Chapter 15

Walking through the village hand in hand with his Confessor, Richard couldn't quite help the small flicker of hope that had sparked inside of him or the smile that pulled at the corners of his mouth. Kahlan had thankfully slept hours without any nightmares, her headache seemed a little better, and although she still wouldn't talk to him about her struggles and hurts, she was at least letting him hold her hand.

Even though he wanted so much more with her, he was thrilled that she was allowing him this. He couldn't take her pulling away from him or shutting him completely out. That wasn't something he could survive.

He needed her in his life, couldn't go a day without seeing her smile, touching her soft skin or just gazing into her piercing blue eyes that seemed to know every inch of him inside and out. She was the reason he lived, breathed.

He hadn't known that love could ever be like this until her. Love that he'd thought that he'd had with other girls in the past in Hartland had turned out to be nothing more than just silly little crushes. This…this was love and so very much more.

What he felt for Kahlan went so far beyond the simple bounds of just love, meant something far greater to him. What he felt for this woman, what lived and breathed within the very core of his being for her made the word love seem so very inadequate. Living without her was unacceptable, unimaginable, nearly taking his legs out from beneath him with just the despairing thought alone.

Glancing at her now, he was struck once more by her beauty and the grace with which she moved, the way the sun glistened in her hair, the familiar curve of her face and the gentle curl of her lips. He longed to kiss her, to pull her somewhere private where he could just touch her, kiss her the way that he was so desperate to.

He reluctantly pulled his gaze from her, knowing that he couldn't allow himself to do that or allow his thoughts to wander down that path. His need for her was hard enough to keep control of sometimes without feeding it, without tormenting himself with what he would love to do to her and with her. It filled his dreams every night as it was.

He kept reminding himself that Kahlan just needed some time to sort through everything that she had been through. They had both been forced to endure unimaginable pain and separation from each other. He couldn't expect her to just be alright after being tortured and enduring Creator only knows what at his evil brother's hands in the Underworld.

Richard swore to himself that he would be there with her every step of the way, being her strength and listening when she was ready to talk. He would hold her, comfort her, and be her friend as best he could. He just prayed that she would see in time that his love was enough, that he would be protected from her magic.

He had finally discovered the key to loving her and he couldn't even act on it yet. But he would be patient, waiting for as long as necessary for her. For her, he would do anything.

Casting a sidelong glance at her handsome Seeker walking at her side, Kahlan couldn't help the small smile that reached her lips. There was a look of peace about him that had been missing since she had awoken in his arms at the People's Palace. Even though she knew his anger still simmered just beneath the surface, it seemed as if he had been able to get a hold of it again.

She knew that she had put him through so much more than he ever deserved, bringing him unspeakable pain. She couldn't do that to him again no matter how much she hurt inside, despite the need for him that ate away at her soul.

Their eyes suddenly met for a brief moment, causing a flutter to erupt in her stomach as she quickly averted her gaze. Spirits, what this man did to her just with a single look, a lingering touch. She longed to kiss him, to give every bit of herself to him, at last holding nothing back from him.

She wanted so badly to believe that Richard was right, that his love would protect him from her, but she just couldn't take that chance. The cost was too high, her selfish pleasure not worth the risk to her Seeker's soul.

She absentmindedly rubbed her forehead, the headache threatening to make itself known again. It was always there, lingering just beneath the surface only to erupt and attack with a fierceness that stole her breath away.

It felt like something else was lingering there in the darkest depths of her mind as well, something sinister and twisted, invading and tormenting, threatening to steal her sanity. She feared that it was Darken Rahl, that he had somehow managed to follow her in her mind into the world of the living.

The thought caused her to shiver with overwhelming dread. The thought of him touching her was horrifying, but living in her mind like this was inconceivable. She ground her teeth in anger at the thought of never being rid of him. It was bad enough the things that he had done to her in the Underworld, what he had been about to do to her. Now, there was no telling what he could do to torment her.

Sensing a sudden change in her, Richard pulled her to stop. "Is the headache coming back?" he asked, his brow revealing his concern. "We can go back to the Spirit House if you want."

"No, I'm alright," she shook her head with an attempt at a reassuring smile that fell flat. "I don't want to go back there yet. I like being out here with you."

Her words lifted his heart and yet he could see the headache returning in her eyes. "Here, eat another seed," he said, pulling one from his vest pocket and placing it in the palm of her hand.

She took it without argument confirming his suspicions. He watched as she chewed the seed, the grimace on her face telling him how horrible it tasted as she attempted to swallow it down. He waited for a few moments to see if she needed another one.

Odo had stopped by the Spirit House this morning to check on her while she had been sleeping, providing him with more seeds just in case she had needed them. The Seeker had been more than grateful. They had unfortunately depleted a good portion of their supply during the night just to keep the headache at bay.

He owed Odo and Tolla Nakunam so much for helping them, for helping Kahlan. He had been at his wits' end trying to help her, sick with worry over what was happening. He knew she was still far from alright yet, but at least the headaches weren't as relentless as they had been. That alone had brought him a small measure of comfort.

