before.

And Kahlan still hadn't thought of a damn name for Dirt.

In the quiet morning, Zedd spoke, "I'm surprised it's been so uneventful."

Kahlan hummed in agreement, looking to Cara, but the woman stared at nothing as she stood next to her horse with her arms crossed. Kahlan frowned.

Richard elbowed Kahlan. "And now we're jinxed, don't you think?"

She offered him a tight smile.

"Rubbish." Zedd dusted himself off. "Well, let's get going, I suppose."

Richard, taking advantage of his proximity, helped Kahlan mount her horse.

As the group started again, Richard spoke to no one in particular, "I was looking at the map and there's a small city up ahead, Black Arrow Point. We can switch horses there."

No one disagreed, but no one agreed either.

Before the sun reached the middle of the sky, they were giving up their horses. Black Arrow Point thrived as though it would burst. People crowded the streets, the buzz of conversation consistent.

Kahlan came up beside Cara, seeing the blonde's intense frown. "Is it the people?"

"Keep your pet close. I won't walk with you."

Kahlan stepped into her view. Blue sought green, and failed. "Why?"

"I am Mord'Sith."

Before she could respond, Dirt was asking for her arm, only barely beating Richard, whose eye twitched. Kahlan was the only one to look back, but already they were too deep into the crowd for her to see more than a flash of red leather.

Richard made great efforts to walk on the other side of the Confessor, as people were too concerned with their business to make way for the Seeker. "I've been thinking." He nearly had to shout to be heard. "Since Darken is dead and we just have to find the Stone, why don't you just go to Aydindril?"

She stopped, Dirt following suit almost immediately. "Excuse me?"

"The Midlands need their queen and it would make it easier when we join our kingdoms."

"Join our kingdoms."

Richard smiled brightly. "After this is done, I have to rebuild D'Hara, make it new. It's in my blood. We'll join our lands when we wed. Peace and love for all. The beginning of a new age."

Zedd was the first to turn as people screamed.

Kahlan pushed through the panicked crowd faster than anyone, pushed through toward Cara as people fled.

The Mord'Sith held a dirty blonde man at the wrist, casually tossing a coin purse to a poorly dressed woman who only stared in shock.

"Cara!" Richard glared, stepping ahead of Kahlan and dropping his hand to his sword.

"Help me!" He struggled against the Mord'Sith's grip.

"You can't just grab people!"

Green met blue. "He stole from that woman."

Zedd arrived, tilting his head. "Is that—"

"Release him!"

"Richard," Kahlan said lowly.

Zedd stepped closer. "Wait—"

"Now," Richard barked.

Cara cocked her head, eyes suddenly piercing Richard's. Her hand opened.

The thief ran past them, but he couldn't seem to help himself, and stopped a safe distance away, crouching beside a barrel by someone's shop.

Before Kahlan could glare at Richard, Zedd threw his hands up. "That boy has the rune on his hands!"

"What?"

Zedd looked over Kahlan's head, his gaze burning into Richard. "To open the tomb, we use a locket the Abbot has. It puts a rune on the user's hand that opens the tomb." He pointed at the thief, who went further up the road as guards approached. "There it goes."

"How was I supposed to know? She can't just go around grabbing people!"

Kahlan opened her mouth, but she forgot her words as the sound of swords being drawn filled the air.

The guards were forming a loose semi-circle on the other side of Cara.

Kahlan darted over, staying Cara's hand from her agiels.

"Mother Confessor?" One of the guards hesitated.

"She's with me."

Dirt joined the pair, ready to draw his sword for his mistress.

"Mord'Sith cause trouble, Mother Confessor," said one as their half circle tightened, albeit hesitantly.

Kahlan stepped directly in front of her. "She stopped a thief. One more step and I will find you guilty of treason."

"Mo-Mother Confessor?"

"Yes. Mother Confessor whose word is law. Attend to your people."

Slowly, swords returned to their scabbards, and the guards left, often glancing back.

Richard came over, tapping Cara's shoulder to break the gaze she shared with Kahlan. "Shouldn't you be retrieving the thief?"

