Phantom

SwordofTruth10

TerryGoodkind

ToPhilandDebraPizzolato,

Andtheirkids,Joey,Nicolette,Philip,andAdriana,

Whoconstantlyremindmeofthevalueoflife

bybringingtheirloveandlaughtertomine

ThefollowingindividualshavebeeninvaluableinhelpingtobringPhantomtolife.

BrianAndersonJeffBolton

R.DeanBryanDr.JoanneLeovyMarkMasters

DesiréeandDr.RolandMiyadaKeithParkinson

PhilandDebraPizzolatoTomandKarenWhelan

RonWilson

EachofthesepeoplehasbeenthereformewhenIneededthemmost.Eachisapersonofuniqueabilitywhoplayedakeyroleinmakingthisbookhappen.Eachofthembringsjoytomylifebyjustbeingthemselves.

InlovingmemoryofKeithParkinson.

Thosewhohavecomeheretohateshouldleavenow,forintheirhatredtheyonlybetraythemselves.

translatedfromTheBookofLife

Chapter1Kahlanstoodquietlyintheshadows,watching,asevilknockedsoftlyonthe

door.Huddledunderthesmalloverhang,offtotheside,shehopedthatnoonewouldanswerthatknock.Asmuchasshewouldliketospendthenightinoutoftherain,shedidn’twanttroubletovisitinnocentpeople.Sheknew,though,thatshehadnosayinthematter.Thelightofasinglelanternflickeredweaklythroughtheslenderwindowsto

eithersideof thedoor, reflectingapale, shimmeringglowoff thewet flooroftheportico.Thesignoverhead,hungbytwoironrings,gratedandsquealedeachtimeitswungbackandforth in thewind-bornerain.Kahlanwasable tomakeoutthespectralwhiteshapeofahorsepaintedonthedark,wetsign.Thelightfromthewindowswasn’tenoughtoenablehertoreadthename,butbecausetheotherthreewomenwithherhadtalkedoflittleelsefordays,KahlanknewthatthenamewouldbetheWhiteHorseInn.Bythesmellofmanureandwethay,shejudgedthatoneofthedarkbuildings

nearbyhadtobeastable.Inthesporadicdisplaysofdistantlightning,shecouldjust make out the hulking shoulders of dark structures standing like ghostsbeyondthebillowingsheetsofrain.Despitethesteadyroarofthedelugeandtherumbleof thunder, itappeared that thevillagewassoundasleep.Kahlancouldthinkofnobetterplacetobeonsuchadarkandwretchednightthanbundledupunderbedcovers,safeandwarm.Ahorse in thenearby stablewhinniedwhenSisterUliciaknockeda second

time, louder,more insistently, evidently intending herself to be heard over theriotofrain,yetnotsoloudastosoundhostile.SisterUlicia,awomangiventorecklessimpulse,seemedtobetakingadeliberatelyrestrainedapproach.Kahlandidn’tknowwhy,butimaginedthatithadtodowiththereasontheywerethere.Italsomighthavebeennothingmorethantherandomnatureofhermoods.Likelightning, the woman’s smoldering bad temper was not only dangerous butunpredictable.Kahlancouldn’talwaystellexactlywhenSisterUliciawouldlashout,andjustbecauseshesofarhadn’tdidn’tmeanthatshewouldn’t.NeitheroftheothertwoSisterswasinanybettermoodoranylessinclinedtowardlosingtheir temper. Kahlan supposed that soon enough the three of them would behappyandquietlycelebratingthereunion.Lightning flashed close enough that the blinding but halting incandescence

briefly revealed awhole street of buildings crowded close around themuddy,rutted road. Thunder boomed through themountainous countryside and shookthegroundbeneaththeirfeet.Kahlan wished that there was something—like the way lightning revealed

thingsotherwisehiddenintheobscurityofnight—thatcouldhelpilluminatethehiddenmemoriesofherpastandbringtolightwhatwasconcealedbythemurkymystery ofwho shewas. She had a fierce longing to be free of the Sisters, aburningdesiretoliveherownlife—toknowwhatherlifereallywas.Thatmuchsheknewaboutherself.Sheknew,too,thatherconvictionshadtobefoundedinexperience.Itwasobvioustoherthattherehadtobesomethingthere—peopleandevents—thathadhelpedmakeherthewomanshewas,buttryasshemighttorecallthem,theywerelosttoher.ThatterribledayshestoletheboxesfortheSisters,shehadpromisedherself

thatsomedayshewouldfindthetruthofwhoshewas,andshewouldbefree.WhenSisterUliciaknockedathirdtime,amuffledvoicecamefrominside.“I heard you!” It was aman’s voice. His bare feet thumped downwooden

stairs.“I’llberightthere!Amoment,please!”His annoyance at having been awakened in the middle of the night was

layeredoverwithforceddeferencetopotentialcustomers.SisterUliciaturnedasullenlookonKahlan.“Youknowthatwehavebusiness

here.”SheliftedacautionaryfingerbeforeKahlan’sface.“Don’tyoueventhinkofgivingusanytrouble,oryou’llgetwhatyougotthelasttime.”Kahlanswallowedatthereminder.“Yes,SisterUlicia.”“Tovihadbetterhavegottenusaroom,”SisterCeciliacomplained.“I’minno

moodtobetoldtheplaceisfull.”“Therewillberoom,”SisterArminasaidwithsoothingassurance,cuttingoff

SisterCecilia’shabitofalwaysassumingtheworst.Sister Armina wasn’t older, like Sister Cecilia, but nearly as young and

attractive asSisterUlicia.ToKahlan, though, their lookswere insignificant inlightoftheirinnernature.ToKahlan,theywerevipers.“Onewayoranother,”SisterUliciaaddedunderherbreathas sheglaredat

thedoor,“therewillberoom.”Lightningarcedthroughthegreenish,roilingclouds,releasinganearsplitting

boomofthunder.Thedooropenedacrack.Theshadowedfaceofamanpeeredoutatthemas

heworked tobuttonuphis trousersunderhisnightshirt.Hemovedhisheadalittletoeachsidesothathecouldtakeinthestrangers.Judging themtobe less thandangerous,hepulledopen thedoorandwitha

sweepinggestureusheredtheminside.“Comeonin,then,”hesaid.“Allofyou.”“Whoisit?”Awomancalledoutasshedescendedthestairstotherear.She

carried a lantern in one hand and held the hem of her nightdress upwith the

othersothatshewouldn’ttriponitasshehurrieddownthesteps.“Fourwomentravelinginthemiddleofarainynight,”themantoldher,his

grufftonealludingtowhathethoughtofsuchapractice.Kahlanfrozeinmidstride.He’dsaid“fourwomen.”Hehadseenallfourofthemandhadrememberedasmuchlongenoughtosay

so.Asfarasshecouldrecall,suchathinghadneverhappenedbefore.Noonebuthermasters,thefourSisters—thethreewithherandtheonetheyhadcometomeet—everrememberedseeingher.Sister Cecilia shoved Kahlan in ahead of her, apparently not catching the

significanceoftheremark.“Well for goodness’ sake,” thewoman said as she hurried between the two

plank tables. She tsked at the foul weather as the wind drove a rattle of rainagainstthewindows.“Dogettheminoutofthatawfulweather,Orlan.”Streamers of fat raindrops chased them in the door,wetting a patchof pine

floor.Theman’smouth twistedwithdispleasure ashepushed thedoor closedagainstawetgustandthendroppedtheheavyironbarbackin thebrackets toboltthedoor.Thewoman,herhairgatheredupina loosebun, liftedher lanternalittleas

shepeeredatthelate-nightguests.Puzzled,shesquintedashergazesweptoverthe drenched visitors and then back again. Her mouth opened but then sheseemedtoforgetwhatshehadbeenabouttosay.Kahlanhadseenthatblanklookathousandtimesandknewthat thewoman

only remembered seeing three callers. No one could ever remember seeingKahlanlongenoughtosayso.Shewasasgoodasinvisible.Kahlanthoughtthatmaybe because of the darkness and rain the man, Orlan, had merely made amistakewhenhe’dsaidtohiswifethattherewerefourvisitors.“Come inandgetyourselvesdry,” thewomansaidas she smiled inearnest

warmth.ShehookedahandunderSisterUlicia’sarm,drawingherintothesmallgatheringroom.“WelcometotheWhiteHorseInn.”TheothertwoSisters,openlyscrutinizingtheroom,tookofftheircloaksand

gave them a quick shake before tossing them over a bench at one of the twotables.Kahlan noticed a single dark doorway at the back, beside the stairs.Afireplacemadeofstacked,flatstonestookupmostofthewalltotheright.Theairinthedimlylitroomwaswarmandcarriedthedistractinglyenticingaromaofastewintheironpothungfromacranepushedtothesideofthehearth.Hotcoalsglowedoutfromunderathicklayeroffeatheryashes.“You three ladies look like drowned cats. You must be miserable.” The

womanturnedtothemanandgestured.“Orlan,getthefiregoing.”

Kahlansawayounggirlofmaybeelevenortwelveyearsslipdownthestairsjustfarenoughsoshecouldseeintotheroomfromunderthelowceiling.Herlong white nightdress with ruffled cuffs had a pony stitched in coarse brownthreadonthefront,witharowofloosestrandsofdarkyarnmakingupthemaneandtail.Thegirlsatonthestepstowatch,tentinghernightdressoverherbonyknees. Her grin revealed big teeth that she had yet to grow into. Strangersarriving in themiddle of the night apparently was an adventure at theWhiteHorseInn.Kahlandearlyhopedthatthatwasalltherewouldbetotheadventure.Orlan, a big bear of aman, knelt at the hearth, stacking on a few sticks of

wood.His thick,stubbyfingersmade thewedgesofoak look tobe littlemorethankindling.“Whatwouldpossessyouladiestotravelintherain—atnight?”heaskedas

hecastthemalookoverhisshoulder.“We’re in a hurry to catch up with a friend of ours,” Sister Ulicia said,

offeringameaninglesssmile.Shekepthertonebusinesslike.“Shewastomeetushere.HernameisTovi.Shewillbeexpectingus.”Themanputahandonhiskneetohelphimselfup.“Thoseguestswhostay

withus—especiallyinsuchtroubledtimes—areprettydiscreet.Mostdon’tgivetheirnames.”HeliftedaneyebrowatSisterUlicia.“Muchlikeyouladies—notgivingyournames,thatis.”“Orlan, they’re guests,” the woman scolded. “Wet, and no doubt tired and

hungry,guests.”Sheflashedasmile.“FolkscallmeEmmy.Myhusband,Orlan,and I have run theWhite Horse since his parents passed away, years back.”Emmy gathered up three wooden bowls from a shelf. “You ladies must befamished. Let me get you some stew. Orlan, get some mugs and fetch theseladiessomehottea.”Orlan lifted a meaty hand on his way past, indicating the bowls his wife

cradledinanarm.“You’reoneshort.”Shetwitchedafrownathim.“NoI’mnot;Ihavethreebowls.”Orlanpulledfourmugsdownfromthetopshelfofthehutch.“Right.LikeI

said,you’reoneshort.”Kahlancouldhardlybreathe.Somethingwasverywrong.SistersCeciliaand

Arminahadfrozendeadstill,theirwideeyesfixedontheman.Thesignificanceofthecouple’schitchathadnotescapedthem.Kahlanglanced to thestairwellandsawthegirlon thesteps leaning toward

them, gripping the rails, peering out, trying to fathom what her parents weretalkingabout.SisterArminasnatchedSisterUlicia’ssleeve.“Ulicia,”shesaidinanurgent

whisperthroughgrittedteeth,“hesees—”SisterUliciashushedher.Herbrowdrewdowninadarkglareassheturned

herattentionbacktotheman.“Youaremistaken,”shesaid.“Thereareonlythreeofus.”AtthesametimeshewastalkingsheproddedKahlanwiththestoutoakrod

she carried, shoving her farther back into the shadows behind, as if shadowsalonewouldmakeKahlaninvisibletotheman.Kahlandidn’twanttobeintheshadows.Shewantedtostandinthelightand

beseen—reallyseen.Suchathinghadalwaysseemedanimpossibledream,butithadsuddenlybecomearealpossibility.ThatpossibilityhadshakenthethreeSisters.OrlanfrownedatSisterUlicia.Holdingallfourmugsinthegripofonemeaty

hand,heusedhisothertopointouteachvisitorstandinginhisgatheringroom.“One,two,three”—heleanedtotheside,lookingaroundSisterUlicia,topointatKahlan—”four.Doyouallwanttea?”Kahlan blinked in astonishment. Her heart felt as if it had come up in her

throat.Hesawher…andrememberedwhathesaw.

Chapter2“It can’t be,” Sister Cecilia whispered as shewrung her hands. She leaned

toward Sister Ulicia, her eyes darting about. “It’s impossible.” Her familiar,incessantbutmeaninglesssmilewasnowhereinevidence.“Something’sgonewrong…”SisterArmina’svoicetrailedoffwhenhersky

blueeyesglancedSisterUlicia’sway.“It’snothingmorethanananomaly,”SisterUliciagrowledunderherbreathas

she leveledadangerous lookat the twoof them.Neverones tobeservile, thetwo nonetheless showed no evidence of wanting to argue with their stormyleader.InthreestrongstridesSisterUliciaclosedthedistancetoOrlan.Sheseizedthe

collarofhisnightshirtinherfist.WithherotherhandsheswishedheroakrodinthedirectionofKahlan,standingintheshadowsbacknearthedoor.“Whatdoesshelooklike?”“Likeadrownedcat,”Orlansaidinillhumor,obviouslynotlikingherhand

onhiscollar.KahlanknewwithoutdoubtthatusingsuchatoneofvoicewithSisterUlicia

wasthewrongthingtodo,buttheSister,insteadofexplodinginarage,seemedtobejustasastonishedasKahlan.“Iknowthat,butwhatdoesshelooklike?Tellmewhatyousee.”Orlan straightened,pullinghis collar away fromhergrip.His featuresdrew

tight as he appraised the stranger only he and the Sisters saw standing in theweaklightofthelanterns.“Thickhair.Greeneyes.Averyattractivewoman.She’d looka lotbetter if

sheweredriedout,althoughthosewet thingsonherdotendtoshowoffwhatshe’smadeof.”HebegantosmileinawaythatKahlandidn’tlikeonebit,evenif she was overjoyed that he really saw her. “Mighty fine figure on her,” headded,moretohimselfthantheSister.His slow and deliberate evaluation made Kahlan feel naked. As his gaze

roamedoverher,hewipedthecornerofhismouthwithathumb.Shecouldhearitraspagainsthisstubble.Oneofthesticksofwoodinthehearthcaughtflame,brighteningtheroominitsflickeringglow,lettinghimseeevenmore.Hisgazewanderedupward,andthencaughtonsomething.“Herhairisaslongas…”Orlan’sbawdysmileevaporated.Heblinkedinsurprise.Hiseyeswidened.“Dearspirits,”hewhisperedashis

face went ashen. He dropped to a knee. “Forgive me,” he said, addressing

Kahlan.“Ididn’trecognize—”TheroomrangwithacrackasSisterUliciawhackedhimacrossthetopofthe

headwithheroakrod,droppinghimtobothknees.“Silence!”“What’s thematterwithyou!” theman’swifecriedoutassherushed toher

husband’sside.Shesquatted,puttinganarmaroundhisshoulderstosteadyhimashegroanedandputabighandoverthebloodywoundonthetopofhisbowedhead.Hissandy-coloredhairturneddarkandwetunderhisfingers.“Areallofyoucrazy!”Shecradledherhusband’sheadtoherbreast,wherea

red stain grew against her nightdress.He appeared stunned senseless. “Unlessyoutravelinthecompanyofaspirit,thereareonlythreeofyou!Howdareyou—”“Silence,”SisterUliciagrowledinawaythatgaveKahlananicyshiverand

madethewoman’smouthsnapclosed.Rain paltered against the window while in the distance a slow rumble of

thunderrolled throughtheforestedhills.Kahlancouldhear thesignsqueakingasitswungtoandfroeachtimethewindgusted.Insidethehouseithadgonedeadsilent.SisterUlicialookedoveratthegirl,nowatthebottomofthesteps,whereshestoodgrippingthesimple,square,woodennewelpost.SisterUliciafixedthegirlinaglarethatonlyasorceressinavilemoodcould

marshal.“Howmanyvisitorsdoyousee?”Thegirlstoodwide-eyed,toofrightenedtospeak.“Howmany?”SisterUlicia asked again, this time throughgritted teeth in a

voiceso threatening that itmade thegirl’sgripon thenewelpost tightenuntilherfingersstoodoutwhiteandbloodlessagainstthedarkwood.Thegirlfinallyansweredinameekvoice.“Three.”Sister Armina, looking like bottled thunder, leaned close. “Ulicia, what’s

going on?This isn’t supposed to be possible.Not possible at all.We cast theverificationwebs.”“Exterior,”SisterCeciliacorrected.SisterArminablinkedattheolderwoman.“What?”“Weonlycastexteriorverificationwebs.Wedidn’tdoaninteriorreview.”“Areyououtofyourmind?”SisterArminasnapped.“Inthefirstplaceitisn’t

necessaryandinthesecondplacewhowouldbefoolenoughtobetheonetodoan aspect analysis of a verificationweb from an interior perspective! No oneeverdoessuchathing!Itisn’tnecessary!”“I’monlysaying—”Withawitheringlook,SisterUliciasilencedthemboth.SisterCecilia,herwet

curlsplastered toher scalp, looked likeshewasabout to finishhercomplaint,butthendecidedinsteadtoremainmute.Orlanseemedtorecoverhissensesashepulledawayfromhiswife’sembrace

andbegantostaggertohisfeet.Bloodrandownhisforeheadandtoeithersideofhisbroadnose.“WereIyou,innkeeper,”SisterUliciasaid,turningherattentionbacktohim,

“I’dremainonmyknees.”Themenaceinhervoicegavehimpauseforonlyamoment.Hewasclearly

angryasheroseuptohisfullheight,lettinghisbloodyhanddropawayfromhishead.Hisbackstraightened,hischestexpanded,andhisfiststightened.Kahlancouldclearlytellthathistemperwasoutpacinghissenseofcaution.Sister Ulicia indicated with her rod that she wanted Kahlan to back away.

Kahlan,ignoringthedirection,insteadsteppedclosertoSisterUlicia,hopingtochangetherushofeventsbeforeitendedupbeingtoolate.“Please,SisterUlicia,hewillansweryourquestions—Iknowhewill.Lethim

be.”ThethreeSistersturnedunpleasantlysurprisedlooksonKahlan.Shehadnot

been spoken to, or asked to speak. Such insolencewould cost her dearly, sheknew, but she also knewwhat was liable to happen to the man if somethingdidn’t change, and right then it seemed to her that shewas the only onewhocouldeffectachange.Resides, Kahlan knew that this was her only chance to find out something

aboutherself—toperhapsfindoutwhoshereallywasandmaybeevenwhyshecould remember only the most recent parts of her life. This man had clearlyrecognizedher.Heverywellmightbe thekey thatcouldunlockher lostpast.She dared not let the chance slip away—even if she had to risk the Sisters’wrath.Before theSistershadachance to sayanything,Kahlanaddressed theman.

“Please,MasterOrlan, listenforamoment.We’relookingforanolderwomannamedTovi.Shewastomeetthesewomenhere.Weweredelayed,sosheshouldalreadybehere,waitingforus.Please,answertheirquestionsabouttheirfriend.ThiscouldallbequicklyresolvedifyouwouldhurryupstairsandgetToviforthem.Then,likethispassingstorm,wewillallsoonbeoutofyourlives.”Themanreverentlydippedhishead,asifaqueenhadaskedhishelp.Kahlan

wasnotonlysurprised,butcompletelybewilderedbysuchanactofdeference.“ButwehavenoguestnamedTovihere,Mot—”Theroomlitwithablindingflash—lightningthatwasthematchofanything

out in the raging storm.The twisting ropeof liquidheat and light that ignited

frombetweenSisterUlicia’shandsblastedacrossOrlan’schestbeforehecouldfinish the appellation he had been about to use. The jarring concussion frombeingsoclosetotheexplosivedetonationofsuchthunderouspowerhammereddeepintothecoreofKahlan’schest.TheimpactthrewOrlanback,sendinghimcrashingthroughatableandbothbenches,slamminghimagainstthewall.Thedeadlycontactwithsuchpowerhadnearlycutthemaninhalf.Smokecurledupfromwhatwasleftofhisshirt.Aglisteningredsplatterofgoremarkedthewallwherehe’dtutbeforeslumpingtotheground.Intheaftermathofthedeafeningblast,Kahlan’searsranginwhatseemedthe

suddensilence.Emmy,hereyeswidewiththeshockofaneventthathadinaninstantforever

alteredthecourseofherlife,wailedthesingleword“No!”Kahlanpressedahandoverhermouthandnose,notjustinrevulsion,butto

mask the smell of blood and the stench of burned flesh. The lantern that hadbeen on the table had been thrown to the floor and extinguished, leaving theroom mostly to the wavering shadows cast by the fire in the hearth and thesporadicflashesoflightningcomingintheslenderwindows.Haditnotbeenanightalreadyfilledwiththunderandlightning,suchablast

wouldsurelyhaveawakenedtheentiretown.ThewoodenbowlsEmmyhadbeenholdingcluttereddownontothefloorand

rolleddrunkenlyaway.Shescreamedinhorrorandrantowardherhusband.SisterUliciacameunhinged.InafurysheinterceptedEmmybeforeshecould

reachherdeadhusband.Sister Ulicia slammed the woman against the wall. “Where’s Tovi! I want

answersandIwantthemrightnow!”KahlansawthattheSisterhadbroughtherdacratohand.Thesimpleweapon

lookedlikenothingmorethanaknifehandlewithasharpenedmetalrodinplaceof a blade. All three Sisters carried a dacra. Kahlan had seen them use theweaponswhentheyhadencounteredImperialOrderscouts.Sheknewthatoncethedacrahadpiercedavictim,nomatterhowminorthepenetration,ittookonlyathoughtontheSister’sparttokill.Withthedacraitwasnotthewounditselfthatkilled,butrathertheSisterwho,throughthedacra,extinguishedthesparkoflife.IftheSisterdidn’twithdrawtheweapon,alongwithherintenttokill,therewasnodefense,andnochanceofsalvation.A confusing, faltering flash of lightning lit the room through the narrow

windowsbesidethedoor,throwinglongspikesofshadowsacrossthefloorandagainst the walls as two Sisters together snatched the panicked woman,struggling to control her. As the fit of lighting ended and a dark pall again

descendedovertheroom,thethirdSisterracedupthestairwell.Kahlanwentforthegirl.Assherantowardhermother,Kahlaninterceptedthegirl,hookingheraround

hermiddle,holdingherback.Hereyeswentwideinpanic,hermindunabletomaintainthememoryofseeingKahlanevenlongenoughforhertobeawareofwhoorwhathadgrabbedher—seeminglyoutof’thinair.Farworse,though,shehadjustseenherfatherkilled.Kahlanknewthatthegirlwouldneverbeabletoforgetsuchaterriblesight.Overthesteadydrumbeatofrainandwind,Kahlanheardthefootfallsofthe

