Chapter 13
Streams of golden morning sunlight poured through the windows of the Palace as Richard made his way to Michael's room to check on him as had become his daily routine since all of this had first begun. He tried to settle the dark storm that still rolled through him, the foul mood that had taken over since last night, but it refused to be ignored.
It was all he could do at that moment not to let go of his building fury, to find the representatives from the Midlands and tear them to shreds, but he had made a promise to Kahlan that he would not harm them.
He could feel his rage screaming deep from within and begging for release, simmering just beneath the surface threatening to take control. He had just met with Commander Holland, finally getting the full details of what had happened during the meeting last night.
Kahlan had returned after the meeting more upset than he had seen her in a long time. She hadn't told him much; only that Frinhill and Backus were no longer the men that she had known them to be. Knowing how they had reacted to her at their last meeting, he could only guess last night at what had happened during this one.
It had hurt him to see her so deeply shaken like that and not be able to fix it for her. Instead, he had just held her, stroked her hair as she cried, reassuring her best he could. He had told her how much he loved her and how proud he was to be married to the amazing Mother Confessor, how honored he was that she had chosen him to help her rebuild the line of Confessors. She had finally quieted, falling asleep in his arms, clutching him tightly as if he were her only lifeline.
Richard decided at that moment that it had probably been a good thing that he hadn't been there at that meeting or there would have been two less representatives to deal with. Holland had admitted to him as well this morning that he'd had a very difficult time holding his tongue and keeping his sword sheathed during the private deliberation.
They had caused her to doubt her abilities as the Mother Confessor, second guess the decisions that she had made. They had accused her of putting her own desires above the concerns of the people that she had sworn to protect and lead, the very people she loved.
Richard knew that Kahlan didn't regret for one moment falling in love with him, marrying him and making a family together. They had been destined for one another. Nothing could come between them and the life that they were meant to share together.
These men were just going to have to learn to accept that she was not only the Mother Confessor, but the Lady Rahl of D'Hara now, her responsibilities expanding far beyond the borders of the Midlands.
He knew how it broke Kahlan's heart to see her people suffering, to be forced to watch them make foolish decisions that would only lead to their destruction. It wasn't so much their cruelty to her that hurt her so much, but knowing how these men were condemning their very own people to a fate that could be avoided if they would only listen.
She had always been so selfless, never caring or worrying about herself for even a moment, but always more concerned about the welfare of others. He loved that about her, had sworn to himself long ago that he would always take care of her, protecting her at all cost.
Clenching his jaw, Richard's hand absentmindedly fell to the hilt of his sword, his fingers caressing the deadly steel that hung at the ready at his hip. He was itching to draw it, to be inundated with the powerful magic it possessed. He could already feel the faint warm tingle radiating up his arm, mingling with his own fury.
Drawing the sword would only cause it to explode within him with no one to pour his wraith out onto. He couldn't afford to do that right now no matter how desperate he was to punish the men who had hurt Kahlan.
Besides, she had made him promise this morning not to do anything about it. They were beyond reasoning with and a confrontation would only lead to even more hostilities right now. She had also reminded him that Paige and Priya's celebration was tomorrow. She didn't want any more trouble stirred up until after their party was over.
Tomorrow was about her family, her twin daughters. She wasn't about to let anything interfere with that. After tomorrow, though, they would finally deal with the representatives.
Richard didn't know how he was going to be able to stand seeing those men at the celebration tomorrow. It was going to take every bit of patience he could possibly muster to keep from choking the life out of those men.
Unfortunately, all of the dignitaries and ambassadors currently at the People's Palace had been invited to join in the festivities. Evidently, according to Kahlan, it was customary in these sorts of situations regardless of the hostilities between them right now.
He was more than thankful for her training in protocol and diplomacy. It was not something that he had learned as a woods guide in Hartland. He was still getting used to his role as Lord Rahl, learning as he went and leaning on her for guidance.
Despite his anger, Richard couldn't help the smile that suddenly tugged at the corners of his mouth. Kahlan had told him that she would confess both Frinhill and Backus in less than a heartbeat if either one of them stepped the slightest bit out of line during her daughters' party. He almost secretly hoped one of them would try something. He wouldn't be happy until they were confessed or physically removed from the territory.
Suddenly noticing Garren up ahead, Richard quickened his pace. Despite what Kahlan and Nicci thought, he still wanted Garren and Holland to be on alert. He wasn't about to take any chances when it came to his family.
"Garren," he called.
The tall Commander came to a stop, turning to find Richard coming towards him. "Lord Rahl," he formally greeted him with a grin and a deep flourishing bow. "How are you this fine morning, my Lord?"
"You know you don't have to call me that," he smirked despite his foul mood as he came to a stop beside Garren, amused by his first in command's sarcastic sense of humor. He and Cara were definitely made for each other.