"I shouldn't just be grabbing people."

A noise rose out of Richard's throat.

Kahlan touched Cara's arm.

Green left blue, and she took off at full speed, snatching a small pot from a merchant stand as she did.

The thief balked at the sight of her like a startled deer.

Kahlan followed, pushing herself harder than she'd ever done, straining to catch up to Cara. It was impressive and terrifying, her speed. She was like a lioness intent on her prey. Blood pounded in Kahlan's ears and it felt as though her feet barely hit the ground in her attempts to match Cara. She only slightly trailed behind, and they'd closed more than half the distance between them and the thief, likely due to their greater fitness.

Kahlan's legs burned and her lungs felt inclined to bursting, but the fact Cara seemed unaffected kept her from slowing.

The thief turned, almost tripping when he saw them. He pivoted, making for a side street.

Kahlan suddenly passed Cara, unable to process why until a small pot flew over her shoulder and broke across the man's side.

He fell with a startled scream. As he lurched to his feet, Kahlan's shoulder slammed into him.

They tumbled in the street.

His fist stopped inches from Kahlan's face. Cara's grip tightened and she jerked him to his feet, her Mord'Sith stare burning into him. "You dare attempt to strike the Mother Confessor?"

"Mo-Mother-She tackled me!"

Kahlan stood, a hand on her side as she breathed deeply. Thank the Creator her ribs had healed up. She glared. Cara's chest wasn't even heaving.

"Stealing. Raising your hand to the Mother Confessor. I think it should come off."

"Cara, it's alright."

The Mord'Sith stared a moment, then nodded.

"Yeah, Cara," he said. "Relax."

Her hand found his throat and squeezed. "You do not have the privilege of using my name."

Dirt arrived, terribly out of breath.

"I'm fine." She gazed past him, seeing Zedd and Richard coming with horses.

When the grip on his throat relaxed, he coughed. "I've been tortured. Been on the wheel, felt an agiel. I did not break. I'm not afraid of you."

Cara's fist made him double over and her knee crashed against his face.

As he crumpled, Richard yelled her name from behind them.

Cara's eyes rolled. "Are you dying, Confessor?"

"Of course not," she huffed, "Ran slow so you could keep up."

Cara smirked.

Richard and Zedd came to a stop near them with two extra horses each. Dismounting quickly, Richard barged up to the blonde. "Do you have any sense at all, Cara?"

Kahlan watched her head tilt, saw her weight shift. She brushed against the Mord'Sith on her way to a horse.

Cara blinked, watching her. She moved to join her.

Richard's jaw clenched. "You need to stop doing unnecessary things."

"Dirt," Kahlan said from atop a brown horse, "Ride with the thief and fasten any packs to the extra horse."

He went about his task with diligent enthusiasm.

Richard remounted, the annoyance plain on his face. "We'll make it to the next town with what we have. Where's the tomb, Zedd?"

With a tired sigh, the wizard led the way.

"They what?"

Kahlan rubbed her temple. In the near week it'd taken to reach Premora, they'd learned the thief, Flynn, got the rune when investigating what he'd made off with when escaping a camp D'Harans had set up. It so happened the Abbot of Alric had been killed there in Darken Rahl's quest to find the Stone of Tears himself.

"Our townspeople rose against the D'Harans stationed here, but they just, they crawled out the grave itself. They've been at the tomb since. They, they only leave to kill people."

"Banelings," Zedd said. "Souls given another chance at life for the price of another life."

"Kill to live."

The wizard nodded at Cara. "Exactly."

"And they're just guarding the tomb?"

"Rahl—"

"Darken," Richard corrected.

"Rahl," Cara repeated, "must've ordered it when he lost this." She pulled lightly at the rope around Flynn's neck.

His smart mouth remained silent, and he flinched when the Mord'Sith glanced at him. He could barely see out the swollen eye he'd gotten for accidentally disrespecting the Mord'Sith a few days earlier.

Kahlan sighed. She turned to the woman from town. "Thank you. Do you know how many there are?"

"A dozen or so."