Sister upstairs as she rushed down the hallway. She paused intermittently,stoppingateachroomtothrowopenadoor.Anyguestswhohadbeenawakenedby the commotionand shouting, anddared to comeoutof their room into thedarkhall,wereabouttofaceaSisteroftheDarkonarampage.Thosestillasleepbehindtheirdoorswouldfacenoless.Emmycriedoutinpain.Kahlanknewwhy.“Whereisshe!”SisterUliciayelledatthewoman.“Where’sTovi!”Emmyscreamed,beggingthatherdaughternotbeharmed.Kahlanknewthatitwasagravetacticalmistaketobetraytoanenemywhat

youfearedmost.Inthiscase,however,shesupposedthatsuchinformationwasirrelevant;not

onlywasitprettyobviouswhatamotherwouldfear,buttheSistersneedednosuchleverage.Seeinghermotherinastateofunbridledterrorwasonlyservingto frighten the child all that much more. She struggled mightily. Despite herfranticeffort,suchaslendergirlwasnomatchforKahlan.Holding thegirl tightly,Kahlanpulledherback through thedoorwaybeside

thestairsandintothedarkenedroombeyond.Intheflashesoflightningcomingthroughawindowattherear,Kahlansawthatitwasakitchenandstorageareaforsupplies.Thegirlcriedinwildpanicthatwasthematchofhermother’s.“It’sallright,”Kahlanwhisperedinthegirl’searassheheldhertight,trying

tocalmher.“I’llprotectyou.It’sallright.”Kahlanknewthatitwasalie,butherheartwouldnotallowthetruth.TheslenderslipofagirlpawedatKahlan’sarms.Itmusthaveseemedtoher

asifshewerebeingheldbyaspiritclutchingatherfromtheunderworld.IfsheevensawKahlan,Kahlanknew that thegirlwould forgetherbeforehermindcouldtransformperceptionintocognition.Likewise,Kahlan’swordsofcomfortwouldevaporatefromthegirl’smindbeforetheyhadachancetoevenbegintobecomprehended.Withinan instant after seeingher,nooneever remembered

thatKahlanexisted.ExceptOrlan.Andnowhewasdead.Kahlanhuggedtheterrifiedgirltight.Shedidn’tknowifitwasn’treallymore

forherownsakethanthegirl’s.Atthatmoment,keepingthegirlawayfromtheterrorofwhatwasbefallingherparentswasallKahlancoulddo.Thegirl, forherpart,writhedmadly inKahlan’s arms, trying to twist away, as if shewerebeingheld by amonster intent onbloodymurder.Kahlanhated adding to herterror,butlettinghergooutintotheotherroomwouldbeworse.Lightning flashedagain,makingKahlanglance to thewindow.Thewindow

waslargeenoughforhertogetthrough.Itwasdarkoutside,andthedenseforestlaytightuptothebuildings.Shehadlonglegs.Shewasstrongandquick.Sheknew that if shechose, shecould, ina fewheartbeats,be through thewindowandintothethickofthewoods.ButshehadtriedtoescapetheSistersbefore.Sheknewthatneithernightnor

woodswouldconcealherfromwomenwithsuchdarktalents.Kneelingthereinthedark,herarmsholdingthegirlinatightembrace,Kahlanbegantotremble.Themerecontemplationofanattemptatescapewasenoughtomakeherbrowbeadinsweatforfearthatsuchanotionwouldunleashwithinhertheembeddedconstraints.Herheadswamdizzilywiththememoryofpastattempts,memoriesof the agony. She couldn’t take such suffering again—not when it was to nopurpose.EscapingtheSisterswasimpossible.Whensheglancedup,KahlansawthedarkshadowofaSisterdescendingthe

stairs.“Ulicia,” the woman called out. It was Sister Cecilia’s voice. “The rooms

upstairsareallempty.Therearenoguests.”InthefrontroomSisterUliciagrowledadarkcurse.The shadowofSisterCecilia turned from the stairs to fill thedoorway, like

deathitselfturningitswitheringgazeontheliving.Beyond,Emmywailedandwept. Inher confusion,grief,pain, and terror shewasunable to answerSisterUlicia’sshoutedquestions.“Doyouwantyourmothertodie?”SisterCeciliaaskedfromthedoorwayin

thatdeadlycalmvoiceofhers.Shewasno lesscruelordangerous thanSisterArmina,orSisterUlicia,but

shehadaquiet,composedwayofspeaking thatwassomehowmore terrifyingthan Sister Ulicia’s screaming. Sister Armina’s straightforward the cats weresimpleandsincerebutdeliveredwithabitmorebile.SisterTovihadakindofsick glee in her approach to discipline and even torture. When any of themwanted something, though, Kahlan had long ago learned that to deny them

wouldonlybringnearlyunimaginable suffering,and in theendwhat theyhadwantedinthefirstplace.“Doyou?”SisterCeciliarepeatedwithcalmdirectness.“Answer her,” Kahlan whispered in the girl’s ear. “Please, answer her

questions.Please.”“No,”thegirlmanaged.“ThentelluswhereToviis.”IntheroombehindSisterCecilia,thegirl’smothergaspedinaterriblerattle

and then went silent. Kahlan heard bony thumps as the woman hit the woodfloor.Thehousefellquiet.Fromthedim,flickeringlightbeyondthedoorway,twomoreshadowsglided

up behind Sister Cecilia. Kahlan knew that Emmy would answer no morequestions.SisterCeciliaslipped into the room,closer to thegirlKahlanheld tightly in

herarms.“Theroomsareallempty.Whyaretherenoguestsinyourinn?”“None have come,” the girl managed as she shook. “Word of the invaders

fromtheOldWorldhasscaredpeopleaway.”Kahlan knew that that made sense. After leaving the People’s Palace in

D’Hara and swiftly traveling south throughmostly remote country on a smallriverboat, they still had encountered detachments of Emperor Jagang’s troopsmorethanonce,orbeenthroughriversettlementswherethosebruteshadbeen.Wordofsuchatrocitieswouldhavespreadlikeanillwind.“WhereisTovi?”SisterCeciliaasked.HoldingthegirlprotectivelyawayfromtheSisters,Kahlanglaredupatthem.

“She’sjustachild!Leaveherbe!”Ashockofpainslammedintoher.ItfelttoKahlanasifeveryfiberofevery

musclehadviolentlyripped.Foran instant,shedidn’tknowwhereshewasorwhat was happening. The room spun. Her back hit the cupboards with bone-breakingforce.Doorsflewopen.Pots,pans,andutensilscascadedout,bouncingand clattering across the wooden floor. Dishes and glasses shattered as theycamecrashingdown.Kahlan slammed facedown onto the floor. Jagged, broken shards of pottery

slashedherpalmsasshetriedunsuccessfullytobreakherfall.Whenshefelttheendofsomethingrazor-sharppressedagainstthesideofhertongueinbacksherealizedthatalongsliverofglasshadpiercedhercheek.Sheclenchedherjaw,snapping off the glass between her teeth so that it wouldn’t slash open hertongue.Witheffortshemanagedtospitoutthebloody,daggerlikepieceofglass.

Shelaysprawledonthefloor,stunned,disoriented,unabletofullygatherhersenses. Grunts escaped her throat as she tried without success to move. Shefoundthatasthosesoundsslippedout,shecouldn’tdrawanewbreathbackin.Eachbitofair thatescapedher lungswasabitofair lost toher.Hermusclesstrained to pull the wind back into her lungs. The pain lancing through hermiddlewasparalyzing,actingtocounterherefforttogetabreath.Indesperation shegasped, at lastmanaging topull in anurgentbreath.She

spatoutmorebloodandsharpsplintersofglass.Shewasjustbeginningtofeelthe twinge of pain from the fragment still stuck through her cheek. Kahlancouldn’t seem tomake her armswork, couldn’t lift herself up from the floor,muchlessreachuptopulloutthepieceofglass.Sheturnedhereyesupward.ShecouldmakeoutthedarkformsoftheSisters

closinginaroundthegirl.Theyliftedherandshovedherbackagainstaheavybutcherblockstandinginthecenteroftheroom.ASisterheldeacharmasSisterUliciasquatteddownbeforethegirltomeetherpanickedgaze.“DoyouknowwhoToviis?”“Theoldwoman!”thegirlcriedout.“Theoldwoman!”“Yes,theoldwoman.Whatelsedoyouknowabouther?”Thegirlgulpedair,almostunabletogetthewordsout.“Big.Shewasbig.Old

andbig.Shewastoobigtowalkrealgood.”SisterUlicia leanedclose,gripping thegirl’sslender throat.“Where isshe’?

Whyisn’tshehere?Shewassupposedtomeetushere.Whyisshenone?”“Gone,”thegirlcried.“She’sgone.”“Why!Whenwasshehere?Whendidsheleave?Whydidsheleave?”“Afewdaysback.Shewashere.Shestayedwithusforawhile.Butshelefta

fewdaysback.”SisterUlicia,withacryofrage,liftedthegirlandheavedheragainst’thewall.

With all her effort,Kahlan struggled toher hands andknees.Thegirl crasheddown to the floor. Ignoring how wobbly she felt, Kahlan crawled across thefloor,acrossbrokenglassandpottery,andthrewherselfprotectivelyacrossthegirl’sbody.Thegirl,notknowingwhatwashappening,criedoutallthemore.Footstepscame towardher.Kahlan sawacleaver lyingon the floornearby.

Thegirlcriedandstruggledtogetaway,butKahlanheldherprotectivelyagainstthefloor.Astheshadowsofthewomancamecloser,Kahlan’sfingersclosedaroundthe

woodenhandleoftheheavycleaver.Shewasn’tthinking,shewassimplyacting:threat,weapon.Itwasalmostlikewatchingsomeoneelsedoingit.But there was a kind of deep inner satisfaction at having a weapon in her

hand. Her fist tightened around the blood-slicked handle. Aweaponwas life.Flashesoflightningglintedoffthesteel.When the women were close enough, Kahlan suddenly raised her arm to

strike.Beforeshecouldbegintoaccomplishher task,shefeltagut-wrenchingblow,asifshehadbeenrammedbythebuttendofalog.Thepowerofthatblowhurledheracrosstheroom.Ahardimpactagainstthewallstunnedher.Theroomseemedlikeitwasfar

away,offatthefarendofalong,darktunnel.Painswampedher.Shetriedtoliftherheadbutcouldn’t.Darknesspulledherin.Thenext time sheopenedher eyes,Kahlan saw thegirl cringingbefore the

Sistersastheytoweredoverher.“Idon’tknow,”thegirlwassaying.“Idon’tknowwhysheleft.Shesaidshe

hadtobeonherwaytoCaska.”Theroomrangwithsilence.“Caska?”SisterArminafinallyasked.“Yes,that’swhatshesaid.ShehadtogettoCaska.”“Didshehaveanythingwithher?”“Withher?”thegirlwhined,stillsobbingandshivering.“Idon’tunderstand.

Whatdoyoumean,withher?”“Withher!”SisterUliciascreamed.“Whatdidshehavewithher!Shehadto

becarryingthings—apack,awaterskin.Butshehadotherthings.Didyouseeanythingelseofwhatshehadwithher?”Whenthegirlhesitated,SisterUliciasmackedheracrossthefacehardenough

tohaveloosenedherteeth.“Didyouseeanythingshehadwithher?”Alongstringofbloodfromthegirl’snoselayhorizontallyacrosshercheek.

“When shewas at supper one day, Iwent to take her clean towels and I sawsomethinginherroom.Somethingstrange.”SisterCecilialeaneddown.“Strange?Likewhat?”“Itwas, itwas likea…abox.Shehad itwrapped inawhitedress,but the

dresswassilkysmoothandithadpartlyslippedoffthebox.Itwaslikeabox—onlyitwasallblack.Butnotblacklikepaint.Itwasblacklikenightitself.Blacklikeitwouldtakethelightrightoutoftheday.”ThethreeSistersstraightenedandstoodinsilence.Kahlanknewexactlywhatthegirlwastalkingabout.Kahlanhadgoneinand

takenallthreeofthoseboxesfromtheGardenofLifeinthePeople’sPalace—fromLordRahl’spalace.When she had brought the first one out, Sister Ulicia had been furious at

Kahlanfornotbringingallthreeofthemoutatonce,buttheywerelargerthanexpectedandtherehadbeennoroomtohidethemallinherpack,soKahlanhadat first brought out only one. Sister Ulicia had wrapped that vile thing inKahlan’swhitedressandhadgivenittoTovi,tellinghertohurryandbeonherway,thattheywouldallmeetuplater.SisterUliciahadn’twantedtoriskgettingcaughtinthepalacewithoneof(hethreeboxesandsoshehadn’twantedSisterTovitowaitwhileKahlanwentbackupintotheGardenofLifeaftertheothertwoboxes.“WhydidTovigotoCaska?”SisterUliciaasked.“Idon’tknow,”thegirlwept.“Idon’tknow,IswearIdon’t.Ionlyknowthat

IheardhersaytomyparentsthatshehadtobeonherwaytoCaska.Sheleftafewdaysback.”Inthequiet,lyingagainstthefloor,Kahlanstruggledtobreathe.Eachbreath

sentagonizingstitchesofpainthroughherribs.Sheknewthatitwasonlygoingto be the beginning of the pain.When the Sisters finished with the girl theywouldturntheirattentiontoKahlan.“Maybewehadbettergetsomesleepinoutoftherain,”SisterArminafinally

suggested.“Wecanstartoutearly.”SisterUlicia,herfistwiththedacraonherhip,pacedbetweenthegirlandthe

butcherblock,thinking.Shardsofpotterycrunchedunderherhoots.“No,”shesaidassheturnedbacktotheothers.“Somethingiswrong.”“Youmeanwiththespell-form?Youmeanbecauseoftheman?”Sister Ulicia waved a hand dismissively. “An anomaly. Nothing more. No,

somethingiswrongabouttherestofit.WhywouldTovileave?Shehadexplicitinstructionstomeetushere.Andshewashere—butthensheleaves.Therewerenootherguests,noImperialOrdertroopsinthearea,sheknewwewereonourway,andyetsheleaves.Itmakesnosense.”“AndwhyCaska?”SisterCeciliaasked.“WhywouldsheheadforCaska?”SisterUlicia turnedback to thegirl.“WhovisitedToviwhileshewashere?

Whocametoseeher?”“Ialreadytoldyou,noone.Nooneatallcameherewhiletheoldwomanwas

stayingwithus.Wehadnoothercallersorguests.Shewas theonlyonehere.Thisplaceisoutoftheway.Peopledon’tcomehereforstretches.”SisterUliciawent back to her pacing. “I don’t like it. Something is wrong

aboutthis,butIcan’tputmyfingeronit.”“Iagree,”SisterCeciliasaid.“Toviwouldn’tjustleave.”“Andyetshedid.Why?”SisterUliciacametoastopbeforethegirl.“Didshe

sayanythingelse,orleaveamessage—perhapsaletter?”

Thegirl,snifflingbackasob,shookherhead.“Wehavenochoice,”SisterUliciamuttered.“We’regoingtohavetofollow

TovitoCaska.”SisterArmina gestured toward the front door. “Tonight? In the rain?Don’t

youthinkweoughttowaituntilmorning?”Sister Ulicia, deep in thought, looked up at thewoman. “What if someone

shows up?Wedon’t need anymore complications ifwe’re to accomplish ourtask.Wecertainlydon’t need Jagangor his troopsgetting awhiff of us beingabout.WeneedtogettoToviandweneedtogetthatbox—weallknowwhat’satstake.”Shetookthemeasureofbothwomen’sgraveexpressionsbeforegoingon. “Whatwedon’tneedare anywitnesseswhocan report thatwewerehereandwhatwe’relookingfor.”KahlanknewverywellwhatSisterUliciawasgettingat.“Please,”shemanagedasshepushedherselfuponshakyarms,“please,leave

her be. She’s just a little girl. She doesn’t know anything of any value toanyone.”“SheknowsToviwashere.SheknowswhatTovihaswithher.”SisterUlicia’s

browdrewtightwithdispleasure.“Sheknowswewereherelookingforher.”Kahlanstruggled toput force intohervoice.“She isnothing toyou.You’re

sorceresses;sheisbutachild.Shecandoyounoharm.”SisterUlicia glanced briefly over her shoulder at the girl. “She also knows

wherewe’regoing.”Sister Ulicia looked deliberately intoKahlan’s eyes.Without turning to the

girl behind her, and with sudden force, she slammed her dacra back into thegirl’smidsection.Thegirlgaspedinshock.StillstaringdownatKahlan,SisterUliciasmiledatsuchadeedasonlyevil

couldsmile.KahlanthoughtthatthismustbewhatitwouldbelikelookingintotheeyesoftheKeeperoftheDeadinhislairinthedarkestdepthsoftheeternityoftheunderworld.SisterUliciaarchedaneyebrow.“Idon’tintendtoleaveanylooseends.”Lightseemedtoflashfromwithinthegirl’swideeyes.Shewentslackandfell

heavily to the floor.Her arms sprawled out at crazy angles.Her lifeless gazestaredfixedlyrightatKahlanasiftodenounceherfornotkeepingherword.Herpromisetothegirl—I’llprotectyou—rangthroughKahlan’smind.Shecriedoutinhelplessfuryasshepoundedherfistsagainstthefloor.Andthenshecriedoutinsuddenpainasshewasflungbackagainstthewall.

Ratherthancrashtothefloor,shestuckthereasifheldbyagreatstrength.The

strength,sheknew,wasmagic.She couldn’t breathe. One of the Sisters was using her power to constrict

Kahlan’s throat.Shestrained, trying togetair,assheclawedat the ironcollararoundherneck.SisterUliciaapproachedandputherfaceclosetoKahlan’s.“Youareluckythisday,”shesaidinavenomousvoice.“Wedon’thavetime

tomakeyouregretyourdisobedience—notrightnow,anyway.Butdon’t thinkthatyouaregoingtogetawaywithitwithoutsufferingtheconsequences.”“No,Sister,”Kahlanmanaged tosaywithgreateffort.Sheknewthatnot to

answerwouldonlymakeitworseyet.“Iguess thatyou’re simply too stupid to comprehendhow insignificant and

powerlessyouare in the faceofyourbetters.Perhaps this time,whenyouaregivenanotherlesson,evenoneaslowlyandignorantasyouwillunderstandit.”“Yes,Sister.”Eventhoughsheknewquitewellwhattheywouldmakeherenduretoteach

her that lesson, Kahlan would have done the same thing again. She regrettedonlyfailingtoprotectthegirl,asshehadpromised.ThedayshehadtakenthosethreeboxesoutofLordRahl’spalace,shehadleftintheirplacehermostprizedpossession: a small statue of a proud woman, her lists at her side, her backarched,andherheadthrownbackasiffacingforcesthatwouldsubdueherbutcouldnot.Kahlanhadgatheredstrength thatday inRichardRahl’spalace.Standing in

hisgarden,lookingbackattheproudstatueshe’dhadtoleavethere,Kahlanhadswornthatshewouldhaveherlifeback.Havingherlifebackmeantfightingforlife,evenifitwasthelifeofalittlegirlshedidn’tknow.“Let’sgo,”SisterUliciagrowledasshemarchedtoward thedoor,expecting

everyonetofollow.Kahlan’sbootsthumpeddownonthefloorwhentheforcepressinghertothe

wallabruptlyreleasedher.She collapsed to her knees, her bloody hands comforting her throat as she

gasped for air. Her fingers encountered the hated collar by which the Sisterscontrolledher.“Move,” SisterCecilia ordered in a tone that hadKahlan scrambling to her

feet.Sheglancedoverhershoulderandsawthepoorgirl’sdeadeyesstaringather,

watchinghergo.

Chapter3Richardstoodsuddenly.Thelegsoftheheavywoodenchairhe’dbeensilting

in chattered as they slid back across the rough stone floor.His fingertips stillrested on the edge of the table where the book he’d been reading lay open,waiting,beforethesilverlantern.Therewassomethingwrongwiththeair.Notwith theway it smelled, orwith the temperature, orwith the humidity,

although it was awarm and sticky night. It was the air itself. Something feltwrongabouttheair.Richard couldn’t imagine why he would suddenly be struck with such a

thought.Hecouldn’tevenbegintoimaginewhatitwasthatcouldbethecauseofsuchanoddnotion.Therewerenowindowsinthesmallreadingroom,sohedidn’tknowwhat itwas likeoutside—if itwasclear,orwindy,or stormy.Heknewonlythatitwasdeepinthenight.Cara, not far away behind him, stood up from the thickly padded brown

leatherchairwhereshe,too,hadbeenreading.Shewaited,butsaidnothing.Richard had asked her to read several historical volumes he’d found.

Whatever she could findout about the ancient timeswhen theChainfire bookhad been writtenmight prove helpful. She hadn’t complained about the task.Cara rarelycomplainedaboutanythingas longas itdidn’t inanywaypreventherfromprotectinghim.Sinceshewasabletostayrightthereintheroomwithhim, she’d had no objections to reading the books he’d given her.One of theotherMord-Sith, Berdine, could readHighD’Haran and had in the past beenvery helpful with things written in the ancient language often found in rarebooks, but Berdine was far away at the People’s Palace. That still leftuncountablevolumeswrittenintheirownlanguageforCaratoreview.Carawatchedhimashepeeredaroundatthepaneledwalls,hisgazepassing

methodicallyover theornamental odditieson the shelves: the lacqueredboxeswith inlaid silver designs, the small figures of dancers carved from bone, thesmoothstoneslyinginvelvet-linedboxes,andthedecorativeglassvases.“LordRahl,”shefinallyasked,“issomethingwrong?”Richardglancedbackoverhisshoulder.“Yes.There’ssomethingwrongwith

theair.”Herealizedonlyafterseeingthetenseconcerninherexpressionthatitmust

havesoundedabsurdsayingthattherewassomethingwrongwiththeair.ToCara,though,nomatterhowabsurditmighthavesounded,allthatreally

matteredwasthathethoughttherewassomekindoftrouble,andtroublemeantapotential threat.Her leatheroutfit creakedas she spunherAgielup intoher

fist. Weapon at the ready, she peered around the little room, searching theshadowsasifaghostmightpopoutofthewoodwork.Herbrowdrewtighter.“Thebeast,doyouthink?”Richardhadn’tconsideredthatpossibility.ThebeastthatJaganghadordered

hiscapturedSistersoftheDarktoconjureandsendafterRichardwasalwaysapotentialthreat.Therehadbeenseveraltimesinthepastwhenithadseemedtoappearoutoftheveryairitself.Tryashemight,Richardcouldn’ttellpreciselywhatitwasthatfeltwrongto

him. Although he couldn’t put his finger on the source of the sensation, itseemedlikemaybeitwassomethingheshouldremember,somethingheshouldknow,somethingheshouldrecognize.Hecouldn’tdecideifsuchafeelingwasrealormerelyhisimagination.Heshookhishead.“No…Idon’tthinkit’sthebeast.Notwronginthatway.”“Lord Rahl, on top of everything else, you’ve been up most of the night

reading.Perhapsit’sjustthatyou’reexhausted.”Thereweretimeswhenhedidwakewithastartjustashebegantodozeoff,

foggy and disoriented from the gathering descent into the dark grasp ofnightmares thathenever rememberedwhenhewoke.But this impressionwasdifferent;itwasnotsomethingborneoutofthedullnessofdozingofftosleep.Besides, despite his fatigue, he hadn’t been about to fall asleep; he was tooanxioustosleep.Ithadbeenonlythedaybeforethathehadfinallyconvincedtheothersthat

Kahlan was real, that she existed, and that she wasn’t a figment of hisimaginationoradelusioncausedbyaninjury.AtlonglasttheynowknewthatKahlanwasnotsomecrazydreamhewashaving.Nowthatheatlasthadsomehelp,hissenseofurgencytofindherdrovehimonandkepthimwideawake.Hecouldn’tbeartotakethetimetostopandrest—notnowthathehadsomepiecesofthepuzzle.Back near the People’s Palace, questioningTovi just before she died,Nicci

had learned the terrible details of how those four women—Sisters Ulicia,Cecilia, Armina, and Tovi—had invoked a Chainfire event. When theyunleashed powers that had for thousands of years been secreted away in anancient book, everyone’s memory of Kahlan—except Richard’s—had in aninstantbeenwipedaway.Somehow,hisswordhadprotectedhismind.WhilehehadhismemoryofKahlan,hisswordhadlaterbeenforfeitedintheefforttofindher.ThetheoryofaChainfireeventhadoriginatedwithwizardsinancienttimes.