"I know," he shrugged. "But it just only seems proper when we're out in public."
"How's Cara this morning? Any change?" he asked.
"No, no change yet," he replied with a sigh. "I don't know which of us is more anxious for this baby to come – her or me."
"Knowing the both of you like I do, I'm sure that it's probably a tossup," the Seeker lightly chuckled.
"True," he smiled broadly, his gray eyes sparkling with amusement.
Richard suddenly grew serious again, his anger returning. "I need you and Holland to keep an eye out for a woman for me."
"I don't think Kahlan would be too pleased to learn about this, Lord Rahl," Garren teased, his dark eyebrows rising in mock surprise. "The ConDar might rear its jealous head. Could be the last we ever see of you."
Richard shook his head as he fought back a grin. "Yes it most definitely would, but she is not for me," he replied. "I think there's a woman who is following Kahlan for some reason. Kahlan has seen her in the marketplace three times now and may be involved in the murder of an elderly woman in the city."
Garren's easygoing demeanor immediately turned serious, his protectiveness of the Mother Confessor taking over. "What does this woman look like?"
"She has straight silver hair, unusual brown eyes, very beautiful," Richard informed him as he tried to remember how Kahlan and Nicci had described her. "She's very elusive. Kahlan tried to find her, but the woman quickly disappeared into the crowd before she could talk to her."
Garren felt a sudden nagging tug at the back of his mind as he listened to Richard. This was sounding so familiar for some reason and yet he couldn't figure out why. He felt an uneasy feeling slowing wash through him, causing his stomach to churn.
Richard noticed the sudden change in Garren's expression, his apprehension rising. "What is it? Have you seen her somewhere before?"
"I'm not sure," he muttered, slowly shaking his head. "This sounds…familiar, but I don't know why."
Richard studied him for a long moment, concerned about his friend. It wasn't like him to have lapses in memory like this. He was always so sharp, his memory for people and events almost uncanny at times.
"Do you think that you may have seen her here in the Palace?" he asked, panic beginning to rise at the thought of this woman being so close to his family. There was no telling what she was up to or what she was truly capable of.
"I…I don't know…" he murmured, rubbing his forehead as he fought to remember. It was unsettling to know that something may have happened, but not being able to recall exactly what. "Now that I think about it, I don't remember everything that happened last evening as I was finishing my rounds of the Palace."
"What do you mean you don't remember?"
"I know I was doing my rounds, but then…nothing," he shook his head. "Next thing I remember is being in my quarters with Cara."
"Do you think you saw this woman last evening?"
"I honestly don't know," he muttered, bewildered. "I'm sorry, Richard, but I just don't know."
"It's alright, my friend," Richard replied, squeezing the larger man's shoulder in reassurance. "Just be on the lookout for her. If you find her, be careful around her. I don't know what she's capable of yet. If you did see her last night and you don't remember it, then she must possess powerful magic of some sort."
"I'll talk to Holland, make sure that he's aware," Garren informed him. "We'll put all of our men on guard for her."
"I want this kept as quiet as possible," he instructed him. "She is definitely up to something. I don't want this woman to find out that we're aware of her presence or that we know that she has an agenda of some sort."
Garren's fist found his chest in salute. "It will be done."
Richard shook his head in amusement at his formal salute. "And let me know if you happen to remember what happened last night."
"You will be the first to know."
Walking away, Richard couldn't ignore the dreadful knot that had suddenly settled in the pit of his stomach. If this woman was in the Palace, it was only a matter of time before she found her way to Kahlan or their children.
XXX
Riding through the narrow mountain pass, Sister Deryn could scarcely believe how much closer they were to finding the cure that her son required, the help that Frederick so desperately needed. She just hoped that Caelinus would be willing to help them.
Despite Zedd's reassurances otherwise last night, she couldn't help the unsettling feeling that he wasn't quite telling her everything. There had been something in his eyes that had told her that there could be possible trouble ahead for them, trouble that he didn't want to her worry about.
All she knew was that they were not leaving until they had what they had come for. She didn't come all this way, risking her life for her son just to have some old wizard refuse to help them. She wouldn't stand for it. He was either going to tell them what they needed to do to save them or he was coming back with them to do it himself.
Glancing to the man riding in front of her, she was relieved that they had been able to leave just after dawn. Frederick had woken early this morning feeling much better than when they had first arrived. She had been more than afraid that they were going to have to leave him behind in the care of the tavern keeper in order to go in search of Caelinus. Fortunately, he had regained a measure of his strength, allowing him to continue on their journey with them.
Tilting her face skyward, Deryn momentarily closed her eyes, thankful for the sun shining brightly, the warmth of its rays on her skin. She had grown tired of the cold and the snow that still held the mountains hostage. There was a fine dusting of snow on the ground here, but nothing like what they'd had to pass through before reaching the lower setting Lo'Gaire Mountains.