He couldn't bear to see her suffering in such agonizing pain. He knew firsthand what she was going through and it nearly killed him to have to sit by and watch her try to endure it. Now, he knew how helpless Kahlan had felt watching him suffer like this.

Thankfully, his headaches had been related to his powerful magic and been dealt with when he went to the Palace of the Prophets. With Kahlan, on the other hand, they had no idea what was causing them or how to even stop them.

Richard couldn't help the sick feeling of dread inside that magic was at the root of all of this. It chilled him to the very marrow of his bones just to think of it.

"Better?" he finally asked after several long moments.

Kahlan drew a deep breath, nodding with relief. "Yes, it's passing again," she admitted.

"We have to find out what is causing this," he shook his head in frustration. "You can't go on like this, having to eat seeds all the time just to be able to stand up or even function. I hate seeing you like this."

"Hopefully, Zedd will be able to figure out what's causing it when they finally meet up with us," she replied.

"If Cara hasn't killed him first," Richard sighed.

Kahlan suddenly turned her head to the side, something catching her attention. Her forehead immediately creased causing Richard to worry. "What is it?"

"Do you smell smoke?"

Richard turned as well, trying to discover where the smell was coming from. "It's think it's coming from over that way," he nodded with his head. "It's probably just a cooking fire."

A scream suddenly filled the air, causing them both to take off in a dead run. Dodging around huts, they followed the trail of dark gray smoke spilling from somewhere in the distance. People began running in all directions as panic quickly gripped the village.

Shouts and cries could be heard from all over as Richard and Kahlan drew near, smoke filling the area making it difficult to see. Coming around a corner, they found a large hut in flames, a woman standing outside crying hysterically.

"My babies!" the woman screamed frantically as another woman pulled her back from the flaming hut, keeping her from going in after them.

Without a second thought, Kahlan took off towards the hut, running directly into the flames and disappearing into the thick smoke before Richard had a chance to stop her.

"Kahlan!" Richard yelled as he raced in to follow her, only to be brought to a sudden stop by the frantic woman.

"You have to save my daughters!" she sobbed, tugging on his sleeve. "Please! Save my babies!"

"Stay here," he told her, prying her fingers from his shirt. He had to get to Kahlan. She was in no shape to be running into a burning house like that. "I'll get your children out. How many are there?"

"Two little girls," she cried, clutching at his shirt sleeve again. "Please, save my babies!"

Kahlan quickly covered her mouth and nose with her hand as she searched for the children trapped within the burning hut. Pieces of the thatched roof began to crumble as it succumbed to the flames, crashing in on top of her and adding to the swirling chaos around them.

She could barely make out the children's cries over the roaring of the flames the surrounded her. She began to cough, squinting as she fought to see through the smoke that burned her eyes. She quickly raised an arm in a futile attempt to protect her face from the heat of the flames that threatened to consume her as well.

Breaking free of the woman, Richard raced inside, frantically searching for Kahlan. He immediately grabbed a fistful of his shirt and pulled it up to cover his mouth and nose as he dodged a piece of the roof that suddenly gave way above him. Everything was engulfed in flames by now, growing hotter with every moment that slipped by.

"Kahlan!" he screamed for her, receiving no response.

He began to cough from the choking smoke that threatened to stop him from moving deeper inside the large structure. He forced his way through despite the fierce inferno, desperate to find Kahlan and the children and get them out of here.

Turning, Richard suddenly spotted movement in the far corner of the hut. Racing towards them, he was relieved to see Kahlan with two small children in her arms. Reaching her, he quickly snatched one of the children before grabbing her around the waist and dragging her towards the entrance.

"Richard, watch out!" Kahlan screamed, shoving him aside just as a large portion of the roof caved in.

Stumbling, the Seeker quickly righted himself, cradling the small child against his chest to keep the smoke out of her face. "Come on!" he yelled to her to follow him as he turned towards the door.

Protectively holding the child against him, Richard raced outside, breathing heavily as the mother ran to him, frantically pulling her daughter out of his arms as she cried her gratitude to the Seeker. Turning around, Richard found that Kahlan was no longer behind him.

Panic seized him as he immediately ran towards the door, knowing she couldn't survive in there much longer with all of that smoke. Reaching the door, he was suddenly forced back by a violent crash as the entrance collapsed directly in front of him, forcing him back.

With a deadly scream of rage, Richard drew his sword, hacking at the hut with all of his strength in an effort to make a way of escape. His chest was heaving, his eyes stinging with tears from the thick smoke that continued to roll out of the flaming structure as he worked to free his Confessor.

"Kahlan!" he frantically screamed for her, desperate for her to hear him.

Stepping back, he nearly fell to his knees as Kahlan suddenly raced outside with the second child tucked safely against her chest. Her face was streaked with soot, her eyes red. She was coughing violently as she dropped to her knees in exhaustion.