They had been searching for amethod thatwould allow them to slip unseen,

ignored, and forgotten among an enemy. They postulated that there was amethod to alter people’smemorywithSubtractivepower in away that all theresulting disconnected parts of a person’s recollection would spontaneouslyreconstructandconnectthemselvestooneanother,withthedirectconsequencebeing thecreationoferroneousmemory to fill thevoids thathadbeencreatedwhenthesubjectoftheconjuringwaswipedfrompeople’sminds.Thewizardswhohad comeupwith the theoretical process had, in the end,

come to believe that unleashing such an event might very well engender acascadeofeventsthatcouldn’tbepredictedorcontrolled.Theyspeculatedthat,muchlikeawildfire,itwouldcontinuetoburnthroughlinkswithotherpeoplewhosememoryhadnotinitiallybeenaltered.Intheend,theyhadrealizedthat,with such incalculable, sweeping, and calamitous consequences, a Chainfireeventhadtheveryrealpotential tounravel theworldof life itself,sotheyhadneverdaredeventotestit.Those four Sisters of the Dark had—on Kahlan. They didn’t care if they

unraveledtheworldoflife.Infact,thatwastheirultimategoal.Richardhadnotimetosleep.NowthathehadfinallyconvincedNicci,Zedd,

Cara,Nathan,andAnnthathewasn’tcrazyandthatKahlanexistedinrealityifnolongerintheirmemories,theywerecommittedtohelpinghim.Hedesperatelyneededthathelp.HehadtofindKahlan.Shewashislife.She

completed him. She was everything to him. Her unique intelligence hadcaptivatedhimfromthefirstmomenthemether.Thememoryofherbeautifulgreen eyes, her smile, her touch, haunted him. Every waking moment was alivingnightmarethattherewassomethingmoreheshouldbedoing.WhilenooneelsecouldrememberKahlan,itseemedthatRichardcouldthink

ofnothingelse.Itoftenfelttohimasifhewereheronlyconnectiontotheworldand if he were to stop remembering her, stop thinking about her, she wouldfinally,onceandforall…trulyceasetoexist.Butherealizedthatifhewastoaccomplishanything,ifhewastoeverfind

Kahlan, he sometimes had to force his thoughts of her aside in order toconcentrateonthemattersathand.HeturnedtoCara.“Youdon’tfeelanythingodd?”She arched an eyebrow. “We’re in the Wizard’s Keep, Lord Rahl—who

wouldn’tfeelodd?Thisplacemakesmyskincrawl.”“Anyworsethanusual?”Sheheavedasighassheranherhanddownthelong,singleblondbraidlying

overthefrontofhershoulder.“No.”

Richardsnatchedupalantern.“Comeon.”Hesweptoutofthesmallroomandintoalonghalllayeredwiththickcarpets,

as if therewere toomany carpets onhand and the corridor hadbeen theonlyplacethatcouldbefoundtoputthem.Theyweremostlyclassicdesignswovenin subdued colors, but a few peeking out from underneathwere composed ofbrightyellowsandoranges.The carpetsmuted his boots as hemarched past double doors to each side

openedintodarkrooms.Cara,withherlonglegs,hadnodifficultykeepingupwithhim.Richardknewthatanumberoftheroomswerelibraries,whileotherswereelaboratelydecoratedroomsseemingtoservenopurposeotherthantoleadtoother rooms,which led toother rooms, some simple and someornate, all apartoftheinscrutableandcomplexmazethatwastheKeep.At an intersection Richard took a right, down a hall with walls thickly

plastered in spiral designs that had mellowed over the centuries to a warmgoldenbrown.When they reacheda stairwayRichardhookedhishandon thepolishedwhitemarblenewelpostandtooktothestairsheadingdown.Glancingup the stairwell, he could see it climb around the square shaft high up intodarkness,intothedistantupperreachesoftheKeep.“Wherearewegoing?”Caraasked.Richardwasabitstartledbythequestion.“Idon’tknow.”Carashothimadarklook.“Youjust thoughtwewouldgosearchthrougha

placewiththousandsuponthousandsofrooms,aplaceasbigasamountain,aplacebuiltpartlyintoamountain,untilyouhappenacrosssomething?”“There’ssomethingwrongwiththeair. I’mjustfollowingthatperceptionof

it.”“You’refollowingair,”Carasaidinaflat,mockingtone.Hersuspicionflared

again.“Youaren’ttryingtousemagic,areyou?”“Cara,youknowaswellasanyone that Idon’tknowhowtousemygift. I

couldn’tcalluponmagicifIwantedto.”Andhemostcertainlydidn’twantto.If hewere to call upon his gift the beastwould be better able to find him.

Cara,everprotective,wasworriedthathewouldcarelesslydosomethingtocallthebeastthathadbeenconjuredattheordersofEmperorJagang.Richardturnedhisattentionbacktotheproblemathandandtriedtodiscern

what it was about the air that seemed so strange to him. He put his mind toanalyzingpreciselywhatitwasthathesensed.Hethoughtthatitfeltsomethingliketheairduringathunderstorm.Ithadthatedgy,spookyquality.Atthebottom,severalflightsdownthewhitemarblestairs,theyemergedina

simple corridor made of stone blocks. They followed the corridor straightthroughseveral intersectionsandcametoahaltasRichardstareddownadarkspiral of stone steps with an iron railing. Cara followed as he finally starteddown.Atthebottomtheypassedthroughashortpassagewithabarrelceilingofoakplanksbeforecomingoutintoaroomthatwasthecenterofahubofhalls.Theroundroomhadspeckled,graygranitepillarsallaroundtheoutsideholdinggildedlintelsaboveeachpassagethatwentoffintodarkness.Richard held out the lantern, squinting as he tried to see into the dark

passages.He didn’t recognize the round room, but he did recognize that theywereinapartoftheKeepthatwassomehowdifferent—differentinawaythatmadehimunderstandwhatCarameantwhenshesaid theplacemadeherskincrawl.Oneofthecorridors,unliketheothers,ledatarathersteepangledownalong ramp, apparently toward some of the deeper areas of the Keep. Hewonderedwhytherewouldbearamp,ratherthanyetmoreoftheendlessvarietyofstairs.“Thisway,”hetoldCaraasheledherdowntherampandintothedarkness.The ramp seemed endless in its descent. Finally, though, it emptied into a

grandhall that,whilenotmore thanadozen feetwide,had tobe seventy feethigh.Richard felt like an ant at the bottom of a long, narrow slit deep in theground.Totheleftsideroseanaturalrockwallthathadbeenchiseledrightoutof themountain itselfwhile tightly fit,enormousstoneblocksformed thewallontheright.Theypassedaseriesofroomsintheblockwallastheymadetheirway onward in what seemed an endless split through the mountain. As theymovedsteadilyahead,thelanternlightwasnotstrongenoughtorevealanyendinsight.Richardsuddenlyrealizedwhat itwasthathesensed.Theairfelt thewayit

occasionallyfeltintheimmediateareaaroundcertainpeopleheknewwhowerepowerfulwiththegift.Herememberedthewaytheairitselfseemedtocracklearound his former teachers, Sisters Cecilia, Armina, Merissa, and especiallyNicci.He remembered timeswhen it seemed as if the air aroundNiccimightignite,sogreatwasthesingularpowerradiatingfromher.Butthatsensationhadalwaysbeenincloseproximitytotheindividual;ithadneverbeenapervasivephenomenon.Evenbeforehesawthelightcomingfromoneoftheroomsinthedistance,he

felt theaircomingfromtheplace.Hehalfexpectedtoseetheair in theentirehallwaybeginningtosparkle.Immense, brass-clad doors stood open, leading into what appeared to be a

dimlylitlibrary.Heknewthatthiswastheplacehewaslookingfor.

Walkingthroughthosedoorswithelaborate,engravedsymbolscoveringthem,Richardfrozeinmidstrideandstaredinastonishment.A flickering flash of lightning came in through a dozen, round-topped

windows and illuminated row upon row of shelves all around the cavernousroom.Thewindows,risingtwostories,rantheentirelengthofthefarwall.Two-storypolishedmahoganycolumnsroseupbetweenthem,hungwithheavydarkgreenvelvetdraperies.Goldfringe lined theedgesof thedrapes,andswaggedtasselsheldthembackfromthewindows.Thesmallsquaresofglassthatmadeup the soaringwindowswere not clear, but thick and composed of numerousrings, as if the glass had been overly thickwhen poured.When the lightningflashed it made the glass seem to light as well. Lanterns with reflectors allaroundtheroomlenttheplaceasoftwarmglowandreflectedoffthepolishedtabletops here and there between the confused disarray of books lying openeverywhere.TheshelveswerenotwhatRichardhadat firstexpected.Therewere indeed

books on a number of them, but other shelves held clutters of objects—everything from neatly folded sparkling cloth, to iron spirals, to green glassflasks,tocomplexobjectsmadeofwoodenrods,tostacksofvellumscrolls,toancientbonesandlong,curvedfangsthatRicharddidn’trecognizeandcouldn’tbegintoguessat.When the lightning flashed again, the shadows of the window mullions

running over everything in the room, running across tables, chairs, columns,bookcases,anddesks,madeitappearasifthewholeplacewerecrackingapart.“Zedd—whatintheworldareyoudoing?”“LordRahl,”Carasaid ina lowvoicefromrightoverhisshoulder,“I think

yourgrandfathermustbecrazy.”ZeddturnedtopeerbrieflyatRichardandCarastandingbackinthedoorway.

Theoldman’swavywhitehair, standingout in everydirection, lookedapaleshade of orange in the lamplight, but white as snow whenever the lightningflashed.“We’reabitbusyrightnow,myboy.”Inthecenteroftheroom,Niccifloatedjustaboveoneofthemassivetables.

Richard blinked, trying to be sure that he really sawwhat he thought he saw.Nicci’sfeetwereclearofthetablebyahand’swidth.Shestoodpoiseddead-stillinmidair.Asimpossibleandstartlingassuchasightwas,thatwasn’ttheworstofit.On

thetopofthetablewasdrawnamagicaldesignknownasaGrace.Itappearedtohavebeendrawnwithblood.

LikeacurtainencirclingNicci,unmovinglinesalsohungsuspendedintheairabovetheGrace.Richardhadseenanumberofgiftedpeopledrawspell-formsbefore,sohewasprettysurethatthatwaswhathewasseeing,buthehadneverseenanythingapproachingthismidairmaze.Consummatelycomplex,composedoflinesofglowinggreenlight,ithungin

theairlikeathree-dimensionalspell-form.Inthecenterof that intricategeometricframeworkNiccifloatedasstillasa

statue.Herexquisitefeaturesseemedfrozentostone.Onehandwasliftedoutaways.Thefingersofherotherhand,atherside,werespread.Herfeetweren’tlevel,asifstanding,butdangledasifshewereinmid-jump.

Herfallofblondhairwasliftedoutalittle,asifinthemidstofthatjumpupintotheairherhairhadrisenawayfromherhead,justbeforeshewasabouttocomebackdown…andatthatpreciseinstantshehadbeenturnedtostone.Shedidn’tlookalive.

Chapter4Richardstoodtransfixed,staringatNiccipoisedinmidairjustaboveaheavy

library table, a net of glowing green geometric lines tangled all around her.Nothingonhermoved.Shedidn’tappear tobebreathingatall.Herblueeyesstaredunblinkingintothedistance,asifgazingonaworldonlyshecouldsee.Her familiar, exquisite features lookedperfectly preserved in thegreenish castgivenoffbytheglowinglines.Richardthoughtthatshelookedmoredeadthanalive, thewayacorpseina

casketlookedjustbeforebeinglaidtorest.Itwasanimpossiblybeautifulandatthesametimeprofoundlyalarmingsight.

Sheappearedtobenothingsomuchasalifelessstatuemadeoffleshandlight.Skeins of her blond hair in twisting, gentle arcs and curves, even individualstrands of hair, stood out unmoving in midair. Richard kept expecting her tofinallyandsuddenlyfinishherfallbacktothetable.Whenherealizedthathewasholdinghisbreathheatlastletitout.Seemingly in sympathy with the tempestuous intensity of the lightning out

beyondthewallofwindows,theairintheroomfairlycrackledwiththepowerthathadbeenfocusedintowhatwasobviously,eventoRichard’suntrainedeye,anextraordinaryconjuring.Ithadbeenthatrarequalitytotheair thathadfirstcaughthisattentionbackinthesmallreadingroom.Forthelifeofhim,Richardcouldnotimaginewhatwasgoingon,whatcould

be the purpose of such a use of magic. He was at once fascinated by it anddisconcerted that he knew so little about such things. More than anything,though,hefoundthesightdarklyfrightening.HavinggrownupinWestland,wheretherehadbeennomagic,hesometimes

wondered what he had missed—especially at times like this, when he fellhopelessly ignorant. But at other times, likewhenKahlan had been taken, hehaledmagicandwishedneveragaintohaveanythingtodowithit.Those devoted to the teachings of the Imperial Order would find cynical

satisfactionatsuchcoldthoughtsaboutmagiccomingfromtheLordRahl.Despitehavinggrownupunawareofmagic,Richardhadsincecometolearn

afewthingsaboutit.Forone,heknewthattheGracedrawnunderNicciwasapowerful device used by thosewith the gift. He also knew that drawing it inbloodwassomethingthatwasrarelydoneandeventheninonlythegravestofcircumstances.Asheglancedat theglistening linesofblood thatmadeup the formof the

Grace, Richard noticed something that made the hair at the back of his neckstandonend.OneofNicci’sfeetwaspoisedoverthecenteroftheGrace—the

partrepresentingtheCreator’slight,fromwhereemanatednotonlylifebuttheraysthatrepresentedthegiftthatpassedthroughlife,theveil,andthenonintotheeternityoftheunderworld.Nicci’sother foot,however,was frozenmere inchesabove the tablebeyond

theouterringofthedrawing—overthepartrepresentingtheunderworld.Nicci hung suspendedbetween theworld of life and theworld of the dead.

Richardknewthatsuchathingwashardlytrivialhappenstance.He focusedbeyond the startling sight ofNicci floating inmidair and in the

shadows beyond saw Nathan and Ann occasionally illuminated by flashes oflightning, like ghosts flickering in and out of existence. They, too, solemnlywatchedNicciinthecenteroftheglowingspell-form.Zedd, one hand on a bony hip, his other running a slender finger down his

smooth jaw, slowlymoved around the table, observing the evergrowing, evermoreintricatepatternofglowinggreenlines.Outside, through the tallwindows, lightningcontinued to flash inharsh fits,

buttherumbleofthunderwasmutedbythethickstoneoftheKeep.RichardgazedupatNicci’sface.“Isshe…issheallright?”Zedd lookedover as if hehad forgotten thatRichardhadentered the room.

“What?”“Issheallright?”Zedd’sbushybrowsdrewtogether.“HowwouldIknow?”Richard threw his arms up and let them flop down in dumbfounded alarm.

“Well,forcryingoutloud,Zedd,aren’tyoutheonewhoputherthere?”“Notexactly,”Zeddmuttered,rubbinghispalmstogetherashemovedon.Richardsteppedcloser to the tablebelowNicci.“What’sgoingon?IsNicci

allright?Issheindanger?”Zedd finally looked back and sighed. “Wedon’t exactly know for sure,my

boy.”Nathancameoutoftheshadowsandtowardthetable,intothegreenishlight.

Thetallprophet’sdarkazureeyeswereclearlytroubled.Heopenedhishandsina gesture of reassurance, his long white hair brushing his shoulders as heshruggedslightly.“Wethinksheisallright,Richard.”“Sheshouldbejustfine,”AnnassuredhimasshejoinedNathan.The broad-shouldered prophet towered over her. In her plainwoolen dress,

with her grayinghair gathered back into a loose bun, she looked all themoreplain beside Nathan. Richard thought that just about anyone would probablylookplainbesideNathan.Richard gestured, indicating the net of geometric lines that encased Nicci.

“Whatisthisthing?”“Averificationweb,”hisgrandfathersaid.Richardfrowned.“Verification?Verificationofwhat?”“Chainfire,” Zedd told him in a somber voice. “We’re trying to figure out

preciselyhowaChainfireeventfunctionssothatwecanseeifthereisawaytoreverseit.”Richardscratchedhistemple.“Oh.”Hewas liking thewhole thing less and less.He desperatelywanted to find

Kahlan,yethewasdeeplyworried forwhat couldhappen toNicci in suchanattempt to unravel mysterious powers created by ancient wizards. As FirstWizard,Zeddhadabilitiesand talents thatRichardcouldnotbegin to fathom,andyetthosewizardsinancienttimesfarsurpassedZedd’sgift.WithasmuchasZedd,Nathan,Ann,andNicciknew,aspowerfulastheyallwere,theywerestilldabblingwiththingsoutsidetheirexperience,thingsbeyondtheirability,thingsthateventhoseancientwizardsfeared.Still,whatchoicedidtheyhave?BesidescaringdeeplyforNicci,RichardneededhertohelphimfindKahlan.

WhiletheothersmightinsomeareasbemorepowerfulormoreknowledgeablethanNicci,thesumofeverythingaboutherputheronadifferentplane.Shewasprobablythemostpowerfulsorceressevertohavedrawnabreath.Whatotherscoulddowithagreateffort,Niccicoulddowithaglance.Asremarkableasthatwas, to Richard that was probably one of the least remarkable things aboutNicci.OtherthanKahlan,hedidn’tknowanyonewhocouldfocusonagoalastenaciouslyasNicci.Caracouldbejustasunflinchingaboutdefendinghim,butNicciwasable tocenter thatkindof tenacityonanythingshesethermind to.Backwhenshehadfoughtagainsthim,herrecklessdeterminationmadehernotjustbrutallyeffectivebutprofoundlydangerous.Richardwasgladallthathadchanged.SincethesearchforKahlanhadbegun,

Niccihadbecomehisclosestandmoststeadfastfriend.Nicciknew,though,thathisheartbelongedtoKahlanandthatcouldneverchange.Herakedhisfingersbackthroughhishair.“Well,whyissheupthereinthe

middleofthething?”“She’s the only one of uswho knows how to use SubtractiveMagic,”Ann

saidinsimplesummary.“AChainfireeventneedsSubtractiveelementstoigniteitandthentomakeitfunction.We’retryingtounderstandthewholespell—boththeAdditiveandSubtractivecomponents.”Richardsupposedthatmadesense,butitstilldidn’tmakehimfeelanybetter

aboutit.“AndNicciagreedtothis?”Nathanclearedhisthroat.“Itwasheridea.”

Ofcourseitwas.Richardsometimesthoughtthewomanhadadeathwish.Itwastimeslikethisthathewishedheknewmoreaboutsuchthings.Hewas

feelingignorantagain.Hegesturedupatthetotalityofeverythingfloatingabovethe table. “Inever realized thatverificationwebsusedpeople. Imean, Ineverknewthatsuchwebswerecastaroundsomeonelikethat.”“Neitherdidwe,exactly,”Nathansaidinthatdeep,commandingvoiceofhis.Richard felt uncomfortable under the prophet’s gaze, so he turned to Zedd.

“Whatdoyoumean?”Zedd shrugged. “This is the first time any of us has ever done an aspect

analysis of a verification web from an interior perspective. To do so requiresSubtractiveMagic,socastingaverificationwebinthismannerprobablyhasn’tbeendoneinperhapsthousandsofyears.”“Thenhowdidyouknowhowtodoit?”“Justbecausenoneofushaseverdonesuchathing,”Annsaid,“doesn’tmean

wehaven’tstudiedvariousaccountsofit.”Zeddgestured tooneof theother tables.“We’vebeenreading thebookyou

found—Chainfire. It’s more complex than anything any of us has ever seenbefore,sowewantedtotrytounderstandeverythingaboutit.Whilewe’veneverdone an interior perspective before, it’s really just an extension of what wealreadyknow.Aslongasyouknowhowtorunastandardverificationweb,andyouhavetherequiredelementsofthegift,youcanperformtheaspectanalysisfromaninteriorperspective.That’swhatNicciisdoing—that’swhyshehadtobetheonetodoit.”“Ifthere’sastandardprocess,thenwhywouldthismethodbeneeded?”ZeddliftedahandtowardthelinesaroundNicci.“Aninteriorperspectiveis

saidtoshowthespell-forminmorerevealingdetail—downtoamoreelementallevel—thanyouseeinthestandardverificationprocess.Sinceitissaidtoshowmorethancanbelearnedinthestandardprocess,andNicciwasabletoinitiateit,wealldecidedthatitwouldbeanadvantagetodoitthisway.”Richardwasstartingtobreathealittleeasier.“SothenusingNicciinthisway

isjustanabstractanalysis.Itmeansnothingmore.”ZeddlookedawayfromRichard’seyesashelightlyrubbedthefurrowsonhis

brow.“Thisisonlyaverificationprocess,Richard,notanignitionoftheactualevent,so,inasense,it’snotreal.Whattherealspelldoesinaninstant,thisinertform stretches out into a lengthy verification process so as to enable acomprehensiveanalysis.Althoughnotwithoutitsrisks,that’snottheviablespellitselfyouseearoundNicci.”Zeddclearedhisthroat.“Whentheactualspellwouldhavebeencast,though,

insteadofNicci, thatwouldhavebeenKahlan,and itwouldhavebeenall tooreal.”Goose bumps ran up Richard’s arms. His mouth felt so dry that he could

hardlytalk.Hecouldfeelhisheartpoundingthroughtheveinsinhisneck.Hewantedthatnottobetrue.“Butyousaid thatyouneededNicci inorder tocast thisweb.Yousaid that

youcouldonlydoitbecauseshecanworkSubtractiveMagic.Kahlanwouldn’thavebeenable todo that for theSisters—and inanyevent shewouldn’thavecooperated.”Zeddshookhishead.“TheSisterswerecastingtherealspellaroundKahlan.

They had command of Subtractive power and would have had no need forKahlan’s cooperation. We needed Nicci to work it from inside, using bothAdditive and Subtractive aspects, so that we can try to determine how itfunctions.Thetwoaren’tanalogous.”“Well,how—”“Richard,”hisgrandfathersaid,gentlycuttinghimoff,“asIsaid,we’rerather

busy.Rightnowisnotthetimetodiscussthis.Weneedtoobservetheprocesssowecantrytofigureouttheequationalbehaviorofthespell.Letusdoourjob,willyou?”Richardslippedhishandsintohisbackpockets.“Sure.”He glanced back at Cara. She wore what people might see as a blank

expression,buttoRichard,aswellasheknewher,itrevealedagreatdealandseemed to reflect his own suspicions.He turnedback to his grandfather. “Areyouhavingsomekindof…trouble?”Zeddcasttheothersasidelongglanceandonlygruntedbeforeturningbackto

studyingthegeometricformssurroundingthewomanfloatingbeforehim.Richardknewhisgrandfatherwellenoughtoknowbyhisdrawnfeaturesthat

hewaseitherunhappyorveryworried.Richarddidn’tthinkthateitherprospectauguredwell.Hebegantoworryhimself—forNicci.As theothers stoodback to take it all in, frowning in concentration as they

pondered the way the glowing verification web continued to trace new linesthrough space, Richard stepped closer. He slowly walked around the table,finally studying—for the first time, really—the lines crisscrossing through theairallaroundNicci.Ashemovedincloserandsteppedaroundthetable,herealizedthatthelines

actuallyformedacylinderinspace,likesomethingflatthathadbeenrolledup,withNicciinsidethatcylinder.Thatmeantthatallthelinesweresimplyatwo-dimensional drawing, even if they did wrap around until they met. Richard

mentallyflattenedoutthatcylindricalform,muchlikeunrollingascroll,inordertoseeitinhismindasamorecustomarylinedrawing.Whenhedidso,hebegantorealizethattherewassomethingoddlyfamiliaraboutthenetworkoflines.ThemoreRichard studied it, themorehe couldn’t stop staring at it, as if it

were pullinghim in…drawinghim into the pattern of lines, angles, and arcs.Thereseemedtobesomethingheshouldrecognizeaboutitall,buthecouldn’tfigureoutwhat.He thought that perhaps he should regard a spell-form that had been cast

aroundKahlan,asthisterriblethinghadbeen,tobeevil,buthedidn’tfeelthatway.Thespell-formexisted;itdidnotpossessthequalityofbeinggoodorevil.The ones who cast the web around Kahlan were the real evil. Those four

Sistersweretheoneswhohadusedthespellfortheirownevilends.Theyhadused itaspartof theirplan tohave theboxesofOrdenand tofree theKeeperfrom theunderworld—to loosedeathon the living.All in return forbeguilingpromisesofimmortality.Gazingatthelines,Richardbegantoscrutinizetherhythminthoselines,their

patterns,theirflow.Ashedidso,hebegantogetaninklingoftheirsignificance.Hewasbeginningtoseepurposeinthedesign.Richard pointed to a place near Nicci’s extended right arm, just below her

elbow.“Thisplace,here, iswrong,”hesaidashefrownedintothefabricwovenof

light.Zeddcametoahalt.“Wrong?”Richardhadn’trealizedthathe’dsaiditoutloud,atleastnotloudenoughfor

otherstohear.“Yes,that’sright.It’swrong.”