"How are you holding up, Frederick?" Zedd asked, checking on the man riding beside him.
"Much better than yesterday thanks to you," he smiled.
"And you'll tell us next time you feel another spell like that coming on, right?"
Frederick chuckled softly at the Wizard's gentle scolding. "Yes, Zedd," he replied like an obedient child. "I promise to warn you next time."
"No need for bravery or heroics with us, my friend," he informed him. "You tell us if you need to rest."
"I just don't want to be the one who holds us up from finding Caelinus," he admitted. "Michael needs a cure right away. I don't want to be the reason he doesn't get it in time."
"You're important too," Deryn informed him from behind. "Yes, I desperately want to save my son, but we must still try to save you as well."
"Besides that, I don't want to be the one who has to go back and tell my granddaughter that I didn't take very good care of her father," Zedd groused. "That girl will have my head on a platter."
Frederick and Zedd both chuckled in amusement, both knowing how feisty Kahlan was. They both knew better than to cross the Mother Confessor.
"So what did you learn from the towns people about Caelinus?" Deryn suddenly asked, deciding not to evade the issue any longer.
Zedd stroked his chin in thought, pondering how much to actually divulge to his companions. "Well, everyone told me basically the same thing," the old Wizard began. "He stays to himself up here in the mountain. Never comes into town. No one goes to see him."
"That's a sad, lonely existence," Frederick frowned. "He's probably not going to be too thrilled to see us if he doesn't have visitors."
"It was mentioned by one woman that we would be blessed by the good spirits if we actually caught a glimpse of the man," Zedd admitted.
"Why did he come here? Did something happen that forced him into seclusion like this?" Deryn asked.
"A couple of seasons before I left Aydindril for Westland, Caelinus had begun some experiments with potions and healing. He was working to discover ways to reverse diseases especially those brought on through magical warfare, but the other wizards at the time felt it was a foolish waste of time."
"How could something like that be a foolish waste of time?" Frederick asked, puzzled.
"You have to understand things were different back then," Zedd began with a ragged sigh as his mind suddenly began to drag him back to a time that he'd much rather forget than relive. He had no choice, though. Lives were at stake. "Many of the wizards had grown greedy, selfish. They would no longer listen to reason, believing that they knew best how the Midlands was supposed to be run."
The bitter tone that pervaded the Wizard's voice was obvious. "That's why you left the Midlands?" Frederick inquired.
"Partly," Zedd replied, his body stiffening with the onslaught of embittered memories. The painful loss of his beloved wife Erilyn had always remained very close to his heart even after all of these years.
Glancing to the man sitting in his saddle, Frederick could see flashes of pain pass through his weathered face as vividly as if the past itself were suddenly playing out before them for all to see. He decided it was best not ask any more questions.
He too had things from his past, dreadful things that he'd sooner leave buried than to be forced to relive them. Zedd obviously had them too.
"Did Caelinus have much success in his experiments?" Deryn asked, interrupting the sudden silence.
"He was beginning to," Zedd said, directing his horse around a rock jutting out, narrowing the pass even further. "Unfortunately, he didn't stay to finish his work. He grew angry with the selfishness of the other wizards, their lack of vision. They were too consumed with greed so Caelinus left, never to return."
Frederick shook his head in dismay. "And he's been here ever since then?"
"He moved as far away from Aydindril as he could without moving to the Old World," he continued. "He wanted to be left alone to live out his life away from the Wizard's Keep."
"Well, this is about as secluded as a person can get," Deryn frowned, scanning their solitary surroundings. There was nothing up here but more mountains, more nothing.
"Let's just hope he continued his research after he left Aydindril," Frederick replied, worry filling his voice.
"Knowing Caelinus like I do, he could never truly stop," Zedd reassured them. "Using his magic to help others has always been his passion, his life's dream. You can't ignore what's in your heart no matter how hard you try even when you're angry.
"I tried to ignore my duties, what I knew deep in my heart that I had to do, but I couldn't. Life has a funny way of directing you back to what you were meant to do."
Deryn's brow narrowed in thought. "If Wizard Caelinus has given up his life's work, I'll be more than happy to direct him back to what he was meant to do."
"I have no doubt that you could," Zedd chuckled softly.
"I think we may have just found what we have been looking for," Frederick suddenly announced, pointing to the distance.
Zedd and Deryn looked to see a small cabin in the distance nestled in the protective embrace of the surrounding mountains. It sat snugly in a small valley, a patch of trees on either side of it shading it from the heat of the sun.
Deryn felt her heart leap into her throat, tears pooling in her pale green eyes. They were finally here. She had no doubt that Caelinus could help her son, help Frederick. The question was…would he? The thought made her heart sink just as quickly.
A sudden flapping sound filled the air, causing them all to come to a sudden stop. Deryn quickly looked overhead, a gasp of terror escaping her throat.