The mother quickly snatched her other daughter out of the Mother Confessor's arms, tears streaming down her face as she backed away. Kahlan fought to catch her breath as she continued to cough, tears slipping down her cheeks as she knelt on the ground choking for every breath she drew. Her fingers curled into the dirt as she fought to calm her pounding heart.

Richard raced to her, falling down in front of her and pulling her into his arms. "Kahlan," he murmured in relief as he took her face into his hands. "Are you alright?"

"Yes…I think so…" she managed to choke out between coughs and gasps for air.

Kahlan suddenly pulled from his hold on her and leapt to her feet, her anger flaring hotly as she stormed towards the mother comfortin her two little girls in her arms. "How did this happen?" she demanded to know.

"I…I don't know…" the mother stammered, curling her body even further around her daughters. "I…I just…stepped outside for a moment…and then…"

Kahlan glared at her, her hand twitching with the fury within, wanting to confess the woman for her negligence. "You should never have…" Kahlan began to yell when Richard abruptly grabbed her from around the waist and pulled her away.

"Kahlan, stop!" he heatedly said, dragging her away from the frightened mother. "What are you doing?"

Kahlan spun on him, leveling her heated glare on him, her chest heaving. Her eyes were practically glowing with the extent of her fury. It caused a shiver of dread to race through him as he gazed into her eyes. It was like he was looking into the eyes of someone else, someone who was not his Kahlan.

"If she hadn't left those small children alone…" she sneered, pointing behind her at the woman.

"Kahlan, I know," he said, forcefully grasping hold of her shoulders to keep her focus on him. "It's alright now. It was just an accident."

"But…those children..." she growled, trying desperately to keep a tight grip on her magic threatening to tear right through her. "Richard…"

"Kahlan, calm down," he tried to soothe her. "Everyone is alright. No one was hurt."

Just then a firm hand on his shoulder pulled his attention away from Kahlan. Turning, he found himself staring into Tolla Nakunam's tear-filled eyes. "Seeker," Tolla softly said. "How can I begin to repay you for saving my children?"

"There is nothing to repay, Tolla," he replied. "I'm just glad we were here to help."

"You both ran into a fire to save two children that weren't even your own," he shook his head in disbelief. "Outsiders would never do that for us."

"We would do it for anyone," he reassured him. "I'm just relieved we were able to get them out in time and that they're safe."

"I owe you my life," he swallowed hard.

"And we owe you ours," the Seeker reminded him.

Looking past him, Richard noticed Temin and Hadi standing off to the side of the gathered crowd, their spears tightly in hand. The hard look on Hadi's face caused him to pause, a sudden sense of unease drifting over him. There was something about the man that he didn't like, leaving him on edge. He was going to have to keep an eye on him.

"Are you alright?" Odo asked, pushing his way through the crowd.

"I think so, but you should check on Kahlan," Richard told the healer. "She was inside longer than I was."

"Confessor Kahlan," Odo frowned. "You don't look so good."

"I'll be alright," she said, her angry suddenly diminishing. "Could just use a bath right now."

"I'd be more than happy to escort the both of you to the hidden hot springs," Odo announced. "You can bathe there."

"And then tonight, you will be our guests in a special feast in honor of saving the children," Mitta added, coming to stand beside the healer.

"You don't need to go to all that trouble," Richard replied. "We were just happy that we could help."

"It's no trouble at all," Mitta insisted, smiling for the first time since they had met her. "It will be a great privilege to have a celebration tonight for you after what you just did for us."

"Thank you," Richard said. "We would be honored."

While Richard talked to Mitta, Odo pulled Kahlan away from the Seeker for a moment. "Are you sure you are alright, Confessor Kahlan?" he asked. "I can tell your spirit is still very sick though you try hard to hide it."

"The seeds have been very helpful," she told him. "I can't thank you enough for them."

"But there is more going on than just the headaches," Odo pressed. "I can see it in your eyes."

Kahlan sighed deeply. "Yes, but I don't think you can help. I'm not sure that anyone can help me."

"If needed, we can call a gathering with our ancestors' spirits," he informed her. "They might be able to help find out what's wrong with you."

"Thank you, but I'm sure I'll be fine," she murmured, feeling Richard's arm suddenly snake around her waist.

"Let's go get you cleaned up," Richard said. "You should rest before the celebration tonight."

"You look like you could use some cleaning up yourself," she murmured in an attempt to lighten the mood, averting her gaze away from him. She was so ashamed of how she had just reacted. She didn't know what had come over her.

"You scrub my back and I'll scrub yours," he whispered in her ear.

Kahlan shook her head in amusement as they began to follow Odo. "In your dreams, Seeker."

"Both of our dreams will come true someday, Kahlan," he told her. "I promise you that and the Seeker never breaks his promise."

Following Kahlan, Richard couldn't help the unease that had settled over him. Although seeming to be alright now, something was terribly wrong with his Confessor, something that he couldn't begin to imagine and it terrified him to his very core.