Chapter5Richardwentbacktostudyingthelines,tiltinghisheadtobetterfollowthem

alongastheywentthroughacomplexintersectionofroutescomingaroundfromall directions to end up beforeNicci’smiddle.Hewas beginning to grasp themeaningofthoseroutesandthelargerintentofthedesign.“I thinkthere’sasupportingstructuremissing.”Heaimedafingeroff tohis

left. “It seems like it shouldhave startedback there,don’tyou think? It lookslikethisplace,here,shouldhavealinegoingupthiswayandthenbacktothatspotnearherelbow.”His attention rivetedon the rhythmof lines,Richardwas largely lost to the

restoftheroom.“It’simpossibleforyoutoknowsuchathing,”Annsaidflatly.Hewasn’tdiscouragedbyherskepticism.“Whensomeoneshowsyouacircle

and it has a flat spot in it, you know it’swrong, don’t you?You can see theintendeddesignandknowthattheflatspotdoesn’tbelongthere.”“Richard, this is not some simple circle.You don’t even knowwhat you’re

looking at.” She caught herself before her voice rose any more, clasped herhandsbeforeherself,andtookadeepbreathbeforegoingon.“I’msimplytryingtopointoutthatthereareagreatdealofcomplexitiesinvolvedherethatyouarenot aware of. The three of us haven’t even begun to be able to unravel themechanismbehindthespell-form,andwehaveextensivetraininginsuchthings.Despiteourtrainingandknowledge,it’sstillfarfromcompleteenoughforustograsp the manner in which it functions. You don’t understand the first thingaboutsuchcomplexmotifs.”Without turning to her, Richard flicked a hand to dismiss her concern.

“Doesn’tmatter.Theformisemblematic.”Nathancockedhishead.“It’swhat?”“Emblematic,”Richardmurmuredashestudiedanintersectionoflines,trying

toidentifytheprimarystrandthroughthearchitectureofthelineation.“So?” his grandfather sputtered after Richard again fell to silent

preoccupation.“I understand the jargon of emblems,” he said, absently, as he found the

primarythreadandtraceditalongariseandfallandswirlofthepattern,allthetimecomingmoreintunewithitsintent.“Itoldyouthatbefore.”“When?”“BackwhenwewerewiththeMudPeople.”Richardimmersedhimselfinthe

flow of the design, trying to perceive the ascendant course among the lesser

branches.“Kahlanwasthere.SowasAnn.”“I’mafraid thatwedon’t remember,”ZeddadmittedafterseeingAnnshake

her head in frustration. He sighed unhappily. “Yet one more memorysurroundingKahlanlosttousbecauseofwhatthoseSistersdid.”Richard didn’t really hear him. Growing ever more agitated, he waggled a

finger back and forth at a breach in the lines just belowNicci’s elbow. “I’mtellingyou,there’salinemissing,here.I’msureofit.”Richard turned tohisgrandfather.He saw then that everyonewas staringat

him. “Right here,” he told them as he pointed again, “from the end of thisupwardrisingarc,tothisintersectionoftriangles,thereshouldbealine.”Zeddfrowned.“Aline?”“Yes.”Hedidn’t knowwhy theyhadn’t spotted it before. Itwas stone cold

obvioustoRichard,likeasongsungwithanoteofthemelodyleftout.“Alineismissing.Animportantline.”“Important,”Annrepeatedinwearyexasperation.Richard, becomingmore unsettled by themoment,wiped a hand across his

mouth.“Veryimportant.”Zeddsighed.“Richard,whatareyoutalkingabout?”“There is nowayyou couldknow such a thing,”Ann scoffed, her patience

wearingthinnerbythemoment.“Look,”Richardsaidturningbacktothem,“it’sanemblem,adesign.”Zedd scratched the back of his head, glancing briefly to the window as a

particularly violent fit of lightning flared so close that it released a crack ofthunderthatfeltlikeitmightloosenthestonewallsoftheKeep.HeturnedbacktoRichard.“Andthedesign…tellsyousomething,Richard?”“Yes.Suchadesignislikeatranslationfromanotherlanguage.Inaway,it’s

what you’re trying to understand by doing this verification web. This formcharacterizes a concept inmuch the sameway that amath equation expressesphysicalattributes,suchasanequationexpressingtheratioofthecircumferenceofacircletothediameter.Emblematicformscanbeakindoflanguage,too,thewaymathematicsisaformoflanguage.Theybothareabletorevealsomethingaboutthenatureofthings.”Zedd patiently smoothed back his hair. “You see emblems as a form of

language?”“Inaway.TaketheGraceunderneathNicci,forexample.That’sanemblem.

Theoutercirclerepresentsthebeginningoftheunderworldwhiletheinnercirclerepresentsthelimitsoftheworldoflife.Thesquareseparatingthemrepresentstheveilbetweenthoseworlds.Inthecenterisaneight-pointedstar,representing

theCreator’sLight.TheeightlinesradiatingoutfromthepointsofthatstarallthewayoutthroughtheoutercirclerepresentthegiftcarriedfromCreationallthewaythroughlife,acrosstheveil,andbeyond,intodeath.Thewholethingisanemblem;whenyouseethatemblem,youseeitasawholeconcept.Youmightsaythatyouunderstandthelanguageofit.“If,duringthecastingofaspell,someonewiththegiftdoesn’tdrawthegrace

correctly—hasn’tspokenthelanguagecorrectly—itwon’tworkasintendedandmightevencausetrouble.SayyousawaGracewithanine-pointedstar,orwithone of the circles missing, wouldn’t you know it was wrong? If the squarerepresentingtheveilwasdrawnincorrectly,thenundertherightcircumstancesitcouldeventheoreticallybreachtheveilandallowtheworldstobleedtogether.“It’sanemblem.Youunderstandtheconceptitrepresents.Youknowwhatit

shouldlooklike.Ifit’sdrawnwrong,thenyourecognizeitaswrong.”Whentheflashesoflightningflickeredtoastop,theroomfeltforsakeninthe

weak light of lamps. Distant thunder rumbled ominously up from the valleybelow.Zedd,standingstock-still,studiedRichardwithmorefocusthanhehadbeen

studyingtheverificationweb.“I’veneverlookedatitinquitethatwaybefore,,Richard,butIgrantthatyoumighthaveapoint.”Nathanarchedabrow.“Hecertainlydoes.”Annsighed.“Perhaps.”Richardturnedfromtheirdourexpressionsbacktotheglowinglines.“This,

righthere,”hesaid,gesturing,“iswrong.”Zedd stretched his neck to peer at the lines. “Let’s just say for the sake of

argumentthatyou’reright.Whatdoyouthinkitmeans?”Richard’s heart hammered as he made his way around the table, swiftly

tracinglinesthroughthespell.Heusedafinger,keepingitjustclearofthelinesof light, to tracktheprimarypathways, thesweepsof thepattern, thefabricoftheform.He found what he was expecting. “Here. Look here, at this newly formed

structure that has built up around these older, original lines. Look at thedisorderednatureof thisnewcluster; they’reavariable,but in thisemblemoflinesitshouldallbeaconstant.”“Variable… ?” Zedd sputtered, as if having thought he was following

Richard’sreasoning,hadinsteadsuddenlyfoundthathewascompletelylost.“Yes,”Richardsaid.“It’snotemblematic.It’sabiologicalform.Thetwoare

clearlydifferent.”Nathanwipedbothhandsbackoverhiswhitehairashesighedbutremained

silent.Ann’s face had gone crimson. “It’s a spell-form! It’s inert! It can’t be

biological!”“That’stheproblem,”Richardsaid,answeringherpointratherthanheranger.

“You can’t have these kind of variables tainting what’s supposed to be aconstant. Itwouldbe likeamathequation inwhichanyof thenumberscouldspontaneouslychange theirvalue.Sucha thingwould rendermath invalidandunworkable. Algebraic symbols can vary—but even then they are specificrelational variables. The numbers, though, are constants. Same with thisstructure;emblemshavetobeconstructedofinertconstants—youmightsaylikesimpleadditionorsubtraction.An internalvariablecorrupts theconstantofanemblematicform.”“Idon’tfollow,”Zeddadmitted.Richardgesturedtothetable.“YoudrewtheGraceinblood.TheGraceisa

constant.Thebloodisbiological.Whydidyoudoitthatway?”“Tomakeitwork,”Annsnapped.“Wehadtodoitthatwayinordertoinitiate

an interiorperspectiveof theverificationweb.That’s thewayit’sdone.That’sthemethod.”Richardheldup a finger. “Exactly.Youdeliberately introduced a controlled

biological variable—blood—into what is a constant—a Grace. Keep in mindthough, that it remainsoutsidethespell-formitself; it’smerelyanempoweringagent,acatalyst.IthinkitmustbethatsuchavariableintheGraceallowsthespellyouinitiatedtorunitscoursewithoutbeinginfluencedbyaconstant—theGrace.Doyousee?ItgivestheverificationwebnotonlythepowerinvokedbytheGrace,butthefreedomgainedthroughthebiologicalvariabletoallowittogrowasitneedstoinordertorevealitstruenatureandintent.”When Zedd glanced her way, Cara said, “Don’t look at me.Whenever he

startsinlikethisIjustnodandsmileandwaituntilthetroublestarts.”Zeddmadeasourface.Onehandonahip,hetookafewpacesawaybefore

turning back. “I’ve never in all my years heard such an explanation of averificationweb. It’s quite a uniqueway of looking at it. Themost troublingthing is that, in a perverseway, it actuallymakes sense. I’mnot saying that Ithinkyou’reright,Richard,butitcertainlyisadisturbingnotion.”“If you’re right,” Nathan said, “it would mean that we’ve been children

playingwithfirealltheseyears.”“That’sifhe’sright,”Annaddedunderherbreath.“Soundsaticktoocleverto

me.”Richardstaredupatthewomanfrozeninspace,thewomanwhocouldnotat

themomentspeakforherself.“WhoseblooddidyouusetodrawtheGrace?”heaskedtheothersbehindhim.“Nicci’s,”Nathansaid.“Shesuggested itherself.Shesaid itwas theproper

methodandtheonlywaytomakeitwork.”Richardturnedtothem.“Nicci’s.YouusedNicci’sblood?”Zeddnodded.“That’sright.”“Youcreatedavariable…withherblood…andyouputherinsideofit?”“BesidesbeingwhatNiccitoldushadtobedone,”Annsaid,“wehavealot

of research and reason to have confidence that this is the proper method ofinitiatinganinteriorperspective.”“I’msureyou’reright—undernormalcircumstances.Sinceyouallknowthe

propermethodfordoingsuchthings,thenthatcanonlymeanthatthecorruptionisfardifferentthananyordinaryproblemthatcouldbeanticipatedtoariseintheverificationprocess.”Richardrakedhisfingersbackthroughhishair.“Itwouldhavetobesomething…Idon’tknow.Somethingunimaginable.”Zeddshrugged.“YoureallybelievethathavingNicci intherewhenshewas

the sourceof theblood topower thewebcouldmean something troublesome,Richard?”Richardpinchedhislowerlipashepaced.“Maybenotiftheoriginatingspell-

form you were verifying were pure. But this one isn’t. It’s contaminated byanother biological variable. I think that providing the source of the controlvariable—Nicci—mightallowthecontaminationallthelatitudeitneeds.”“Meaning?”Nathanasked.Richardgesturedashepaced.“Meaningthatit’slikethrowingoilonafire.”“Ithinkthestormislettingourimaginationsgetcarriedaway,”Annsaid.“What biological variable could possibly contaminate a verification web?”

Nathanasked.Richard turned back and stared at the lines, following them around to that

terriblearcthatendedwhenitshouldbesupported.Heglancedacrosstheemptyspacetothewaitingintersection.“Idon’tknow,”hefinallyadmitted.Zeddsteppedcloser.“Richard,yourideasareoriginal,andtheyarecertainly

thought-provoking,I’llgrantyouthat.Anditcouldbethattheymayprovideususeful insights tohelpusunderstandmore thanweotherwisemighthave.Butnoteverythingyousayiscorrect.Someofitissimplywrong.”Richardglancedbackoverhisshoulder.“Really?Likewhat?”Zeddshrugged.“Well, forone thing,biological formscanbeemblematicas

well.Isnotanoakleafbiological?Don’tyourecognizethatemblematicform?

Isn’t a snake something that canbe expressedwith an emblem? Isn’t awholeentity,sayatreeoraman,abletoberepresentedemblematically?”Richard blinked. “You’re right. I never thought of it that way, but you’re

right.”Heturnedbacktothespell-form,viewingtheareaofbiologicalcontamination

withneweyes.Hescannedtheconfusingmass,tryingtomakesenseofit,tryingtodiscernapattern.Tryashemight, though, it seemeduseless.Therewasnopattern.Butwhynot? If its delineationwasbiological in origin, as heknew itwas,

then,accordingtoZedd,thereshouldbesomekindofsourcepatternexpressedwithinthatdepiction.Buttherewasnone.Itwasnothingmorethanaconfusingmassalltangledupinanestofmeaninglesslines.Andthenherealizedthathethoughtherecognizedasmallportionwithinthat

mass. It looked… somehow liquid. But that made no sense, because he sawanotherpart that lookedalmost theopposite.Thatother fragment lookedmorelikeanemblematicrepresentationoffire.Unlesstherewasmorethanoneelementtoit.Atreecouldhaveanoakleaf

emblem,anacorn,ortheformthatrepresentedthewholetree.Andwhatwastosay that it couldn’t be three different things all contaminating the spell-formtogether.Threethings.Hesawthem,then—eachofthosethreeelements.Water.Fire.Air.Theywereallthere,alltangledtogether.“Dearspirits,”Richardwhispered,hiseyesgoingwide.Hestraightened.Goosebumpstingleduphisarms.“Getheroutofthere.”“Richard,”Nathansaid,“she’sperfectly—”“Getheroutofthere!Getheroutnow!”“Richard—”Annstarted.“Itoldyou—thespell-formhasaflaw!”“Well that’s what we’re trying to find out, now, isn’t it?” Ann said with

exaggeratedpatience.“Youdon’tunderstand.”Richardgestured toward thewallof softlyglowing

lines.“Thisisn’tthekindofflawthatanyonewouldbelookingfor.Thisonewillkillher.Thespellisnolongerinert—it’smutating.It’sbecomingviable.”“Viable?” Zedd’s expression twisted with incredulity. “How could you

possibly—”“Youhavetogetheroutofthere!Getheroutnow!”

Chapter6Althoughshecouldn’tmove,couldn’t speak,Nicciwasawareofeverything

thatwasbeingsaid,even if thevoicessoundedhollow,distant, temporal,as ifcomingfromsomefarawayworldbeyondthegreenishshroud.Shewanted toscreamListen tohim!But,held tightlyasshewaswithin the

bosomofthecasting,shecouldnot.More thananything,shewantedoutof the terrible tangleofcrushingpower

thatencasedher.She hadn’t understood the truemeaning of an interior perspective before—

noneof themhad.Noneof themcouldhaveguessed at the reality.Only afterinitiatingtheprocesshadshediscoveredthatsuchaperspectivewasnotsimplyaway to view a verificationweb inmore detail from the inside, as they hadthought, but rather ameans for the person doing the analysis to experience itwithinthemselves.Bythenitwastoolateandshecouldnottelltheothersthatwhat it meant was that she would be perceiving the spell-form by having itignitedwithinher.Thepartsurroundingherwasthemereauraoftheconjuredpowerthathaddawnedwithinher.Ithadatfirstbeenarevelationborderingonthedivine.Notlongaftertheyhadinitiatedit,though,somethinghadbeguntogowrong.

What had been a profoundly beautiful form of vision had deteriorated intohorrific agony. Every new line that sliced through space around her had acorrespondinginterioraspectthatfeltasifitwereslashingthroughhersoul.Inthebeginningshehaddiscoveredthatpleasurewaspartofthemechanism

bywhichoneperceivedthespellasitunfolded.Inmuchthesamewayinwhichpleasure could confirmwholesome, fitting aspects of life, it likewise revealedthe intricate nature of the spell-form in all its glory. It felt like watching aparticularly beautiful sunrise, or tasting a delightful confection, or gazing intotheeyesofsomeoneyoulovedandhavingthemgazebackinthesameway.Or,atleast,itwaslikewhatsheimagineditwouldfeelliketohavethemgazebackinthatway.Shehadalsodiscoveredthat,asinlife,painpointedoutgrievousdisorders.Nicciwouldneverhaveguessedthatsuchamethodhadoncebeencommonly

used to analyze the inner functioning of a constructedmagic—of gauging itsinnerhealth.Shewouldneverhaveguessedthecomplexityorextentofwhatthemethod could reveal. She would never have guessed howmuch it could hurtwhensomethingwithinthespellwentawry.Shewonderedifshewouldstillhaveinsistedondoingsuchathinghadshe

known.Sheguessedthatshewouldhave,ifithadachanceofhelpingRichard.

Atthatmoment,though,therewaslittleelsethatmatteredtoherbutthepain.Itwasbeyondanything shehad ever experienced.Not even thedreamwalkerhimselfhadbeenabletogiveher thismuchpain.Itwasalmost impossibleforhertothinkofanythingbutherwantofbeingfreefromtheagony.Sogreatwasthemagnitudeof thetaintwithinthespell that therewasnodoubt inhermindthatexperiencingitwould,forher,befatal.Richardhadshownthemtheplaceithadbeguntogowrong.Hehadpointed

out the fundamentaldefect.Thatcontaminationconcealedwithin thespellwaspullingherapart.ShecouldfeelherlifebleedingawaybeyondthatterribleoutercircleoftheGrace.ThatGrace,drawnwithherblood,hadbecomeherlife,anditwouldbeherdeath.For themoment,Nicci straddled twoworlds,neitherof themwholly real to

her.Whilestillintheworldoflife,shecouldfeelherselfinexorablyslippingintothatdarkvoidbeyond.Allthewhile,theworldoflifearoundherwaslosingitsvibrance.Shewasatthatmomentwillingtoletitallgo,toletherselfslipforeverinto

theeternityofnonexistence,ifonlyitwouldmeanthatthepainwouldend.Eventhoughshecouldnotmove,Niccicouldseeeverythingintheroom—not

withhereyes,butwithhergift.Evenbeyondthesuffering,sherecognizedsuchanexotic formofsightasanextraordinaryexperience.Vision throughhergiftalonehada singularquality that approachedomniscience.Shecould seemorethanhereyeshadeverallowedhertosee.Despiteheragony,therewasaquietmajestytoitall.Beyond the net of greenish lines, Richard looked from one startled face to

another.“What’sthematterwithallofyou?Youhavetogetheroutofthere!”BeforeAnncouldlaunchintoalecture,Zeddgesturedforhertokeepquiet.

Once sure her lipswould stay pressed tightly together, he turned his attentionbacktohisgrandson.Anotherlinedepartedanintersectionandtracedapaththroughspace.Itfeltto

Niccilikeadullknittingneedletakingastitchinhersoul,pullingtheagonyofthatthreadoflightthroughherasitboundherevermoretightlytoadarkdeath.Itwasallshecoulddotoremainconscious.Surrenderwasseemingsweeterbythemoment.Zeddgestureduptowardher.“Wecan’t,Richard.Thesethingshavetoruna

course.Theverificationweb runs itself througha seriesof connectionsand inthatwayrevealsinformationaboutitsnature.Oncetheverificationprocesshasbegun,it’simpossibletohaltit.Ithastorunitscoursetocompletionandthenit

extinguishes.”Nicciknewthegrimtruthofit.Richardseizedhisgrandfather’sarm.“Howlong?”Heshooktheoldmanlike

aragdoll.“Howlongdoestheprocesstake?”ZeddpriedRichard’sfingersoffhisarm.“We’veneverseenaspelllikethis.

It’shardtosay.Butascomplexasit’sprovingtobeIcan’timagineittakinglessthanthreeorfourhours.She’sbeeninthereanhouralreadysoitwillbehoursyetbeforeitrunsitscourseandextinguishes.”Nicciknewthatshedidn’thavehours.Shehadmeremomentsbeforethepull

ofthecontaminationdrewherforeverbeyondtheveilandintotheworldofthedead.Shethoughtitastrangewayforherlifetoend.Sounexpected.Souneventful.

Sopointless.Shewouldat leasthavewanted it tobeanend that insomewaywould have helped Richard, or to have been after they knew that they hadaccomplishedsomething.Shewishedherdeathcouldhaveat leastboughthimsomethingofvalue.Richardturnedbacktogazeupather.“Shewon’tlastthatlong.Wehaveto

getoutoftherenow.”Inwardly, throughheragony,shesmiled.Totheend.Richardwouldfight to

theendagainstdeath.“Richard,”Zeddsaid,“Ican’timaginehowyoucouldpossiblyknowsucha

thing, and I’m not saying that I don’t believe you, but we can’t shut down averificationweb.”“Whynot?”“Well,”Zeddsaidashesighed,“thetruthis,Idon’tevenknowifsuchathing

is possible, but even if itwere, none of us knows how to do it. The standardverificationprocessbuildssafeguardstoshielditselffromtampering.Thisthingisanorderofmagnitudemorecomplexandinvolved.”“Ratherliketryingtodismountinmidgallopwhileracingalongaridgeline,”

thetallprophetsaid.“Youneedtowaituntilthehorseisfinishedrunningbeforeyoujumpoff,oryouwillonlybeleapingtoyourdeath.”Richardreturnedtothetable,franticallystudyingthestructureconstructedof

light.Nicciwonderedifherealizedthat,whileitwastoadegreetangible,whathewasseeingexistedmainlyasamereaurarepresentingtherealpowerragingthroughher.Asanotherlineadvancedfromanintersectionatananglethatwasdreadfully

wrong,Niccigaspedinwardly.Shefeltsomethingvitalwithinherbeingslowlyripped open. The pain of it sang through the marrow of her bones. She saw

darknesslayeredovertheroom,andknewshewasseeingintoanotherworld,thedarkworldwheretherewouldbenomorepain.Shebegantoallowherselftodrifttowardthatworld.Andthenshesawsomethingintheotherworldlyshadows.Shecaughtherself,

heldherselfbackfromthedarkbrinkofdeath.Something with glowing eyes, like twin coals, gazed out from the dark

shadows.ThemalevolentintentofthatfurnacegazewasfixedonRichard.Niccistruggleddesperatelytocalloutawarning.Itcleavedherheartthatshe

couldnot.“Look,”Richardwhisperedashegazedupather,“there’satearrunningdown

hercheek.”Annsadlyshookherhead.“Probablybecausesheisn’tblinking,that’sall.”Richard’shands fisted in frustrationashemovedaround the table, trying to

decipher the meaning of the lines. “We have to find a way to shut the thingdown.Therehastobeaway.”Richard’sgrandfatherlaidahandgentlyonthebackofRichard’sshoulder.“I

swear,Richard,IwoulddoasyouwantifIcould,butIknowofnomethodtohaltaverificationweb.Andwhatisitthathasyousofiredup,anyway?Whythesuddenurgency?Whatisitthatyouthinkiscontaminatingthespell-form?”Nicci’s attention was locked on the thing watching out from the shadowy

world of the dead.Whenever the lightning flared, illuminating the room, thethingwiththeglowingeyeswasn’tthere.Onlywhendarknessagainfellovertheroomcouldsheseeit.Richard’seyesturnedfromstudyingthelinestogazeupatNicci’sface.She

wantednothingsomuchasforhimtoreachoutandpullherfreeoftheagonyofthe spell thathad impaledheron lethal shardsofmagic,but sheknew thathecouldnot.Rightthen,shewouldhavewillinglygivenupherlifeforonemomentinhisarms.Richard’sanswerfinallycameinasoftresignation.“Thechimes.”Ann rolledher eyes.Nathan let out a sighof relief, as if henowknew that

Richardwasmerelyimaginingthings.Zedd’s brow lifted. “The chimes?Richard, I’m afraid that this time you’ve

gottenitwrong.Thatsimplyisn’tpossible.Thechimesareunderworldelements.Whiletheycertainlylusttoenterourworld,theycan’t.They’reforevertrappedintheunderworld.”“I know very well what the chimes are,” Richard said in a near whisper.