"So," Kahlan began as the woman left, "What's the plan?"

"We kill them, simple. We've fought more D'Harans at once before."

Kahlan crossed her arms. "And when they get back up in a few minutes?"

"We kill them again."

"Not if they don't have bodies."

Everyone looked at the Mord'Sith, but understanding only lit Zedd's eyes.

A blonde eyebrow arched and she jerked a thumb toward him. "Does he not shoot fire from his hands?"

"I'm standing right here!"

"Sadly."

"If you forgot your arrogance, perhaps you could appreciate the complicated nature of magic and its—"

"That's not an option."

Kahlan frowned at Richard. "Why's that?"

He looked between her and Cara, as though the answer was obvious.

"Tch." Cara thrust Flynn's rope into Richard's hands and shouldered past him. "Dirt, stay by the wizard's side while he shoots fire. If you find the plan sound, care to be distracting with me, Confessor?"

"It's your turn to be bait, but I agree."

They followed Cara, leaving Richard behind. Zedd gave him a sad look as they disappeared into the trees. Richard made a strangled noise.

"What'd you do to piss them off?"

Richard rounded on him, fist sending Flynn to the ground. "You don't deserve to speak to me, got it?"

Flynn nodded.

Richard dragged him along through the trees, his lips in a tight line. The sounds of battle reached his ears and his pace quickened. Soon, he saw everything.

His blood screamed. His vision blackened for a second.

The fight was half over, Dirt staving off a D'Haran while Zedd blasted another with fire.

Richard dropped Flynn's rope as his eyes landed on Cara and Kahlan.

The pair was by the tomb itself with seven opponents. Kahlan ducked under a D'Haran blade as Cara spun around her, elbow crashing into the same D'Haran. Kahlan rose, gutting him. Agiels screamed, viciously hitting another man until he dropped. Kahlan, behind her, perfectly blocked a man's strikes and cut his throat. They pressed against the loose circle they'd found themselves in, testing the men surrounding them. Then Cara lashed out, and Kahlan engaged the baneling beside her, the two of them creating a fury of red and white. Together, they fought, and together they moved as if aware of the other, as if it was them against the world itself.

Richard stormed over, hate darkening his eyes. He drew his sword and ran it through the last D'Haran in the same moment. Glaring at Cara, he slammed the sword into its scabbard and went back to Flynn. As Zedd destroyed the last of the bodies, Richard yanked Flynn to the tomb and shoved him.

"Open it."

"Richard—" Kahlan stopped at his sharp look.

Cara stepped just behind her, watching him intently.

Zedd finished his task as Flynn did, and came over. "My boy—"

Richard threw Flynn aside and reached into the small opening in the old stone. He pulled out a palm-sized artifact and shook it at Cara. "I am the Seeker of Truth. Kahlan is my Confessor, dedicated to my life. I stand by her, not you."

"You don't deserve it," Cara hissed, fingers tightening on her agiel.

Kahlan took a step toward him, her eyes a dark blue. "Do not speak of me like your property, Seeker."

"You're not yourself! This Mord'Sith is poisoning you. Stay by me, Kahlan." His voice fell, desperate, and his shoulders slumped. "Stay by me, my love, my Kahlan."

A terrible sound ripped out of Kahlan and she jerked forward, stopped only by Cara's sudden grip on her arm.

Dirt shadowed them.

"Richard," Zedd started.

"Don't you see it, Zedd?" Richard turned his gaze to Kahlan again. "Why are you being this way? You're not yourself. You wouldn't do this to your Seeker, to me. We're to be wed," his voice cracked.

Richard looked down at the compass in his hands, anger mixing with the sadness in his eyes. He opened it.

As he stared at the script lining it, nothing happened.

"What is this, Zedd?" He shook it, his fury beginning anew. "Why isn't it working? I'm the one, true Seeker! Destiny itself speaks of me!" He grabbed his head and screamed, falling to a knee. He shook his head as if to rid himself of something.

"What is it?" Zedd moved to him, concern taking over anything he felt before.

"My head… feels like it's splitting."