“Kahlanfreedthem.Shefreedthemtosavemylife.”“Shecouldn’tpossiblyknowhowtodosuchathing.”

“Nathan toldherhow, toldher theirnames:Reechani,Sentrosi,Vasi.Water,fire,air.Callingthemwastheonlywayforhertosavemylife.Itwasanactofdesperation.”Nathan’smouthfellopeninsurprisebutheofferednoargument.Anncasta

suspiciousglareupattheprophet.Zeddspreadhishands.“Richard,shemayhavethoughtshewascallingthem,

but I assure you, such a thing is monumentally complex. Besides, we wouldknowifthechimeswerefreeinourworld.Beateaseaboutthismuchofit.Thechimesarenotloose.”“Notanymore,”Richardsaidwithgrimfinality.“Ibanishedthembacktothe

underworld.ButKahlanalwaysbelievedthatbecausesheunknowinglybroughtthemintoourworldithadengenderedthebeginningofthedestructionofmagicitself—thecascadeeffect,asyouoncedescribedittous.”Zeddwastakenaback.“Thecascadeeffect…youcouldonlyhaveheardthat

fromme.”Richardnoddedashestaredoffintomemories.“Shetriedtoconvincemethat

magichadbeentaintedbythepresenceofthechimes,andthatbanishingthembacktotheunderworldwouldnothaltthattaint.Ineverknewwhetherornotshewasright.NowIdo.”He pointed up at that awful place before Nicci, that core of her pain, her

agony,herend.“Thereistheproof.Notthechimes,butthecorruptiontheirpresencecaused:

thecontaminationofmagic.Thatcontaminationhasinfectedthisworld.Itwasdrawntothestrengthofthismagic.IthasinfectedtheChainfirespellanditwillkillNicciifwedon’tgetheroutofthere.”The roomhadgrowndarker yet.Nicci could hardly see through the veil of

pain.ButshecouldstillseethosesinistereyesbehindRichard,intheshadows,watching,waiting.NoonebutNicciknewthatitwasthere,inthatspectralplacebetweenworlds.Richardwouldneverknowwhathithim.Niccihadnowaytowarnhim.Shefeltanothertearrolldownherface.Richard, seeing that tear drip from her jaw, leaned close. With quiet

determination, he used a finger to trace the primary pathways, the supportingjunctures,andthemainframeworkoftheemblem,ashecalledit.“Itshouldbefeasible,”heinsisted.Annlookedbesideherselfbutsheremainedsilent.Nathanwatchedwithstony

resignation.

Zedd pushed his simple robes farther up his bony arms. “Richard, it’simpossibletoshutdownaregularverificationweb,muchlessonesuchasthis.”“No,it’snot,”Richardsaid,irritably.“Here.Seehere?Youhavetointerrupt

thisroute,here,first.”“Bags, Richard, how am I supposed to do such a thing! The spell shields

itself. This web is powered by Subtractive as well as AdditiveMagic. It hasintegralshieldsconstructedofboth.”Richardstaredathisgrandfather’scrimsonfaceamomentbeforeturningback

to themazeof lines.HegazedupatNicci again and thencarefully inserted ahandinthroughthenetoflinestotouchNicci’sblackdress.“Iwon’tletithaveyou,”hewhisperedtoher.Nowordshadeversoundedsweeter,evenifsheknewhecouldnotunderstand

theimpossibilityofhispromise.Whenhisfingertouchedherdress,thepatternsshiftedfromtwo-dimensional

tothree-dimensionalformsthatlookedmorelikeathornbushthanaspell-form.It felt to Nicci as if he had just twisted a knife through her insides. She

struggledtoremainconscious.Shefocusedontheglowingeyesintheshadows.ShehadtofindawaytowarnRichard.Hishandpaused.Hecarefullypulleditbackout.Thepatternflattenedtotwo-

dimensional.Nicciwouldhavesighedinreliefcouldshebreathe.“Didyouseethat?”heasked.Zeddnodded.“Icertainlydid.”Richardglancedbackoverhisshoulderathisgrandfather.“Isitsupposedto

dothat?”“No.”“I didn’t think so. It’s supposed to be inert, but the biological variable

contaminatingithaschangedthenatureofthehostspell-form.”Zedd’s expression tightened as he considered. “It seems pretty obvious that

whateverisgoingon,it’schangingthewaythespellworks.”Richardnodded.“Worse,it’sarandomvariable.Thecontaminationcausedby

thechimes’presenceinthisworldisbiological—itevolves.Probablysothat itcan attack different kinds of magic. This spell will undoubtedly continue tomutate. There’s probably no way to predict how it will change, but from theevidence here, it appears that it’s only going to become more virulent. As ifChainfire isn’t troubleenough, this couldmake itworse. It couldevenbe thateveryone affected by it will develop problems beyond their memory lossrevolvingaroundKahlan.”

“Whatmakesyousaythat?”Zeddasked.“JustlookathowmanymemoriesofeventsonlytangenttoKahlanyou’veall

lost. The lostmemories could even be themeans bywhich the contaminationinfectsthosepeopletouchedbytheeffectsoftheChainfireevent.”AsiftheChainfireeventbeingloosedontheworldweren’tpotentiallydeadly

enough,itnowseemedcatastrophicbeyondimagining.Ann was bottled fury. She gritted her teeth. “Where did you learn such

gibberish?”Zeddflashedherascowl.“Bequiet.”“Itoldyou,Iunderstandemblematicdesigns.Thisoneisamess.”Nathanglancedtothewindowsastheylitwithflashesoflightning.Whenthe

room again fell to darkness,Nicci could again see the thingwatching from adarkworld.“Andyousincerelybelievethatit’ssomehowharmingNicci?”Zeddasked.“Iknowitis.Lookatthisdivergence,righthere.Suchathingislethaleven

withoutthisaddedbreachoverhere.Iknowalotaboutrepresentationaldesignsinvolvinglethality.”Zedd gaveRichard a forbidding look. “I need to knowwhat you’re talking

about,whatyoumeanby‘representationaldesignsinvolvinglethality.’““Later.Wehavetogetheroutofthere,first,andwehavetogetheroutnow.”Zeddshookhisheadinresignation.“IwishIknewaway,Richard,Itrulydo,

butasI’vesaid,Idon’t.Ifyoutrytopullheroutoftherebeforetheverificationhasrunitscourse,thatalonewillkillherforsure.ThatmuchIdoknow.”“Why?”“Because her life is in a way suspended. Don’t you see that she isn’t

breathing? The spell-form surrounding her supports her lifewhile she cannot,whilethewebrunsthroughtheverification.Sheis,inaway,nowapartofthespellitself.Pullherout,andyouwillbepullingheroutofthemechanismthatiskeepingheralive.”Nicci’sheartsank.Foramoment,shehadbeguntobelieveRichard,tobelieve

thathecoulddoit.Itwasnottobe.All thewhile theglowingeyeswatched.Shecouldsee theshapeof it,now,

standingthereinthedarkshadowsbesideatallshelf.Itlookedsomethinglikeamantwistedintoafearsomebeastofsinewandknottedmuscle.Itseyesgleamedoutfromthedarknessofdeathitself.It was the beast that hunted Richard. The beast sent by Jagang, the dream

walker.Shewould have done anything to stop it, to keep it fromRichard, but she

couldnotmoveamuscle.Witheverynewlineof light,shewasbeingstitchedtighter and tighter to her fate, pulled inexorably into the darkness of eternitybeyondlife.“Evenifit’smutating,”Richardsaidasifthinkingaloud,“itstillhaselements

thatsupportitwhileitgrows.”“Richard, a verificationweb is self-generating.Even if itwasmutating like

yousay,thereisnowaytohaltsuchanevent.”“If it can be shut down,” Richardmurmured, “it will release her—thenwe

won’tbepullingheroutofitwhileherlifeisstillbeingsupportedbythespell.”Sighing,Zedd shook his head as if he thoughtRichard hadn’t understood a

thinghe’dsaid.Richardstudiedthelinesonelasttime,thenabruptlyreachedoutandplaced

his finger at an intersection that had been created back before the area ofcontamination.Thelineextinguishedathisfinger.“Dearspirits,”Nathansaidasheleanedin.Theshadowtookastepforward.Niccicouldnowseeitsfangs.Thelinethathadextinguishedfeltasifitpulledherinsidesoutwithit.Nicci

foughttoclingtolife.Ifhereallycoulddoit, ifhereallycouldextinguishthespell,shehadachancetowarnhim.Ifshecouldholdonthatlong.Richardwithdrewhisfinger.Thelineignitedagain.Itlancedthroughherlike

arazor-sharpspear.Theworldflickered.“See?”ZeddreachedouttoduplicatewhatRichardhaddone,butwithayelpofpain

pulledhishandbackasifhe’dbeenburned.“It’sshieldedwithSubtractiveMagic,”Annsaid.Zeddshotheramurderousscowl.“And remember the shields back at the Palace of the Prophets?” Richard

askedher.“RememberhowIwasabletopassthroughthem?”Annnodded.“Istillhavenightmaresaboutit.”Richard reached out again, quickly this time, and again blocked the line of

light.Againitextinguished.Richardthenputafingerfromhisotherhandatanintersectionprecedingthe

darkened line. In a blink, more lines went dark. Hemoved his first linger toinsertitatanotherkeypoint,workinghiswaybackthroughthepütcrn,causingthespelltoturninonitself.

The darkened line raced around Nicci, hitting intersections, making turns,sweepingthroughanddarkeningarcs.ThelineRichardhadextinguishedceasedtoexist in thepattern, its absencecausingan interruption in thevitalityof therhythm.Niccimarveledatthereactionofthespell-formwithinher.Shecouldsensein

detailtheprocessofitdismantling,likeaflowerclosingitspetals.The room again seemed to shimmer inNicci’s gifted vision, as if lightning

wereflaring,butsheknewthatthiswasnotlightning.Theglowingeyespeeredabout,asifit,too,sensedthefluctuationintheflux

ofpowerRichardhadinterrupted.Didn’t anyonebutNicci realize thatRichardwasusinghis gift to penetrate

such shields?Were they blind? The use of his gift drew the beast out of theunderworld.Outside, real lightning flashedand thunderboomed.The roomflickerednot

onlywith the lightningbutwith thedisruptionofpowerwithin thespell-form.Thewallofwindowsflashedbetweenblindingbrightnessandinkyobscurity.ItfelttoNicciasifbothofthosepowerfuldischargesthunderedrightthrough

her. She could not understand how she was still alive. It could only be thatRichardwasshuttingdownthespellwithoutdestroyingit.Hewasmethodicallyextinguishingit,likesnuffingouttheflamesonarowofwicks.Focusedinconcentration,Richardputhisotherhanddownlowerandblocked

anotherline.Thelinewentdark,racingbackthroughthecomplexmatrix.Theshadowofthebeastbegantostepoutoftheunderworld,partiallyintothe

worldoflife,pullingandflexingitsarmswiththedifficultyofthetask,testingitsnewbornmuscle.Fangsglistenedinthelamplightasthejawsstretchedwide.TheirattentionrivetedonthelinesaroundNicci,noonenoticed.Holdingablockinonenetworkoflines,Richardcarefullyinsertedafingerto

occludeaprecedingframework.Theentireweb,having lostnot just itsmost important supporting structure,

but its very integrity, began to come apart. Angles opened. Intersectionsdisjointed, letting connecting lines sag away. Other lines collided, sparkingflashesofwhitelightuponcontactthatmadeyetmorelinesgodark.All of a sudden, the web of remaining lines collapsed downward, like a

curtain falling. Nicci could feel the network of power laced all through herslough away.As the falling lines of light hit theGrace theywent dark. In aninstant,theyweregone.Free from the tangle, Nicci abruptly dropped to the table as she gasped a

breath,likeascreamdrawninward.Herlegshadnostrengthtoholdherandshe

crumpled,topplingovertheedgeofthetable.Richardcaughther inhisarmsasshefell.Herdeadweight tookhimtoone

knee. He maintained his balance, cradling her in his arms, saving her fromhittingthestonefloor.Outside,lightningwentwild,castingtheroominfitsofflickeringlight.It was then that the beast, a soulless creature created for a single purpose,

materializedfullyoutoftheworldofthedeadandintotheworldoflife.AndsprangstraightforRichard.

Chapter7Hanging limp and helpless in Richard’s arms, despite howmuch she tried,

Nicci simply could not bring forth enough strength to warn him of the beastabouttocrashdownonhim.Shewouldhavegivenherlastbreathtodeliverthatwarningbut,rightthen,shehadnobreath.ItwasCara, throwingallherweightat thechargingcreature,whodeflected

thefullforceof theattackandsavedRichardfromakillingstrike.Thebeast’sfangscaughtonlyairasitcrashedpastRichard,butitsclawsrippedthroughtheflesh at the backof his shoulder.Knockedoff balance fromCara’s tackle, thebeast stumbled past Richard and smashed headlong into one of the heavyshelves.Bones,books,andboxestumbleddown.Thethingscrambledtoitsfeet,snarling,fangsbared,musclestaut.Stretching

for amoment to its full height, itwas a good foot taller thanRichard and itsshoulders were nearly twice as wide. Bony projections marked its hunchedspine.Dark, leathery flesh, like that of a desiccated corpse, covered powerfulmuscles.Itwasacreaturethatwasn’treallyalive,andyetitmovedandreactedasifit

were. Nicci knew that it had no soul, and for that reason it was all themoredangerous. It had been conjured in part from the lives andHan—the gift—oflivingmen.Itactedwiththesingle-mindedpurposethathadbeeninstilledinitbyitscreators:Jagang’sSistersoftheDark.AsitimmediatelyrecoveredandagainwentforRichard,Caralashedoutwith

herAgiel.Thebeastdidn’tappeartobeharmedintheleastbytheweapon,butitabruptly halted and twisted toward the Mord-Sith with shocking speed andstrength, backhanding her hard enough to send her flying. She crashed into abookcase, toppling it back. Cara didn’t rise from the jumble of books andsplinteredwood.Aslightningflashedoutsidethetallwindows,Zeddusedtheopeningtothrust

outahand,unleashingashimmeringboltofpowerthatlit theroom.Shardsofwhite-hotlightexplodedagainstthedarkhideofthebeast’schest,leavinglinesof soot radiatingoutwardasevidenceof thecontact thatdidn’tappear tohavecausedanyrealharm.Nicci,afterRichardhad laidheron the floor,was just starting tobeable to

pulldesperatelyneededairintoherlungs.Sheputanelbowouttopropherselfupasshegaspedforbreath.ShesawbloodrunningfromRichard’sshoulderanddownhisarm.Asherosetomeethisattackerhereachedforhissword,buthisswordwasnolongerthere,athiship.Slowedforonlyaninstant,heinsteaddrewaknifefromasheathathisbelt.

Ashemetthethreatracingtowardhimheslashedwiththeblade,makingsolidcontact thatsentthecreaturereeling.Staggeredbytheblowandknockedfromitsfeet,ittumbledacrossthestonefloor,stoppingonlywhenitcollidedwithoneofthemassiveshelves.Araggedflapofleatheryfleshhunglikeaflagfromtheinjured shoulder. Without slowing, without pause, the beast sprang into asomersaultandlandedonitsfeet,readytorenewitsattack.AnnandNathanboth threw fierybolts at it.Rather than incinerating it, the

conjuredflamessplashedoffthebeast.Unharmed,itroaredwithfury.Flashesoflightning glinted off the razor-sharp blade poisedmotionless inRichard’s fist.Thecreatureseemedallfangsandclawsasitagainlungedforhim.Richard stepped aside, gracefully turningwith the beast’s onrushing charge,

andwithabackhandedswingslammedhisknifehilt-deepintothecenterofitschest.Itwasaperfectlyexecutedstrike.Unfortunately,itseemedtohavehadnomoreeffectthananythingelsethathadbeentried.The creature wheeled with impossible speed and seized Richard’s wrist.

Beforeitcouldcatchhimupinitspowerfularms,Richardtwistedunderthegripandcameupbehindhisattacker.Hegrittedhis teethwith themightyeffortoftwisting the creature’s powerful arm up behind its knobby back. Nicci heardjoints pop and bone snap.Rather than the injury slowing the beast, itwhirledaround,swingingthebrokenarmlikeaflail.Richardduckedandrolledawayasdeadlyclawsscythedpast.Zedd used the opening to ignite a sphere of seething liquid fire. Even the

lightning seemed to pause in the presence of such profound power brought tolife.Theroomvibratedwiththehowlofthedeadly,concentratedinfernoZeddunleashed. The knot of churning flames shrieked through the dark room,illuminating the tables and chairs, the shelves and columns, and the faces ofeveryonewatchingasitsweptpast.The beast glanced back over its shoulder at the tumbling, hissing yellow

conflagration wailing across the room and defiantly bared its fangs at theapproachingfire.ItstruckNicciasanoddthingforthecreaturetodo,almostasifitdidn’tfear

fire conjured by a wizard. Nicci had trouble imagining anything that couldwithstandsuchanonslaught—ornotfearit.Thiswasnomerefire,afterall,butamenacethatburnedwithphenomenalferocity.An instant before thewrithing sphereofwizard’s fire reached its target, the

creaturesimplywinkedoutofexistence.Absent an objective, the fire splashed down on the stone floor, exploding

across thecarpetsandbreakingover tables likea roguewavecrashingashore.

Althoughconjuredforaspecificenemy,Nicciknewthatrunawaywizard’sfirecouldeasilyannihilatethemall.Before it could destroy the room or anyone in it, Zedd, Nathan, and Ann

immediatelycastyetmorewebs—Zedddoinghisbesttorecallhispowerwhiletheothertwosuppressedandsmotheredtheflamesbeforetheyhadachancetogetoutofcontrol.Cloudsofsteambillowedupastheyallworkedtocontainanyerrantdropletsofthetenaciousfire.Itwasatensemomentbeforetheyknewthattheyhadsucceeded.Beyondthefogofvapor,Niccisawthebeastmaterializeoutofthedarkness.It appearedbehindZedd,back in the shadowswhere she’d first seen it step

intotheworldoflife.Nicciwastheonlyonewhorealizedthatithadreturnedinadifferentplace.Shehadneverbeforeseen thecreatureslip inandoutof theworldofthedeadatwill,butsheknewthatwasthemethodbywhichitwasabletotrackandfollowRichardacrossvastdistances.Sheknew,too,thatnomattertheformittook,itwouldneverrestuntilithadhim.Richardspottedthebeastcomingforhimbeforeanyoftheothersandcalled

out awarning toZedd, standing directly in the path of thewild charge. Zeddblockedthatchargebymassingtheairitselfintoadenselycompressed,angledshield.The trickdeflected thebeast’s courseby just enough.Richardused thediversiontoslashathisattacker.Beforehisknifecouldmakecontact,thebeastagainwinkedoutofexistence,onlytoreturnaninstantlateroncepastRichard’sblade.Italmostseemedtobetoyingwiththem,butNicciknewthatthatwasn’tthe

case. It was merely employing varying tactics in its soulless quest to haveRichard.Evenitsseeminglyangryroarsweremerelya tacticmeant toweakenitsvictimwithfear,therebygivingitachancetostrike.Instillingthecapacityforemotion in it would have produced limitations; therefore Jagang’s Sisters hadleftsuchqualitiesout.Thebeastwasincapableofactuallyfeelinganger.Itwassimplyunremittinginitspurpose.Ann andNathan released a torrent of power concentrated into thousands of

small,rock-hard,deadlypointsthatcouldhaveshreddedthehiderightoffanox,butbeforethehurtlingfragmentscouldripintothecreature,itagaineffortlesslyevaded the attacks by stepping into a shadow and coming out once again inanotherplace.Niccirealizedthatnoneofthemhadtheabilitytostopthething.Strugglingtorecoverherstrength,shescrambledacrossthefloortocheckon

Cara.Stilllyingagainstawall,Carawasdazedandhavingdifficultyregainingher senses.Niccipressedher fingers to theMord-Sith’s temples, trickling in a

threadofmagictowakeherandreviveherstrength.Sheseizedthewomanbyherleatheroutfitwhenshesuddenlytriedtoscrambletoherfeet.“Listentome,”Niccisaid.“IfyouwanttosaveRichard,youhavetolistento

me.Youcan’tstopthatthing.”Not one to take instruction well, especially when it came to protecting

Richard,Carasawtheimmediatethreatandsprangintoaction.Asthebeastspunaround,focusedonRichard,Carathrewherselfatit,downlow,rollingunderit,knockingitfromitsfeet.Beforeitcouldrecover,sheleapedonthebeast’sback,asifmountingawildstallion,andjammedherAgielintothebaseofitsskull.Itwas amove thatwouldhavekilled anyman.When thebeast rearedupon itsknees,shehookedtheweaponacrossthefrontofitsthroat.Withitsgoodarm,thecreaturesnatchedCara’sAgielandeffortlesslyrippedit

fromhergrip.Caravaultedfortheweaponandsnatcheditback,butitcostherablowthatagainsenthertumblingacrossthefloor.Aseveryoneclamberedbackfromthecreature,tryingtostayoutofthereach

of its deadly claws, it threw its head back and roared. The sound was sodeafening that everyonewinced. Flashes of lightning lit beyond thewindows,throwingblindinglybrightlightandajumbleofconfusingshadowsthroughthenearlydarkroom,makingitdifficulttosee.Zedd,Nathan,andAnnconjuredshieldsofairandusedthemtotrytoforce

thethreatback,butthebeastwasabletocrashthroughtheshieldsandchargefortheircreators,forcingthemtododgeoutofharm’sway.Nicci knew that the three of them could not stop such a menace with the

powertheyhad.Shedidn’tseehowRichardcould,either.As the others continued to fightwith every bit of ability and cunning they

couldmuster,NicciagainseizedafistfulofCara’sleatheroutfitathershoulderandhauledherclose.“Areyoureadytodoitmyway?OrdoyouwantRichardtodie?”Cara, panting from the exertion, looked ready to spit fire, but she heeded

Nicci’swords.“Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”“Bereadytohelpme.BereadytodoexactlyasIask.”Afterreceivinganodofagreement,Nicciscrambledbackupontothetable.

SheplacedonefootinthecenteroftheGracedrawninherownblood,andtheotheroutbeyondtheoutercircle.Zedd,Nathan,andAnnthreweverythingtheycouldconjureattherampaging

beast:websofarcingpower thatcouldhavecut stone, intensely focused forcethatcouldhavebentiron,ahailofairconcentratedintonoduleshardenoughtopulverizebone.Noneofithadanyeffectonthecreature.Insomecasesitwasn’t

affectedbytheirpower,whileatothertimesitswipedat theassaults,brushingthem aside, or avoided them altogether by winking out of existence only toreappearoncethethreathadpassed.ItagainturneditsattentiontoitspurposeandlungedforRichard.Hedodged

tothesideandoncemoreusedhisknifetoripthroughthecreature’stoughhide,tryingtoseveranarm.That,too,Nicciknew,woulddonogood.Astheothersshoutedinstructions,tryingtofindawaytodestroythethreat,

Cara, torn between helping Richard and following instructions, turned andpeeredupatNicci.“Whatareyoudoing?”Nicci, not having the time to answer questions, pointed. “Can you lift that

candelabra?”Caraglancedbackoverhershoulder.Itwasmadeofheavywroughtironand

heldtwodozencandles,noneofthemlit.“Probably.”“Useitlikealance.Drivethebeastbacktowardthewindows—”“Whatgoodisthatgoingtodo?”ThebeastlungedatRichard,tryingtogetitsarmsaroundhim.Richard twisted awayand in theprocess landed apowerful kick to its head

thatdidnomorethanmomentarilystaggerit.“JustdoasIsay.Useitlikealancetodrivethecreatureback.Andmakesure

thattheothersstandbackandstayclear.”“YouthinkthatifIcanclubitwiththecandelabrathatwillstopit?”“No. It learns. Thiswill be something new. Just drive it back. It should be

momentarilyconfused,oratleastcautious.Assoonasyouforceitback,throwthecandelabraatitandthengetyourselfclear.”Cara,herlipspressedtightlytogetherinfrustratedfury,consideredforonlyan

instant. She was a woman who knew that hesitation could bring harm. Shegrabbedtheheavymainpostofthecandlestandinbothhandsandwithamightyeffortliftedit.Thecandlesfellfromtheircups,bouncingandrollingacrossthestone floor. Itwas clear toNicci how heavy the iron standwas. She thought,though,thatCarahadenoughmuscletohandleit.Therewasnodoubtthatshehadthemettle.ButNicci could no longerworry about Cara. She put thewoman from her

mindandstraightenedbotharms,extendingherhandsdowntowardthebloodydepictionoftheGracebeneathher.Shedisregardedherdoubts,herfears,and,asshehaddonecountless timesbefore,drewhermindback into thecoreofHanwithin herself.This time, above theGrace, it felt like falling back into an icypoolofpower.

Ignoringthefateshewascondemningherselfto,sheturnedherpalmsupwardandliftedherhands,usingthaticypoolofpowerwithinherselftobegintobringtheverificationwebbacktoitsinductionpoint.FromwithinthedominionoftheGrace, Nicci concentrated on a mental image of removing the countervailingblocks within the spell-form that kept it contained and inert. With deliberateintent, once she had exposed the inner field that only she could see, she usedbothsidesofherpowertoconnectopposingjunctions.In an instant the green lines again started twisting their way up, like some

ravenousvinemadeoflight.Inaheartbeat,thenetworkoflineswasashighasherthighs.Cara thrustedandstabbedat thebeast.Several timesshemadesolidcontact

withherunwieldyironweapon,knockingthecreaturebackastep.Eachtimeittook a step back, she immediately jabbed again, forcing it back another step,then another. Nicci had been right—the creature reacted cautiously to theunexpectednatureoftheattack.ShehopedthatCaracouldgetthebeastbacknotonlyfarenoughbutintime.Boltsof lightningarced throughthenightsky, illuminating thewallof thick

glasswindows.Comparedwith the forces of the storm, the oil lampswere soweakastobenearlyuseless.Theflashesbackandforthbetweenblindinglightanddarknessmadeitdifficulttosee.Astheglowing,greenishlinesthatwerethemerereflectionoftheinneraspect

ofaspellthathadbeencreatedthousandsofyearsbeforebymenlongagolostto history wove their way up around her, that inner spell-form once againignited,lancingthroughherfarfasterthanithadthefirsttime.Niccihadn’tbeenentirelyready.Shewentblindbeforesheexpectedto.Shestruggledtobreathewhileshestillcould,whileshestillhadaremnantofcontrol.Her gifted vision began to flicker back and forth between both worlds,

betweenthelightoflifeandeternalblackness.Thedarkvoidbeyondcameandwent in flashes,much like the lightningoutside thewindow,butwithblindingdarkness rather thanblinding light.Straddlingbothworlds,Nicci felt as ifhersoulwouldberippedapart.Sheignoredthepainandfocusedonthetaskathand.Sheknewthatshecouldnotdestroysuchabeastwithherpoweralone.Sisters

of theDark had, after all, created it with the help of ancient powers that shecould not begin to fathom. The conjured creature was the match of anythingNicciknewhowtocallforth.Itwouldtakesomethingmorethanmeresorcery.Back near thewindows, the beast finally dug in and halted its brief retreat.

Carajabbedatit,butthesnarlingbeastwouldretreatnomore.Carawashaving

difficultyhandlingtheheavyironcandlestand.WhenRichardstartedtocometoheraid,sheyelledateveryonetogetback.Whenhedidn’tobey,sheswungthecandle stand around, making him jump back and letting him know that shemeantbusiness.Puttingallherstrengthintotheeffort,Niccibroughtherpalmsup,preparing

todotheimpossible.Shehadtofindthecuspbetweennothingandtheignitionofpower.Sheneedednotpower,butitsprecursor.Thegreen linesadvanced fartheruparoundher in theirdeterminedworkof

encasing her in the totality of the spell. Nicci tried to draw a breath, but hermuscleswouldnotrespond.Sheneededthebreath—justonebreath.Whentheworldoflifeflashedbackintohergiftedvision,shepulledwithall

hermightandatlastdrewthatbreath.“Now,Cara!”Withouthesitation,Caraheavedtheheavycandelabra.Thebeasteasilycaught

the massive iron candle stand in one clawed hand, lifting it high. Behind it,throughthewindows,lightningcrackedandboomed.Niccipaused,waitingforalullintheflashes.Whenitcame,whentheroomplungedbackintodarkness,shecastout—not

power,butitsantecedent.Thatcastingbathedthebeastintheagonizinglyalmost:theinductiveignition

ofpower…absenttheconsequence.Shecouldseethatthecreaturefeltthestrangesensationofthepromiseofthe

profound…notquiteconjured,notyetdelivered.Itblinkedinconfusion,unsureifitreallyfeltsomething,wantingtoact,yetnotknowingwhatitwasthatitfeltorwhattoactagainst.WithoutthesuccessfullaunchofanydirectattackofNicci’spower,thebeast

appearedtodecidethatshehadfailedandagaindefiantly liftedthecandelabrahighoveritshead,likeatrophywoninbattle.“Now,” Zedd called to Ann and Nathan as he rushed forward, “while it’s

distracted.”They were about to ruin everything. Nicci could do nothing to halt their

interference. Cara, never one to be gentle in her duty, did do something. Shedrovethethreeofthembacklikeasheepdogherdingstrays.Theyprotestedastheyretreated,demandingshegetoutoftheway.Nicci watched it all happening from a distant place on the cusp between

worlds. She could no longer help Cara. The woman would have to handle itherself.Somewherein thefarawayworldof life;Zeddfumedat theMord-Sith

and tried to launchanattack,butCaraused the threatof ramminghimwithashoulder todrivehimback, throwinghimnotonlyoffbalance,butdistractinghimfromhisintentions.In thatotherworld, thedarkworldbeyond life,whatNiccihaddeliberately

created was a void of effect, cause without consequence, a constructedexpectationofamaterialreleaseofherdarkerpower,whichshealsodeliberatelytailedtoprovide.Time itself seemed to stand still, waiting for what must be but would not

come.ThetensionintheairaroundNicciwaspalpable.Thegreenlinesaroundher

raced ever faster through the air in an effort to completely reestablish theverificationweb,tohaveherlifeheldsuspended.Theflaw,likeaspiderinitsweb,waitedforher.Sheknewshehadonlyafleetingmomentbeforeshewouldbeunabletodo

anything.Thistime,herendwouldatleastgainsomethingofvalue.Nicci fed the field around the beast yet more of the open gateway to a

profoundreleaseofpowerwhichshepurposelywithheld.The stress betweenwhat existed andwhat did not yet exist, andwould not

happen,wasinsufferable.Inan instant, that terrible, intolerablevoid, thatvacuumofpower thatNicci

had created in bothworlds,was filledwith the deafening release of a bolt oflightning that came crashing in through the window, while its twin, from theworld beyond the world of life, ripped through the veil, drawn to the needunfulfilledaroundthebeast—compelledtocompletewhatNiccihadbegunbutwouldnotfinish.Thistime,therewasnosafetyinescapetoanotherworld;bothworldshadtogetherunleashedtheirfury.Shattered glass rained through the room. The thunderous boom shook the

stonewallsoftheKeep.Itseemedasifthesunitselfwereexplodinginthroughthewindow.ThelinesracingaroundNiccicameuplikeashroud.Through her gifted vision she saw the completion of the link she had

established, saw the lightning find the void around the beast and fulfill theterribleemptyobligationshehadcreated.Theexplosionof that lightningwasbeyondanything that shehadever seen

before.Creatingtheprecursorinbothworldslentthelightningthepowerofbothworlds, Additive and Subtractive, creative and destructive, intertwined in asinglecalamitousdischarge.

Nicci was frozen by the spell, and could not close her eyes against theblinding flash of light and dark that tangled together, striking both ends ofcandelabraandblastingdownthroughthebeast.Intheviolentcoronaofcracklingwhitelight,thebeastcameapart,drivento

dustandvaporbytheintensityoftheheatandpowerfocusedinthevoidNiccihadcreated.Galesofrainandwindroaredin throughtheshatteredwindow.Outside,yet

morelightningflickeredthroughtheroilinggreenishclouds.Whenthelightningoutsidelittheroom,theycouldallseethatthebeastwasgone.Fornow,anyway,itwasgone.Through the net of green lines, Nicci saw Richard racing across the room

towardher.Thatroomseemedsodistant.Shesawthedarkworldcloseinaroundher.

Chapter8Whenher horsewhinnied and stamped its hooves,Kahlan slippedher hand

fartherup the reins,closer to thebit, tohold thenervousanimal inplace.Thehorsedidn’tlikewhatitsmelledanymorethanKahlandid.Shereachedupandgently stroked the underside of the horse’s chin as she waited behind SistersUliciaandCecilia.Lightgustsruffledthecottonwoodleavesoverhead,makingtheglossyleaves

shimmerinthemiddaylight.Intheshadeofthosehugecotton-woods,dappledsunlight danced over the grassy hilltop, while overhead a few cottony whitecloudsdottedtheblindinglybrightbluesky.Whenthebreezeshiftedaroundandcame in from their backs, it brought relief not only from the sweltering heat.Kahlanallowedherselfadeeperbreath.Sheusedafingertowipesweatandgrimefromunderthemetalcollarlocked

aroundherneck.Shewishedshecouldhaveabath,oratleastjumpinastreamora lake.Thesummerheatanddusty travelinghadconspired to turnher longhair intoan itchy, tangledmess.Sheknew, though, that theSistersdidn’t carehowuncomfortableshewasandthattheywouldn’tbepleasedifsheweretoaskifshecouldhaveachancetowashup,thewaytheyoftendid.TheSistersdidn’tcare in the least about Kahlan’s wants, much less her comfort. She was theirslave,nomore;itmatterednotifthecollarsheworearoundherneckchafedandrubbedherskinraw.As Kahlan waited, her mind wandered to the statue she had given up, the

statue she’d had to leave in Lord Richard Rahl’s palace. While she had nomemoryof her past, shehadmemorized every lineof that figureof awomanwithflowinghairandrobes.Therewassomethingquietlynobleaboutherspirit,about theway the figurestoodwithherbackarched,herhands fisted,andherheadthrownbackasifindefianceofinvisibleforcesthatwouldsubdueher.Kahlanknewall toowellwhat it felt like to have invisible forces subduing

her.FromthequiethilltoptheywatchedasSisterArminamadeherwayacrossthe

openlandscapebelow.Therewasnooneelseinsight.Thelonggrasseslookedalmost liquid as they waved and bowed in the breeze. Sister Armina finallytrottedherbaymareupthehill.Shecircledherhorsearoundandcametoahaltbesidetherestofthem.“They’renotthere,”sheannounced.“Howfaraheadarethey?”SisterUliciaasked.Sister Armina lifted an arm to point. “I didn’t gomuch beyond those hills

there.Ididn’twanttotakeachanceonbeingspottedbyanyofJagang’sgifted.

AsnearasIcantell,though,thestragglersandcampfollowershaveonlymovedonadayortwoago.”Whenthebreezeattheirbacksslackened,itallowedthesmelltodriftupthe

hillagain.Kahlanwrinkledhernose.SisterUlicianoticedbutdidn’tcomment.TheSistersdidn’tseemtobeatallbotheredbythestench.SisterUliciaabruptlyturnedandstuffedabootinastirrup.“Let’sgohavea

lookoverthehillsbeyond,”shesaidassheswungupintohersaddle.Kahlanmountedupandfollowedaftertheotherthreewomenastheytrotted

theirhorsesdownthehill.ShethoughtitoddhowtheSistersseemedunusuallyjumpy.They tended to be arrogantly bold inwhatever they did, but now theywerebeingcautious.Tothelefttoweredtherugged,blue-grayshapesofloftymountains.Therock

slopesandcliffsweresoimposingthattherewerefewplaceswheretreescouldgainafoothold.Someofthepeaksweresohighthattheyhadsnowatopthemdespite itbeingsummer.Kahlanand theSistershad followed thosemountainssouthsincefindingaplacetocrossoverthemafterleavingthePeople’sPalace.Inthosetravels,theSistershadavoidedgoingnearpeoplewhenevertheycould.Kahlangaveherhorse’s reins a littlemore slack.Thehills they rodeacross

were ruttedwith gullies thatmade it difficult traveling at times.Kahlan knewthat therewouldprobablyberoadsdownoutof thehills,but theSistersdidn’tgenerally like to travelonroadsandkeptoff themwheneverpossible.As theymoved through the tall grass among the scattered trees, they stayed in theconcealingshelterofthefoldsoflandbetweenhills.BeforeKahlan could see any ofwhat lay ahead, the unmistakable, gagging

stenchofdeathgrewsoterriblethatshecouldhardlybreathe.Crestingahill,shefinallysawthecityspreadoutbelow.Theyallpaused,gazingdownattheemptyroads,theburnedbuildings,andthecarcassesofwhatlookedtobehorses.“Let’s be quick,” SisterUlicia said. “We’ll take themain road on the other

sideforawaysandgetcloseenoughtobesureofwheretheyareandexactlythedirectionthey’reheaded.”Theyspurredtheirhorsesintocantersastheyrodeinsilencedownoutofthe

hills and into the fringes of the city. The place looked to have been built uparoundameanderingbendinariverandthecrossingsofseveralroadsthatwereprobablytraderoutes.Thelargeroftwotimberbridgeshadbeenburned.Astheycrossedanarrowsecondbridgeinsinglefile,Kahlanglanceddownatthewater.Bloated bodies floating facedown had collected in the reeds. Even before shehadseenthem,thestenchofdeathhadbeensoheavyintheairthatshehadlostherinterestingoingforaswim.Shejustwantedtobeawayfromtheplace.

Astheyrode inamongthebuildings,Kahlanheldascarfoverhernoseandmouth.Itdidn’thelpmuch.Shethoughtshemightvomitfromthefetidsmellofrottingflesh.Itseemedpeculiarthatitwassostrong.Shesoondiscoveredwhy.Theyrodepastsidestreetswherecorpseswerepiledinthehundreds.Afew

dogsandmuleslaydeadamongthem,thelegsofthemulesstandingoutstraightand stiff. From theway the bodieswere jammed into the narrow side streets,Kahlanthoughtthatthepeoplemusthavebeenherdedintoconfinedspacesfromwhichescapewasimpossibleandthenslaughtered.Mostofthedead,animalandhuman,were ripped openwith ghastlywounds. Someof the dead had brokenlancesjuttingfromthem,whileothershadbeenkilledbyarrows.Most,though,appeared to have been hacked to death.Kahlan noticed one other thing aboutthem:theywereallolderpeople.Manyofthebuildingsinonesectionofthecitywereburneddown.Onlyina

few places didwisps of smoke still curl up from some of the thicker piles ofrubble. The charred wooden beams looked like the scorched skeletons ofmonsters.Itappearedtobeadayor twosincethefireshadburnedthemselvesout.Stepping their horses along the narrow cobbled street between two-story

buildings looming up to either side of the road, they peered about in silentappraisal of the destruction. The buildings still standing had all been looted.Doors were broken in, or lay in the street nearby. Kahlan didn’t see a singlewindow that hadn’t been broken. Curtains lay draped over a few of the tinybalconiesoverlookingthestreet.Afewofthosebalconiesheldabody.Besidesthe fragmentsofwood fromdoorframesand thebrokenglass, the streetswerelitteredwithtrivial items:randomarticlesofclothing;abloodyboot;piecesofbrokenfurniture;brokenweapons;brokenpiecesofwagons.Kahlansawadollwithyellowyarnforhairlyingfacedown,itsbackflattenedbyahoofprint.Alloftheitemshadthelookofhavingbeenpickedoverbyanumberofhandsand,afterbeingjudgedtobeworthless,discarded.Daring to look into the dark buildings they passed, Kahlan saw the real

horrors.Theywerenotmerelythebodiesofmurderedtownspeople.Therewerethebodiesofpeoplewho looked tohavebeenmurdered for sport, oroutof asheerbrutality.Unlike thebodiesheaped in the side streets, thesepeoplewerenotolder.Theylookedliketheymighthavebeenpeopletryingtoprotect theirshopsorhomes.Throughonebrokenshopwindowshesawthataman,wearingthekindofapronusedbycobblers,hadbeennailedtoawallbyhiswrists.Fromthe center of his chest protruded dozens of arrows, making him look like a

grotesquepincushion.Hismouthandeacheyehadbeenpenetratedbyanarrow.The man had not only been used for target practice, but as an object ofmonstroushumor.Inotherdarkbuildings,Kahlansawwomenwhohadall tooobviouslybeen

raped.Ashirtsleevestillononearmwasallthatcoveredonewomanonafloor.Herbreastshadbeenmutilated.Inanotherplace,agirl,lookingnottoyethavegrown intowomanhood, laysprawledona table,herdresspusheduppastherwaist.Herthroathadbeencutthroughtoherspine.Herlegslaysplayedout,abroomstickleftshovedinherasafinalactofdisdain.Kahlanfeltnumbasshesawonehorrifyingsightafteranother,eachofsuchluridcrueltythatshecouldnotimaginethekindofmenwhocouldhavecommittedsuchacts.Bythemannerofdressofmanyofthedead,themenappearedtobesimple

workingpeople.Theywerenotsoldiers.Forthecrimeoftryingtoprotecttheirhomesandbusinessestheyhadbeenbutchered.AsKahlanpassedonesmallbuildingshesaw,inabackcorneragainstabrick

wall, a pile of small children—mostly babies. It was reminiscent of the wayautumnleavescollectedinacorner,excepttheseallhadoncebeenlivingpeoplewithalifeaheadofthem.Thegoreonthebrickwallbetrayedwheretheirheadshadbeenbashedin.Itwasapparentthatthekillershadwantedtodispatchthemasefficientlyaspossible.Onthesilentridethroughthecity,Kahlansawseveralmoreplaceswheretheveryyounghadbeencastintopilesafterbeingmurderedin a fashion that could only be described as entertainment for the mostmonstrousofmen.Although therewere not verymanywomen among the dead,Kahlan didn’t

seeonewhowasfullyclothed.Theonesshedidseewereeitherolderorprettyyoung.Theirtreatmenthadbeenbestialbeyondimaginingandtheirdeathsslow.Kahlanswallowedbackthelumpinherthroatasshewipedhereyes.Shewantedtoscream.ThethreeSistersdidn’tseemtobeparticularlymoved

bythecarnageinthecity.Theywatcheddownthesidestreetsandgazedatthesurroundinghills,apparentlyconcernedaboutanysignofathreat.Kahlanhadneverbeensohappytoleaveaplaceasshewaswhentheyfinally

madetheirwayoutofthecityandtookaroadleadingsoutheast.Theroadturnedoutnottobetheescapefromtheoutragesofthecitythatshe

thoughtitwouldbe.Alongthewaytheditcheswerehereandtherefilledwiththebodiesofunarmedyoungmenandolderboys,probablyexecutedfortryingtoescape,resistingtheideaofslavery,aslessonstotheothers,orsimplyforthesportofmurder.Kahlanfeltdizzyandhot.Shefearedshemightbesick.Thewaysheswayed

inhersaddleonlymadehernauseaworse.Thestenchofdeathandcharredfleshfollowedtheminthebrightsunshineastheyrodeamongthehillsonthefarsideof the city. The smell was so pervasive that it felt as if it had saturated herclothesandwasevencomingoutinhersweat.Shedoubtedthatshewouldeveragainsleepwithoutnightmares.Kahlandidn’tknowwhatthenameofthecityhadbeen,butitwasnomore.

Therehadn’tbeena singleperson left alive.Anythingof anyvaluehadeitherbeendestroyedorlooted.Fromthenumberofcorpses,asvastastheyhadbeen,sheknewthatmanyofthecity’sinhabitants,mostlythewomen,theonesoftherightage,anyway,hadbeentakenasslaves.Afterseeingwhathadhappenedtothe women left dead in the city, Kahlan could vividly imagine what wouldhappentothewomentakenaway.ThebroadeningplaneandthehillstoeithersideforasfarasKahlancouldsee

hadbeentrampledbywhathadtobewellbeyondmerehundredsofthousandsofmen.Thegrasseshadnotsimplybeenflattenedbycountlessboots,hooves,andwagon wheels, but had been ground to dust under the weight of unthinkablenumbers. The sight put into perspective themagnitude of themasses that hadpassed through the city, and in a way was more horrifying than the ghastlyscenesofdeath.A forceofmen thishugeborderedona forceofnature itself,likesometerriblestormthatcutaswathacrossthefaceoftheland,mercilesslydestroyingeverythinginitspath.Later in theday, as theyapproached thecrestof ahill, theSisters carefully

maneuvered into a position that put the sun low at their backs so that anyoneaheadwould have to stare into the sun to see them. SisterUlicia slowed andstoodinherstirrups,stretchingforacarefullook,thensignaledtherestofthemtodismount.Theyalltiedtheirhorsestothecarcassofascragglyoldpinesplitintwobylightning.SisterUliciatoldKahlantostayclosebehindthem.At the edge of the hill, as they crouched silently in the weedy grass, they

finallycaughttheirfirstglimpseofwhathadcomethroughthefallencity.Inthedimdistance,spreadacrossthehazyhorizon,waswhatatfirstappearedtobeamuddy,brownsea,butwasactuallythedarktaintofanarmyofsuchnumbersthat it was beyond counting. Carried on the wind, in the quiet, late-day air,Kahlancouldjustmakeoutthedistant,bloodcurdlingsoundsofhowls,women’sscreams,andmen’sraucouslaughtercomingfromthemassivemob.Thesheerweightofsuchmultitudeswouldhavecrushedthedefensesofany

city.Anyarmedoppositionwouldhardlyhavebeennoticedbyanarmyasvastasthisone.Mengatheredinsuchnumberscouldnotbehaltedbyanything.Butasmuchasthisarmyseemedtobeamass,amob,athing,sheknewthat

itwaswrongtothinkofitinthoseterms;thiswasagroupofindividuals.Thesemenhadnotbeenbornmonsters.Eachhadoncebeenahelplessbabecradledina mother’s arms. Each had once been a child with fears, hopes, and dreams.Whileanoccasionalaberrantindividualcould,becauseofasickmind,growuptobea remorselesskiller, thismany individualshadnot.Eachwasakillerbyconviction toacause,akillerbychoice,allunitedunderabannerofperversebeliefsthatgavesanctiontotheirsavagery.Thesewereallindividualswhowhenconfrontedwiththechoicehadwillfully

castawaytheinherentnobilityoflife,andchoseinsteadtobeservantsofdeath.Kahlan had been horrified at the butchery she’d seen back in the city,

nauseated by the things she had seen. For a time she’d hardly been able tobreathe,not just from the stenchofdeath,but fromher tearfuldespairat suchmindless brutality, at such monumental and intentional depravity. She felt asense of sickening dread for those helpless souls yet to face the horde and acrushinglossofanyhopethatlifecouldeverbeworthliving,thatitcouldeverbereasonedandsecure,muchlessjoyous.Butnow,atthesightofthesourceoftheslaughter,thegreatforceofmenwho

had allwillingly perpetrated such atrocities, all those desolate feelingsmeltedaway.Intheirplacesmolderingangerignited,thekindofinnerrageshedidn’tthinkapersonveryoftenfeltintheirlife.Rememberingtheoldpeoplewhohadbeen hacked apart, the infants dispatched by bashing in their brains, and thesavagetreatmentofthewomen,Kahlancouldthinkoflittleelsebutherburningdesireforvengeanceforthesilentdead.That sense of rage seethed through her, a rage so terrible that it seemed to

foreverchangesomethingwithinher.Inthatmoment,shefeltaprofoundaffinitywith the small statue she’dhad to leave inRichardRahl’speacefulgarden,anunderstandingofitsspiritthatshehadn’thadbefore.“It’sJagang,allright,”SisterCeciliafinallysaidinabittervoice.SisterArminanodded.“Andwehavetogetpasthimifwe’retogettoCaska.”SisterUliciagesturedto thewallofmountains to the left.“Theirarmy,with

all their horses, wagons, and supplies, can’t cross the narrow passes betweenthosepeaks,butwecan.AsslowasJagangmoves,wecaneasilygetover thepasses and then to Caska long before they can travel south to get past themountainsandthenmoveupintoD’Hara.”SisterCecilia staredoff to thehorizon. “TheD’Haran armydoesn’t stand a

chanceagainstthat.”“That’snotourproblem,”SisterUliciasaid.“ButwhataboutourbondtoRichardRahl?”SisterArminaasked.