"Perhaps your stupidity is to blame."

Richard pitched the compass at Cara, almost falling as he did. "This is your fault!"

"Do not throw things at me, child," she growled.

"Richard."

He cut off Zedd's words, screaming at Cara, "What do you want with her? You belong to me, but you cling to my Confessor." He staggered to his feet, gripping his sword. "I should kill you. You're a broken tool. Useless."

As hate flared in his eyes, freely flowed from him, so it did in their bond, and Cara grimaced.

"Kneel." He spoke from an instinct only old magic could create.

The Mord'Sith's entire body twitched.

"Richard Cypher, stop," Kahlan warned, her fingers curling a little, "Now."

He ignored her. The power in his voice thickened the air. "I said kneel, Mord'Sith!"

Pain filled the bond, screamed against her senses, pierced her skin. It was like feeling a dozen agiels for the first time, like being trampled by a horse, like magic itself tearing off skin. She couldn't stop jerking and twitching, but she kept her feet. Cara spat blood between them, spoke through clenched teeth, "You're a bitch compared to your brother."

As his face twisted, Kahlan's fist struck him. He stumbled.

Cara gasped for air as his concentration broke.

"Do it again and I'll kill you, Seeker."

Zedd got between them. "Stop, all of you!"

Richard shoved him aside, blinking violently as he briefly held his temple. "Move, Kahlan. I won't tell you twice."

Dark blue eyes burned into his. "You aren't worth my name."

The Sword of Truth left its scabbard with blinding quickness. It glowed red.

Dirt and Zedd screamed.

The blue rapidly started to fade from Kahlan's eyes.

He swung like lightning.

The sword bounced off an invisible barrier inches in front of Cara's sudden appearance. It shook between them as Richard struggled against the Mord'Sith's will, and the red of the blade intensified.

"Drop it or I'll kill you," she whispered.

He did, and stepped in to uppercut her, but an agiel flashed to his temple.

The Seeker convulsed on the ground and screamed agony, clawing at his head as though trying to rip off his pain.

As Zedd went to him, Kahlan couldn't help turning to Cara, to a perfect example of what it was to be Mord'Sith. Still, the woman's predatory gaze watched the Seeker and her body remained tense, ready. Ready to strike down what should be her Lord Rahl in order to ensure the safety of the Mother Confessor. "You must've still been in pain."

Cara regarded her, confusion and something like hate in her hard eyes.

Kahlan's lips parted, but instead of speaking, she only touched Cara's wrist.

Dirt pivoted, hand on his sword.

Cara eyed the three women hurrying toward them.

"Sisters of the Light," Kahlan breathed.

The leading Sister faltered when she looked into Kahlan's eyes, but she recovered, nodding to the woman next to her. She rushed forward.

Cara shifted slightly in front of Kahlan, oblivious to the Confessor's expression.

Zedd hesitated to let the Sister touch his shaking grandson.

"His magic is awakening, causing his headaches and doubling with his blood. Please."

A deep frown creased his brow, but he nodded. The Sister put her hands over Richard's on his head, moving with him as he writhed. As the contact continued, his movements slowed, and her face started to twist. Blood began to drip from her nose.

Richard opened his eyes.

In an attempt to stand, the Sister swayed, and fell.

Frantically, the Seeker went to her, and his shoulders slumped. "She's dead."

"As you will be if you do not come with us."

"What?"

Kahlan stepped around Cara. "Who are you exactly?"

Zedd came to the Confessor's side.

"I am Sister Verna." She bowed her head before gesturing beside herself. "This is Sister Elizabeth. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mother Confessor."

"Likewise."

"What do you mean, I'll die if I don't go with you?"

A tired smile came to Sister Verna's face. "For twenty years, we've searched for the Son of Brennidon. Richard Cypher-Rahl, of the Zorrander and Rahl bloodlines. Your magic will kill you if you do not master it."

"I'm no wizard. Even if you were telling the truth, I have to help repair the Veil."

The lines of Verna's face formed a tight frown. She stepped toward him. "Mind your tongue, boy. Twenty years. Twenty years of our lives just looking for you. Sister Grace died alleviating your pain. And you call me a liar?"