“We’renottheonesattackingRichardRahl,”SisterUliciasaid.“Jagangistheonegoingafterhim,seeking todestroyhim,notus.Weare theoneswhowillwieldthepowerofOrdenandthenwewillgrantRichardRahlwhatonlywewillhavethepowertogrant.Thatisenoughtopreserveourbondandprotectusfromthedreamwalker.Jagangandhisarmyarenotourproblemandwhattheyaimtodoisnotourresponsibility.”KahlanrememberedbeingatthePeople’sPalaceandwonderingwhattheman

waslike.Eventhoughshedidn’tknowhim,shefearedforhimandhispeoplehavingtofacewhatwascomingforthem.“Itwill be our problem if they get toCaska before us,” SisterCecilia said.

“BesidescatchingupwithTovi,Caskaistheonlyothercentralsitewecangetintofornow.”SisterUlicia dismissed thenotionwith a flickof her hand. “They’re a long

wayfromCaska.Wecaneasilycutthedistanceandoutpacethembygoingoverthemountainsratherthandown,around,andthenbackupastheywillhavetodo.”“Youdon’tthinktheymightquickentheirpace?”SisterArminaasked.“After

all, Jagang might be eager to finally finish off Lord Rahl and the D’Haranforces.”SisterUlicia huffed at the very idea. “Jagang knows theD’Haran armyhas

nowhereelsetogo—RichardRahlhasnochoicenowbuttostandandfight.Thematterisasgoodasdecided.It’sonlyamatteroftime.“The dreamwalker is in no hurry, nor could he be—notwith an army that

hugeandunwieldy.Andeveniftheycouldquickentheirpacetheyhavetotravelamuchgreaterdistancesothatstillwouldn’tgethimtoCaskabeforewecangetthere.Besides,Jagang’sarmyisthesamenowasithasbeensincetheyfirsttookovertheOldWorld,decadesago,andasithasbeenthroughoutthisentirewar.Theyneverhurry theirpace.Theyare like the seasons—theymovewithgreatforce,butveryslowly.”She cast a meaningful look at the other two Sisters. “Besides, they’ve just

stripped the city of women. Jagang’s men will be eager to enjoy their newspoils.”The blood drained fromSisterArmina’s face. “Don’twe know the truth of

that.”“Jagangandhismennever tireof theuseofcaptivewomen,”SisterCecilia

said,halftoherself.SisterArmina’scolorcamebackinaredrush.“I’d lovetostringJagangup

andhavemywaywithhim.”

“We’dallenjoyabitofdealingoutlessonstothosemen,”SisterUliciasaidasshestaredoffintothedistance,“butwehavebetterthingstodo.”Shesmirked.“Someday,though…”The three Sisterswere silent for a time as they gazed off at the vast horde

spreadacrossthehorizon.“Someday,”SisterCecilia said in a low, rancorousvoice, “wewillopen the

boxesofOrdenandwewillhavethepowertomakethatmantwistinthewind.”SisterUliciaturnedandheadedbacktowardthehorses.“Ifweareevergoing

toopenoneofthethreeboxes,thenwewillfirsthavetogettoToviandthelastbox—andtowhatelseisinCaska.ForgetaboutJagangandhisarmy.Thisisthelast we’ll have to see them—until the day conies when we’ve unleashed thepower of Orden and we can have a bit of fun dealing out our own, personalretributiontothedreamwalker.”

Chapter9Nicciopenedhereyes.Shesawonlyvagueshapes.“Zeddisangrywithyou.”Eventhoughitsoundedasifithadcomefromsomehazy,farawayplace,she

knewthatitwasRichard’svoice.Shewassurprisedtohearit.Shewassurprisedtohearanything.Shethoughtthatbyallrightssheshouldbedead.Ashervisionstartedcomingintofocus,Niccirolledherheadtotherightand

sawhimsittinghuddledcloseonachairthathadbeenpulledrightupbesidethebed.Leaningforward,elbowsonhisknees,hisfingersfoldedneatlytogether,hewaswatchingher.“Why?”sheasked.Lookingrelievedtoseeherawake,heleanedbackinthesimplewoodenchair

andsmiledthatcrookedsmileofhisthatshesolovedseeing.“Becauseyoubrokethewindowbackinthatroomwhereyouwerealldoing

theverificationweb.”Inthelightofalampglowingsoftlybeneathamilkywhiteshade,shesawthat

shewascovereduptoherarmpits ina luxuriouslyembroideredgoldbedcoverwith lustrous sagegreen fringe.Shehadona satinynightdress that shedidn’trecognize.Thesleeveswentallthewaydowntoherwrists.Itwaspalepink.Nothercolor.Shewonderedwhere the nightdress had come from and,more to the point,

whohadundressedherandputitonher.BackatthePalaceoftheProphets,solong ago,Richard had been the first person she’d evermetwhodidn’t expectthathehadarighttoherbodyorsomeotheraspectofherlife.Thatforthrightattitude had helped start the process of reasoning that eventually led to hercastingoffalifetimeofteachingsoftheOrder.ThroughRichard,shehadcometotrulyseethatherlifebelongedtoheralone.Alongwiththatcomprehension,shehadsincethendiscoveredthedignityandself-worthinpropriety.Right then, though, she had concerns other than finding herself in a pink

nightdress.Herthrobbingheadfeltimpossiblyheavyagainstthecozypillow.“Technically,”shesaid,“thelightningbrokethewindow.Notme.”“Somehow,”Carasaidfromanotherchairtippedbackagainstthewallbeside

thedoor,“Idon’tthinkthedistinctionwillmuchimpresshim.”“Isupposenot,”Niccisaidwithasigh.“Thatroomisinthehardenedsection

oftheKeep.”Richardtwitchedafrown.“It’swhere?”She squinted slightly in an effort to bring his face more into focus. “That

section of the Keep is a special place. It’s hardened against intentionalinterferenceaswellasaberrationalanderrantevents.”Carafoldedherarms.“Mindgivingusthetranslation?”Thewomanwas in her red leather.Nicciwondered if thatmeant therewas

moretroubleaboutorifshewasjustsurlyfromthebeastpayingthemavisit.“It’sacontainmentfield,”Niccisaid.“Weknowverylittleabouttheancient,

bewilderingly intricate makeup of the Chainfire spell. It’s hazardous to evenstudysuchunstablecomponentsalltangledtogetherthewaythatoneis.That’swhywewereusingthatparticularplacetoruntheverificationweb.ThatroomisintheoriginalcoreoftheKeep—animportantsanctuaryusedfortasksinvolvinganomalous material. Various kinds of both constructed and free-formedconjuringareapt tocontain innate tangentialoutflows thatcanconveydomainbreaches, so when working with them it’s best to confine such potentiallyhazardouscomponentstoacontainmentfield.”“Oh,well,thanksforthetranslation,”Carasaidinacuttingtone.“It’sallso

clear,now.It’safieldthing.”Nicci nodded as best she could. “Yes—a containment field.”When Cara’s

frownonlydarkened,Nicciadded,“Doingmagicinthereislikekeepingawaspinabottle.”“Oh.”Caraletoutasigh,finallygraspingthesimplifiedconcept.“Iguessthat

explainswhyZeddwassogrumpyaboutit.”“Maybehecanfixitbacktothewayitwas,”Richardoffered.“Surprisingly

enough, the room isn’t toobadly tornup. It’smostly thebrokenwindows thathe’sriledabout.”Nicci liftedahandinaweakgesture.“Idon’tdoubtit.Theglassinthereis

unique. It has embedded properties designed to contain conjured magic fromescaping—and to prevent gifted assaults. Its function is much the same asshields,exceptthatitdeterspowerratherthanpeople.”Richard considered amoment. “Well,” he finally said, “it didn’t prevent an

attackfromthebeast.”Nicci stared off at the bookshelves built into the wall opposite the bed.

“Nothingcan,”shesaid.“Inthiscasethebeastdidn’tcomethroughthewindowsorwalls—itcamethroughtheveil,emergingoutoftheunderworldrightintotheroom; it didn’t need to come through any shields or containment field orrefractoryglass.”Cara’schair thumpeddown.“And itnearly toreyourarmoff.”Sheshooka

fingeratRichard.“Youwereusingyourgift.Youdrewittoyou.IfZeddhadn’tbeentheretohealyou,youwouldlikelyhavebledtodeath.”

“Oh,Cara,everytimeyoutell thestoryIseemtobleedmore.Nodoubt thenexttimeIhearittoldI’llhavebeentornintwoandstitchedbacktogetherwithmagicthread.”Shefoldedherarmsasshetippedherchairbackagainstthewall.“Youcould

havebeentornintwo.”“Iwasn’tasbadlyhurtasyoumakeitout.I’mfine.”Richardleanedinalittle

andsqueezedNicci’shand.“Atleastyoustoppedit.”Shemethisgaze.“Fornow,”shesaid.“That’sall.”“Fornowisenoughfornow.”Hesmiledinquietsatisfaction.“Youdidgood,

Nicci.”Hisgrayeyesmirroredhisinnersincerity.Somehowtheworldalwaysseemed

better when Richard was pleased that someone had accomplished somethingdifficult.Healwaysseemedtovaluewhatpeopleachieved—alwaysseemedtodelightintheirtriumphs.Itinvariablyliftedherheartwhenhewaspleasedwithsomethingshehaddone.Hergazestrayedfromhisface.Shenoticedthesmallstatuestandingonthe

tablejustbehindhim.ThelamplighthighlightedtheflowinghairandrobesthatRichard had once so carefully carved into the figure of his impression ofKahlan’s spirit.The lustrous statue, sculpted fromwalnut, stood as if in silentdefianceofsomeinvisibleforceattemptingtosuppressthatspirit.“I’minyourroom,”Niccisaid,halftoherself.Acuriousfrowntwitchedacrosshisbrow.“Howdidyouknow?”Nicci looked away from the statue to gaze out the small, round-topped

windowthroughthethickstonewall totheleft.Adelicate,paleblushofcolorwasjustvisibleinthelowerreachesofablack,star-filledskyasdawngraduallyapproached.“Luckyguess,”shelied.“Itwascloser,”Richardexplained.“ZeddandNathanwantedtogetyouina

bed,getyoucomfortable,sotheycouldevaluatewhattheyneededtodotohelpyou.”Nicciknewbythelingering,icyfeelingcoursingthroughherveinsthatthey

haddonesomethingmorethanmereevaluation.“RikkaandIundressedyouandputyouinanightdressZeddfoundforus,”

CaraexplainedtotheunspokenquestionshemusthaveseeninNicci’seyes.“Thanks.” Nicci lifted a hand in a vague gesture. “How long have I been

unconscious?Whathappened?”“Well,”Richardsaid,“afteryoujumpedbackupintothatspell-formthenight

beforelastandcalledthelightningtostopthebeast,theverificationwebnearlytookyouforgood.After Igotyouout,Zedd thoughtyouneeded to restmorethananythingsohedidalittlesomethingsothatyouwouldsleep.Youwereabitdeliriousfromthepainyouwerein.Hesaidthathehelpedyoudriftoffsoyouwouldn’thavetosufferit.Hetoldusthatyouwouldsleepallofyesterdayandlastnight,andthenawakearounddawntoday.Iguesshehaditright.”CararosetostandbehindRichardandpeerdownatNicci.“Noonethought

thatLordRahlwouldbeabletogetyououtthesecondtime.Theythoughtyourspiritwastoofargoneintotheunderworldtoevergetyouback—buthedidit.Hegotyouback.”Nicci looked from Cara’s smug smile to Richard’s gray eyes. They didn’t

reflectanythingofthedifficultyofthetask.Shehadtroubleimagininghowhecouldhaveaccomplishedsuchathing.“Youdidgood,Richard,”shesaid,makinghimsmile.HeandCara turned towardasoftknockat thedoor.Zeddquietlyeased the

dooropentopeekin.WhenhesawthatNicciwasawake,heshedhiscareandstrolledin.“Ah,”heobserved,“backfromthedead,itwouldappear.”Niccismiled.“Wretchedexcursion. Idon’tadviseavisit to theplace.Sorry

aboutthewindows,butitwaseither—”“BetterthewindowsthanwhatmighthavehappenedtoRichard.”Nicciwascheeredtohearhimsayasmuch.“Thatwasmythought.”“Sometimeyouwillhavetoexplaintomeexactlywhatyoudidandhowyou

did it. I wasn’t aware that any form of conjured power could breach thosewindows.”“Itcan’t.Isimply…invitedaconfluenceofnaturalpowertocomeinthrough

thewindows.”Zeddregardedherwithanunreadablelook.“Aboutthewindows,”hefinally

saidinameasuredtone,“wemightbeabletouseyourabilitywithbothsidesofthegifttorestorethem.”“I’dbegladtohelp.”Caratookastepforward.“WhenTomandFriedricheventuallygetbackfrom

patrollingthesurroundingcountrysideI’msurethatthey’dbeabletohelpwiththe window’s woodwork. Friedrich, especially, knows about working withwood.”Zedd nodded as he smiled briefly at the suggestion before turning to his

grandson. “Where have you been? I went looking for you this morning andcouldn’tfindyou.I’vebeenlookingforyouallday.”

Niccirealizedthatthewindowswerehardlyhisprimaryconcern.Richardglancedbrieflyatthestatue.“Ireadalotlastnight.Whenitgotlight

Iwentforawalktothinkaboutwhattodonext.”Zeddsighedattheanswer.“Well,asItoldyouafteryoubrokethefirstspell-

formholdingNicci,weneedtotalkaboutsomeofthethingsyousaid.”Itwasclearthatitwasnotamatterofcasualcuriositybutapointeddemand.RichardstoodtohelpstuffpillowsbehindNicciwhenhesawherstarttosit

up.Thepainwasbecomingnomorethanafadingmemory.Zeddhadobviouslydone somethingmore than help her sleep.Her headwas starting to clear. Sherealizedthatshewashungry.“Sotalk,”Richardsaidashesatbackdown.“Ineedyoutoexplainpreciselyhowyouwereabletoknowhowtoshutdown

averificationweb—especiallyoneascomplexastheChainfireeventmatrix.”Richardlookedmorethanalittleweary.“Itoldyoubefore,Iunderstandthe

jargonofemblems.”Zedd claspedhis hands behindhis back as he started to pace.Concernwas

clearlyetchedinthelinesofhisface.“Yes,aboutthat,youmentionedthatyouknowa lot about ‘representationaldesigns involving lethality.’ I need toknowwhatyoumeantbythat.”Richardtookadeepbreath,lettingitoutslowlyasheleanedbackinhischair.

HavinggrownuparoundZedd,heobviouslyknewquitewell thatwhenZeddwantedtoknowsomethingitwaseasiesttojustanswerthequestions.Richard turnedhiswristsover acrosshisknees.Strange symbolsgirded the

leather-padded silver wristbands he wore. On the center of each band, at theinsidesofhiswrists,therewasasmallGrace.Thatalonewasalarmingenough,sinceNiccihadseenRichardusethemtocallthesliphsothattheycouldtravel.Shecouldn’tbegintoimaginewhattheothersymbolsmeant.“Thesethingsallaroundthebands—theemblems,designs,anddevices—are

picturesrepresenting things.LikeIsaidbefore, they’rea jargon,a languageofsorts.”Zeddwaggledafingeratthedesignsonthewristbands.“Andyoucanmake

outmeaninginthem?Likeyoudidwiththespell-form?”“Yes.Mostarewaysoffightingwiththesword—that’showIwasfirstableto

recognizethemandhowIbegantolearntounderstandthem.”Richard’sfingersidlysoughtreassuranceinthetouchoftheweapon’shilt,but

itwasnolongerthereathiship.Hecaughthimselfandwenton.“ManyofthesearethesameasthedesignsoutsidetheFirstWizard’senclave.

Youknow—onthosebrassplaquesontheentablatureabovethevariegated,red

stonecolumns,ontheroundmetaldisksallalongthefrieze,andalsocarvedintothestoneofthecornice.”He glanced over his shoulder at his grandfather. “Most of these emblems

overtlyinvolvecombatwithasword.”Nicciblinkedinsurpriseasshelistened.Richardhadnevertoldheraboutthe

symbols on thewristbands.AsFirstWizard,Zeddhadbeen the keeper of theSword ofTruth, and itwas his duty to name a newSeekerwhen needed, butgiven his reaction, she didn’t think that even he had known about this. Shesupposed that was understandable. The sword, after all, had been madethousandsofyearsbeforebywizardswithprodigiouspower.“That one.” Zedd thrust a bony finger at an emblem on one of Richard’s

wristbands.“ThatoneisonthedoortotheFirstWizard’senclave.”Richardturnedhisotherwristandtappedastarburstpatternonthetopofthe

silverband.“Asisthisonehere.”ZeddpulledRichard’sarmscloser,inspectingthewristbandsinthelamplight.

“Yes…thosearebothonthedoor.”HesquintedafrownatRichard.“Andyouhonestly believe that they mean something, and that you’ve learned to readthem?”“Yes,ofcourse.”Zedd,hiswirybrowsdrawing low,was still clearlydubious. “Whatdoyou

thinktheymean?”Richardtouchedasymbolonthewristbandsandonelikeitonhisbootpins.

He pointed out the same designwithin the gold band around his black tunic.Untilhepointeditout,Niccihadn’trealizedthatitwashiddenthere,amongtherestofwhatseemedtobenothingmorethananelaboratedecorativestrip.Thepattern looked like two rough triangleswith a sinuous, undulating double linerunningaroundandthroughthem.“Thisoneisakindofrhythmusedforfightingwhenoutnumbered.Itconveys

asenseofthecadenceofthedance,movementswithoutironform.”Zeddcockedaneyebrow.“Movementwithoutironform?”“Yes,youknow,movementthat’snotrigid,notprescribedandinflexible,yet

isstilldeliberate,withspecificintentaswellaspreciseobjectives;Thisemblemdescribesanintegralpartofthedance.”“Thedance?”Richardnodded.“Thedancewithdeath.”Zedd’sjawworkedamomentbeforehisvoicereturned.“Dance.Withdeath.”

He stammered a moment more with the halting beginnings of a flurry ofquestionsbeforefinallypausingandthenretreatingtosomethingsimpler.“And

howdoesthisconnectwiththesymbolsattheFirstWizard’senclave?”Richard burnished a thumb across the forms on the left wristband. “The

symbolswouldhavemeaningtoawarwizard—that,inpart,ishowIfigureditout.Symbolshavesignificanceinmanyprofessions.Tailorspaintshearsontheirwindow, a weapons maker might paint the outline of knives over his door, atavernmighthaveasignwithamugonit,ablacksmithananvil,andafarriermightnailuphorseshoes.Somesigns,askullwithcrossedbonesbeneathitforinstance,warnof somethingdeadly.Warwizards likewiseput signsupon theFirstWizard’senclave.“Even more importantly, each profession has its own jargon, a specialized

vocabularyspecifictothatcraft.It’snodifferentwithawarwizard.Thejargonof his profession has to dowith lethality.These symbols here and outside theFirstWizard’senclaveareinpartthesignofhiscraft:bringingdeath.”Zeddclearedhisthroat,thenlookeddownandpointedatanothersymbolon

Richard’swristband.“Thisone,here.Thisoneisonthedoortomyenclave.Doyouknowitsmeaning?Canyouparaphraseitsintent?”Richardturnedhiswristslightlyasheglanceddownatthestarburstsymbol.

“It’s an admonition not to allow your vision to lock on any one thing. Thestarburstisawarningtolookeverywhereatonce,toseenothingtotheexclusionofeverythingelse.It’sareminderthatyoumustn’tallowtheenemytodrawyourattentioninawaythatdirectsyourvisionandmakesitsettleononething.Ifyoudo, youwill seewhathewishesyou to see.Doing sowill allowhim toblindyou,inamannerofspeaking,andhewillthencomeatyouwithoutyouseeinghimandyouwillmostlikelyloseyourlife.“Instead, like this starburst, your vision must open to all there is, never

settling, even when cutting. To dance with death means to understand andbecome as one with your enemy,meaningwith the way he thinks within therangeofhisknowledge, so thatyouknowhis swordaswellasyourown—itsexact location, its speed, and its nextmovebefore it comeswithout having towaittoseeitfirst.Byopeningyourvisioninthisway,openingallyoursenses,youcometoknowyourenemy’smindandmovesasifbyinstinct.”Zeddscratchedhistemple.“You’retryingtotellmethatthesesymbols,signs

specifictowarwizards,areallinstructionsforusingasword?”Richardshookhishead.“Theword‘sword’ismeanttorepresentallformsof

struggle,not just combator fightingwithaweapon. It applies just asmuch tostrategyandleadership,amongotherthingsinlife.“Dancingwithdeathmeansbeingcommitted to thevalueof life,committed

with yourmind, heart, and soul, so that you are truly prepared to dowhat is

necessarytopreservelife.Dancingwithdeathmeansthatyouaretheincarnationofdeath,cometoreaptheliving,inordertopreservelife.”Zeddlookedthunderstruck.RichardseemedsomewhatsurprisedbyZedd’sreaction.“Allofthisismuch

inkeepingwitheverythingyou’veevertaughtme,Zedd.”ThelamplightcastsharpshadowsacrossZedd’sangularface.“Isupposethat

inawayitis,Richard.Butatthesametimeit’ssomuchmore.”Richardnoddedasherubbedathumbacrossthesoftlyglowingsilversurface

ofawristband.Heseemedtosearchforwords.“Zedd, Iknowthatyouwouldhavewanted to be the one to teachme about all the things having to dowithyourenclave—likeyouwanted tobe theone to teachmeabout theGrace.AsFirstWizarditwasyourplacetodoso.PerhapsIshouldhavewaited.”Hebroughtupafistinconviction.“ButtherewerelivesatstakeandthingsI

hadtodo.Ihadtolearnitwithoutyou.”“Bags, Richard, how would I teach you about such things?” he said in

resignation.“Themeaningofthosesymbolshasbeenlostforthousandsofyears.No wizard since, since… well, no wizard I know of has ever been able todecipherthem.Ihavetroubleimagininghowyoudid.”Richardshruggedoneshoulderself-consciously.“OnceIbegantocatchon,it

allbecameprettyobvious.”Zeddcasta troubledlookathisgrandson.“Richard,Igrewupinthisplace.