Kahlan stared at Cara, silently asking why she'd twitched.

The Mord'Sith refused her gaze.

"We have to find the Stone of Tears. If this is true, it can wait. She healed me, you said so yourself."

"Ask your grandfather how sound that is. Go ahead."

Zedd's almost broken expression spoke for him.

"The pain will return, worse than before. You will save no one."

He looked to Kahlan, desperate.

"Her words are true," she said quietly.

"Sister Elizabeth."

She nodded to Verna. Her hand drew a dacra and plunged it into her own chest.

As nearly everyone recoiled and Richard yelled, Verna spoke calmly. "Do you doubt us still? We have little time if you're raising your sword to your comrades."

He flinched, shame crossing his features. In the silence, he could think of no argument, and almost hated himself for even trying. He glanced at Kahlan, at his love, at the woman he'd almost killed. His gaze fell, a sick feeling tearing apart his stomach.

"I will wait in the town as you say your goodbyes." She turned on her heel, either uncaring of any objections or simply knowing there wouldn't be any.

Zedd's hand came down on his shoulder and squeezed. "We'll be okay, my boy. Do make me proud."

He looked up at his grandfather and nodded. "I will, Zedd. I promise."

As he approached Kahlan, Cara picked up the Sword of Truth and went to retrieve the compass with a grunt of annoyance.

Kahlan grasped his arm, both to reassure him and keep him from hugging her. She frowned.

"Hey," he said softly, "It'll be okay. And I'm, I'm so sorry. I don't even know how to apologize for what this has done to me. To you. You don't deserve it. I am so sorry, Kahlan. I'm sorry for how I've been. I'll spend my life making it up to you after they make me better. I'll be back before you know it."

"I understand."

He swallowed, obvious in his disappointment about her response. Hesitantly, he touched her face.

"Be safe, Richard."

"I will." Then he was leaning in, and he kissed her, gentle and full of promise. "I love you, Kahlan."

She smiled, tears beginning to pool in her eyes.

He unbuckled the Sword of Truth's scabbard from his waist and gave it to Kahlan.

Cara stared at him as he came to her, expression blank, empty.

"I'm sorry to you, too." He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. Richard held out his hand. "Protect her with your life for me, please." He dropped his hand when she didn't move. "I have no favors to ask of you, but, please. Kahlan's everything to me."

She answered him with a stiff nod.

With one last look and a sad wave, Richard left.

From then till the time Flynn happily went his way and they'd set up camp, Cara hadn't said a word. Something bounced against her hip and she blinked down at the item. She removed the compass from her belt and wrapped her fingers around it, a familiar ache settling into her hand. She'd clenched it in her grip for too long already since Richard's departure. She opened it, staring at the inscription that seemed familiar to her, and gently touched the blue orb. This would guide them to the Stone of Tears, allow the Veil to be fixed and restore order to the world. She shut it. Even though Zedd was settling into his bedroll, she went over and placed it in his pack.

He murmured his thanks, eyes closing.

Long after the wizard started snoring, Cara stared into their fire, not feeling like staring into the dark of the woods around them.

"What's upsetting you? Was it Sister Grace?"

She didn't move as Kahlan left her bedroll and sat beside her, within arm's reach.

"Only my sister didn't mind my touch."

Cara's gaze sank to the ground. She flexed her fingers.

"Even Confessors, well, I guess you could say even we flinch at each other."

Still, Cara didn't say anything.

"It's okay to talk about things, you know. It's human. If you do, I'm listening, and I won't ever breathe a word of it to anyone. Even Mord'Sith feel things, even if it's just pride or whatever nonsense you listed as acceptable." She sighed, watching the fire dance before them. "Richard kissed me."

Silence.

"You were right," Kahlan said softly.

Cara glanced at her.

"I don't love him."

A/N: I was wondering the other day about a concept. Can Kahlan love Cara as a Mord'Sith? Then I realized this story is an exploration of that.

Anyway, I hope you guys liked it. I'll see you next time.