I’ve spent a great deal of my life here. I was FirstWizard when there wereactuallywizardsheretodirect.”Heshookhishead.“AllthattimethosedesignswereontheFirstWizard’senclave,andIneverknewwhat theymeant.Itmayseem simple and obvious to you, but it is not. For all I know, you’re justimaginingthatyouunderstandtheemblems—justmakingupmeaningyouwanttobethere.”“I’mnot imagining theirmeaning.They’ve savedmy life countless times. I

learned a great deal about how to fight with a sword by understanding thelanguageofthesesymbols.”Zedddidn’targuebutinsteadgesturedattheamuletRichardworearoundhis

neck. In the center, surrounded by a complex of gold and silver lines, was ateardrop-shaped ruby as big as Nicci’s thumbnail. “You found that in myenclave.Doyoualsohaveanideaofwhatitmeans?”“Itwaspartofthisoutfit,partoftheoutfitwornbyawarwizard,butunlike

therestof it, likeyousaid, thiswas left in theprotectionof theFirstWizard’senclave.”“Anditsmeaning?”

Richard’s fingers reverently brushed the amulet. “The ruby is meant torepresent a drop of blood. The emblems engraved in this talisman are thesymbolicrepresentationofthewayoftheprimaryedict.”Zedd pressed his fingers to his forehead, as if confounded by yet another

confusingconundrum.“Theprimaryedict?”Richard’s gaze seemed lost in the amulet. “It means only one thing, and

everything:cut.Oncecommittedtofight,cut.Everythingelseissecondary.Cut.That isyourduty,yourpurpose,yourhunger.Thereisnorulemoreimportant,nocommitmentthatoverridesthatone:cut.”Richard’swordscamesoftly,withakindofknowing,deadlyseriousnessthat

chilledNiccitothebone.He lifted the amulet out away from his chest, his gaze fixed on its ornate

engravings.“The engraved lines are a portrayal of the dance and as such they have a

specificmeaning.”Hetracedafingeralongtheswirlingdesignsashespoke,asiffollowingalineoftextinanancientlanguage.“Cutfromthevoid,notfrombewilderment. Cut the enemy as quickly and directly as possible. Cut withcertainty.Cutdecisively,resolutely.Cutintohisstrength.Flowthroughthegapsinhisguard.Cuthim.Cuthimdownutterly.Don’tallowhimabreath.Crushhim.Cuthimwithoutmercytothedepthsofhisspirit.”Richardglancedupathisgrandfather.“Itisthebalancetolife:death.Itisthe

dancewithdeathor,moreprecisely,themechanismofthedancewithdeath—itsessencereducedtoform,itsformprescribedbyconcepts.“Itisthelawawarwizardlivesby,orhedies.”Zedd’s hazel eyes were unreadable. “So these marks, these emblems,

ultimatelyregardawarwizardasamereswordsman?”“ThesameoverridingprincipleItoldyouaboutbeforeappliestothisjustasit

doestheothersymbols.Theprimaryedictisnotmeanttomerelyconveyhowawarwizard fightswith aweapon, but,more importantly,with hismind. It’s afundamental understanding of the nature of reality that must encompasseverything he does. By being true to the primary edict, any weapon is anextensionofhismind,anagentofhisintent.Inawayit’swhatyouoncetoldmeaboutbeingtheSeeker.It’snottheweaponthatmatterssomuchasthemanwhowieldstheweapon.“Themanwho lastwore this amuletwas onceFirstWizard.His namewas

Baraccus.Healsohappenedtohavebeenboraawarwizard,asamI.He, too,went to theTempleof theWinds,butwhenhereturned,hewent into theFirstWizard’senclave,leftthisthere,cameout,andcommittedsuicidebyleapingoff

thesideoftheKeep.”Richard’s gaze drifted into distant visions and memories. “For a time, I

understoodandachedtojoinhim.”Nicciwasrelievedwhenthehauntedlookinhisgrayeyeswasbanishedbythereturnofhiseasysmile.“ButIcametomysenses.”The room rang with the silence, as if death itself had just silently glided

throughtheroom,pausedforamoment,andthenmovedon.Zedd at last smiled himself as he gripped Richard’s shoulder, giving his

grandsonan affectionate joggle. “I’mglad toknow Imade the right choice innamingyouSeeker,myboy.”NicciwishedthatRichardstillhadtheswordthatbelongedwiththeSeeker,

buthehadsacrificeditforinformationinanattempttofindKahlan.“So,”Zeddsaidatlast,gettingbacktothematterathand,“becauseyouknow

about thesesymbols,youbelieveyouunderstoodsymbolswithintheChainfirespell-form.”“Iwasabletoshutitdown,wasn’tI?”Zeddclaspedhishandsbehindhisbackagain.“Youhaveapoint there.But

that doesn’t necessarily mean that you could read forms within the spell asemblems,muchlessknowthatthespell-formwascorruptedbythechimes.”“Not the chimes themselves,” Richard patiently explained, “but the

contamination left behind as a result of the chimeshavingbeen in thisworld.ThatcorruptioniswhatinfectedtheChainfirespell.That’stheissue.”Zeddturnedaway,hisfacehiddeninshadows.“Butstill,Richard,evenifyou

actually do understand something of the emblems having to do with warwizards, how can you be sure that you accurately understand this, this”—hegestured in the vague direction of the roomwhere it had all happened—”thisotherbusinesswiththeChainfirespellandthechimes?”“Iknow,”Richardinsistedinaquietvoice.“Isawthemarkofthenatureof

thecorruption.Itwascausedbythechimes.”Hesoundedtired.Nicciwonderedhowlonghe’dbeenup.Becauseofthearid

timbre to his voice and the slightest unsteadiness in his movements, shesuspectedthatithadprobablybeendayssincehe’dslept.Despitehowwearyhemighthavebeen,hesoundedresoluteinhisconviction.SheknewthatitwashisworryforKahlandrivinghimon.Nicci,havingbeenpulledoutof thespell-formbyhim twice,wasn’tone to

want tosoeasilydiscounthis theory.More than that, though,shehadcometounderstandthatRichardhadan insight intomagic thatwasverydifferent fromthe conventionalwisdom.At first she had thought that his perception of how

magic functioned inpart throughartisticconceptswasaproductofhishavingbeen raised without having been taught about magic, without having anyexposuretoit,butshehadsincecometoseethatthatuniqueinsight,alongwithhissingularintellect,hadenabledhimtograspanessentialnatureofmagicthatwasfundamentallydifferentfromtheorthodoxteachings.NiccihadcometobelievethatRichardmightactuallyunderstandmagicina

waynotenvisionedbyanyonesinceancienttimes.Zeddturnedback,hisfaceilluminatedbythewarmglowoflamplightonone

sideand,on theother, the faint, cold lightofdawn. “Richard, let’s sayyou’reright about themeaningof the symbols on thosewristbands and the ones likethemon theFirstWizard’senclave.Understanding those thingsdoesnotmeanthat you can understand the lines within a verificationweb. It’s a completelydifferent,andunique,context.I’mnotdoubtingyourability,myboy,I’mreallynot,butdealingwithspell-forms isavastlycomplexmatter.Youcan’t leap totheconclusion—”“Haveyouseenadragoninthelastcoupleofyears?”Everyone in the room fell to stunned silence atRichard’s sudden changeof

topic—and not just to any subject, but one that could only be described asstrangeatbest.“A dragon?” Zedd ventured, at last, like a man inching out onto a newly

frozenlake.“Yes, a dragon. Do you recall seeing a dragon since we left our home in

WestlandandcametotheMidlands?”Zedd smoothed back some of thewavy tufts of his white hair. He glanced

brieflytobothCaraandNiccibeforeanswering.“Well,no,Ican’treallysaythatIrecallhavingseenanydragons,butwhatdoesthathavetodo—”“Wherearethey?Whyhaven’tyouseenany?Whyaretheygone?”Zeddlookedathiswits’end.Hespreadhishands.“Richard,dragonsarevery

rarecreatures.”Richard leanedback inhischair,crossingone legoverhisotherknee.“Red

dragons are.ButKahlan toldme that other types are relatively common,withsomeofthesmalleroneskeptforhuntingandsuch.”Zedd’sexpressionturnedsuspicious.“Whatareyougettingat?”Richard gestured with a sweep of a hand. “Where are the dragons? Why

haven’tweseenany?That’swhatI’mgettingat.”Zedd folded his arms across his chest. “I give up. What are you talking

about?”“Well,foronething,youdon’tremember—that’swhatI’mtalkingabout.The

ChainfirespellhasaffectedmorethanjustyourmemoryofKahlan.”“Don’trememberwhat?”Zeddsputtered.“Whatdoyoumean?”Insteadofansweringhisgrandfather,Richardlookedbackoverhisshoulder.

“Haveyouseenadragon?”heaskedCara.“I don’t recall any.”Her gaze remained fixed on him. “Are you suggesting

thatIshould?”“Darken Rahl kept a dragon. Since he was the Lord Rahl at the time, you

wouldhavebeenathandsoyouwouldprobablyhaveseenit.”ZeddandCarasharedatroubledlook.RichardturnedhisraptorgazeonNicci.“You?”Nicci cleared her throat. “I always thought they were mythical creatures.

Therearen’tany in theOldWorld. If thereeverwere, theyhaven’texistedforages.Norecordssincethegreatwarhaveanymentionofthem.”“WhataboutsinceyoucametotheNewWorld.”Niccihesitatedatrecountingthememory.Sherealized,though,bythewayhe

patiently and silently waited for her answer, that he wasn’t going to let thesubjectgo.Sheknew thatwhateverobscureequationhewasworking to solvewouldn’tinvolveanythingtrivial.Underhissilentscrutiny,Niccifeltnotonlyacompulsiontoanswer,butarisingsenseofforeboding.Shethrewthebedcoversbackandswungherfeetdownoffthesideofthebed.

Shedidn’twant tobe lying thereany longer—especiallywhenspeakingaboutthattime.Grippingthesiderail,shemetRichard’sgaze.“When I was taking you away to the Old World, before we left the New

World,wecameacrosscolossalbones.Inevergotdownoffmyhorsetolookatthem, but I rememberwatching youwalk through those rib bones—rib bonesthatwerewellbeyond twiceyourheight. Ihadneverseenanything like them.Yousaidthatyoubelievedthatitwastheremainsofadragon.“I thought that theymusthavebeenancientbones.You said theywerenot,

thattheystillhadscrapsoffleshonthem.Youpointedoutallthefliesbuzzingaround it as proof that it was what was left of a rotted carcass, not ancientremains.”Richardnoddedatthememory.Zeddclearedhisthroat.“Andhaveyoueverseenadragon,Richard?Onethat

wasalive,Imean.”“Scarlet.”“What?”“Thatwashername:Scarlet.”Zeddblinkedwithincredulity.“Youhaveseenadragon…andithasaname?”

Richard stood and went to the window. He rested his hands on the stoneopening,leaninghisweightonitashegazedout.“Yes,”hesaidatlast.“HernamewasScarlet.Shehelpedme,before.Shewas

anoblebeast.”Heturnedbackfromthewindow.“Butthat’snotthepoint.Thepointisthat

youknewher,too.”Zedd’seyebrowslifted.“Iknewthisdragon?”“Not as well as Kahlan or I, but you knew her. The Chainfire event has

obviouslycorruptedyourmemoryofit.ChainfirewasmeanttomakeeveryoneforgetKahlan,buteveryone is forgettingother thingsaswell, things thatwereconnectedwithher.“For all I know,youmight oncehaveknown themeaningsof the emblems

outside theFirstWizard’s enclavebetter than Ido. Ifyoudid, thatmemory islosttoyou.Howmanyotherthingshavebeenlost?Idon’tknowmuchaboutthevariouswaystousemagic,butwhenwewerefightingthebeasttheothernightitseemedtomethatinthepastallofyouusedmoreinventivespellsandpowersthanthesimplethingsyoutriedagainstthethreat—exceptmaybewhatNiccididattheend.“ThisiswhatthemenwhocameupwiththeChainfirespellfearedmost.This

iswhytheydidn’teverwantitignited.Thisiswhytheyneverevendaredtestit.They feared that once such an eventwas initiated itmight spread, destroyingconnectionsremovedfromtheprimarytargetofthespell—inthiscaseKahlan.YourmemoryofKahlanislost.YourmemoryofScarletislost.Yourmemoryofevenhavingseendragonsisapparentlylostaswell.”Niccistood.“Richard,nooneisarguingthattheChainfirespellisn’tterribly

dangerous. We all know that. We all know that our memories have beendamaged by the ignition of a Chainfire event. Do you have any idea howdisturbingitistobeintellectuallyawarethatwealldidthings,knewthings,andknewpeoplethatwenowcan’tremember?Don’tyourealizehowhauntingistobeinconstantdreadofwhatmemoriesarelost,andwhatothersmightbelost?Thatyourverymindiseroding?Whatareyougettingat,anyway?”“Just that—what else is being lost. I think that thedestruction is expanding

througheveryone’smemory—thattheirmindsareeroding,asyouputit.Idon’tthinkthatChainfirewasasingleeventofmerelyforgettingKahlan.Ithinkthatthespell,onceactivated,isanongoing,dynamicprocess.Ithinkthateveryone’smemorylossiscontinuingtospread.”Zedd,Cara,andNiccialllookedawayfromRichard’sunwaveringgaze.Nicci

wonderedhowtheycouldexpecttohelphimifnoneofthemwereconsciously

capableofusing theirownminds,much lesskeepingwhat they still had fromdaytoday.HowcouldRichardtrustanyofthem?“I’m afraid that as bad as thatmuch of it is, it getsmore involved and far

worse,” Richard said, the heat having left his voice. “Dragons, like manycreatures in theMidlands, need and usemagic to live.What if the corruptioncaused by the chimes extinguished themagic that they need in order to live?Whatifnoonehasseenanydragonsforthelastcoupleofyearsbecausetheynolonger exist andwithChainfire are now forgotten?What other creatureswithmagicmighthavealsovanishedfromexistence?”Richard tapped a thumbagainst his ownchest. “Weare creatures ofmagic.

Wehavethegift.Howlonguntilthattaintleftbythechimesbeginstodestroyus?”“Butperhaps…”Zedd’svoicetrailedoffwhenhecouldthinkofnoargument.“TheChainfirespellitselfiscontaminated.Youallsawwhatitwasdoingto

Nicci.Shewasinthespellandsheknowstheterribletruthofit.”Richardbeganpacingashespoke.“Thereisnotellinghowthecontaminationwithinthespellmight change theway itworks. Itmight evenbe that thecontamination is thereason that everyone’s memory loss is spreading beyond what would haveotherwisehappened.“Butworseyet,itappearsthatthecorruptionhasworkedinconjunctionwith

theChainfireeventinasymbioticfashion.”Zeddlookedup.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”“What is themindlesspurposeof thechimes?Whyweretheycreatedin the

firstplace?Foronesinglefunction,”Richardsaidinanswertohisownquestion,“todestroymagic.”Richard paused his pacing to face the rest of them as he went on. “The

contamination left by the chimes is destroyingmagic. The creatures that needmagic to live—dragons, for example—would likelybe the first tobe affected.That cascade of events will continue. But no one is aware of it because theChainfire event is simultaneously destroying everyone’s memory. I think thismaybehappeningbecausetheChainfirespelliscontaminated,causingeveryonetoforgettheverythingsbeinglost.“Inmuchthewayaleechnumbsitsvictimsothattheywon’tfeeltheirblood

beingdrainedaway,theChainfirespellismakingeveryoneforgetwhatisbeinglostbecauseofthecorruptionofthechimes.“Theworldischangingdramaticallyandnooneisevenawareofit.It’sasif

everyoneisforgettingthatthisisaworldthatisinfluencedby,andinmanyways

functions through, theexistenceofmagic.Thatmagic isdyingout…andsoiseveryone’smemoryofit.”Richard again leaned on the sill and stared out thewindow. “A new day is

dawning,adayinwhichmagiccontinuestodieout,andnooneisevenawarethat it is fading away.When it passes entirely, I doubt that anyonewill evenrememberit,rememberwhatoncewas.“It’sasifallthatwasthisworldispassingintoarealmofmerelegend.”Zeddpressedhisfingerstothetableashestaredintothedistance.Thelightof

thelampaccentuatedthedeepcreasesofhisdrawnfeatures.Hisfacehadgoneashen.Atthatmoment,Niccithoughtthathelookedveryold.“Dearspirits,”Zeddsaidwithoutlookingup.“Whatifyou’reright?”They all turned to the sound of a polite knock. Cara pulled the door open.

NathanandAnnstoodbeyondthedoorway,peeringin.“We ran the standard verification web,” Nathan said as he entered behind

Ann,glancingaroundatthesomberexpressions.Zeddlookedupexpectantly.“And?”“Anditrevealsnoflaws,”Annsaid.“It’sperfectlyintactineveryway.”“Howcanthatbe?”Caraasked.“Weallsawthetroublewiththeotherone.It

nearlykilledNicci—andwouldhaveifLordRahlhadn’tgottenherout.”“Ourpoint,exactly,”Nathansaid.Zedd’s gaze fell away. “An interior perspective is said to be able to reveal

morethanthestandardverificationprocess,”heexplainedtoCara.“Thisisnotagoodsign.Notagoodsignatall.Thecontaminationapparentlyburieditselfasdeeplyaspossibleinordertoconcealitspresence.That’swhyitwasn’tseeninthestandardverificationweb.”“Orelse,”Annofferedassheslippedherhands intooppositesleevesofher

simplegraydress,“thereisnothingreallywrongwiththespell.Afterall,noneofushaseverrunaninteriorperspectivebefore.Suchathinghasn’tbeendoneinthousandsofyears.It’spossiblewedidsomethingwrong.”Zeddshookhishead.“Iwishitwereso,butInowbelieveittobeotherwise.”Nathan’sbrowdrewdownwitha suspicious look,butAnn spokebeforehe

hadachance.“EveniftheSisterswhounleashedthespellranaverificationweb,”shesaid,

“they likelywouldnothave runan interiorperspective, so theywouldn’thavesuspectedthatitwascontaminated.”Richard rubbedhis fingertips back and forth across his brow. “Even if they

knew that it was contaminated, I don’t think they cared. They wouldn’t beconcernedaboutwhatdamagesuchcontaminationmightcausetheworld.Their

goal,afterall,wastogettheboxesandunleashthepowerofOrden.”Nathan looked from one grim face to another. “What’s going on? What’s

happened?”“I’mafraidthatwe’vejustlearnedthatmemorymayonlybethebeginningof

ourloss.”Niccifeltratheroddstandingbeforetheminapinknightdressasshepronounced theendof theworldas theyknew it. “Weare losingwhoweare,whatweare.Wearelosingnotjustourworld,butourselves.”Richardnolongerseemedtobepayingattentiontotheconversation.Hewas

standingstock-still,staringoutthewindow.“SomeoneiscominguptheroadtotheKeep.”“Maybeit’sTomandFriedrich,”Nathansaid.Zedd shook his head as hemade for thewindow. “Theywouldn’t be back

fromapatrolofthesurroundingcountrysidethissoon.”“Well,itcouldbethatthey—”“It’snotTomandFriedrich,”Richardsaidashestartedforthedoor.“It’stwo

women.”

Chapter10“What is it?” Rikka called out as Richard,Nicci, andCara ran toward her.

Nathan and Ann had already fallen far behind. Zedd was somewhere in themiddle.“Comeon,”Richardshoutedtoherasheranpast.“SomeoneiscominguptheKeeproad,”Caracalledbackoverhershoulderas

Rikkajoinedinthechargethroughthehalls.Richardveeredaroundalongstonetablesetagainstthewallbeneathahuge

paintingof a lake.Sheltered trails couldbe seenburrowed through thedeeplyshadowed pine groves. In the distance, through a bluish haze, majesticmountainsroseuptocatchbrushstrokesofgoldensunlight.ItwasascenethatmadeRichard long tobeback inhisHartlandwoodson the trailsheknewsowell. More than anything, though, the painting always reminded him of themagical summer he’d spentwithKahlan in the home he had built for her farbackinthemountains.ThesummerofKahlan’srecoveryfromherterribleinjuries,asheshowedher

thenaturalbeautyofhisforestedworldandsheonceagainblossomedback tohealth, had been one of the happiest times of his life. It had ended all toosuddenly when Nicci had arrived without warning and taken him away. Heknew,though,thatifNiccihadnotinterruptedit,somethingelsewouldhave.Ithadbeenadreamtimethathadtoend;untiltheloomingthreatfromtheImperialOrderwas halted, no one could live their dreams.Theywould all, instead, besweptupinthesamenightmare.Theyturnedacorneraroundagreenmarblepillarwithagoldcapitalandbase

andallplungeddownaspiralrunofgranitesteps,RichardandNicciintheleadwiththetwoMord-Sithfollowingcloseontheirheels.ThestairwellwassmallfortheKeep,butwouldhavedwarfedanythingRichardhadeverseengrowingupbackinWestland.Atthebottom,heslidtoahalt,momentarilypausingtodecidewhichwould

be the quickest route; in the Keep it wasn’t always the way it would seem.Besides that, it was as easy to get lost in the Keep as it was to lose one’sdirectioninabirchforest.CarapushedthroughbetweenRichardandNicci,notonlytobesurethatthere

wouldbeared-leather-cladguardtoeachsideofhim,butsothatshewouldbetheoneoutaheadofhim.AsfarasRichardknew,Mord-Sithdidn’thaverank,but Rikka, like the other Mord-Sith, always wordlessly conceded Cara’sunspokenauthority.Richard recognized the unique pattern of the thin black and gilded bands

liningbothsidesofthemahoganywainscotinginoneofthepaneledcorridorstotheside.Fromalmostsincethetimehehadlearnedtowalk,Richardhadusedthedetailsofhissurroundingstoknowhisway.Liketreesinthewoodsthatherecognizedbecauseofsomepeculiaritylikeatwistedlimb,agrowth,orascar,hehadlearnedtonavigatethroughtheKeepandplaceslikeitbythedetailsofarchitecture.Hegestured.“Thisway.”Carachargedoffaheadofhim.Astheyran,theirbootstrikesechoedoffthestonefloorofthehall.Nicciwas

barefoot. He was somewhat surprised that without shoes she could keep uprunningacrosstheroughstone.NicciwasnotthekindofwomanRichardeverenvisioned running in bare feet. Even running in bare feet, though, she stilllookedsomehow…regal.Itwasn’tall that longago thatRichardwouldnothave imaginedNicciever

runningagain.Hewasstillsurprisedthathehadmanagedtogetheroutofthespell-formafterthelightninghadexplodedthroughthewindow.Foratime,hewassurethattheyhadlosther.IfZeddhadnotbeentheretohelpafterRichardhadshutdowntheverificationweb,theyverywellmighthave.Theyturneddownanotherhall;longcarpetsquietedtheirrunandfinallyled

thembetweentwohighlypolishedredmarblecolumnsandintotheoval-shapedanteroom.Abalcony,supportedbypillarsandarches,ranaroundtheperimeterof the room. The doorways at the back of the balcony were all corridors,arrangedlikethespokesofawheel,thatledtodifferentlevelsandareasoftheKeep.Richardboundeddownthefivestepsringingtheroominsidethecolumnsand

ran past the great clover-leaf-shaped fountain centered in the tiled floor. Thefountain’swaterscascadeddownsuccessivetiersofeverwider,scallopedbowlstoendupinapoolcontainedbyaknee-highwhitemarblewallthatalsoservedas a bench. A hundred feet overhead a glassed roof flooded the room withwarmthandlight.Whenhereachedthefarsideoftheroom,RichardpushedaheadofCaraand

threwopenoneof theheavydoubledoors.Hepausedon the topof thedozenwidegranitestepsoutside.Niccihaltedbesidehim,tohisleft,withRikkaonthefar sideofher.Cara took adefensiveplace closebyonhis right.All of themwerestillcatchingtheirbreathfromthebriefbutswiftrunthroughtheKeep.The grass in the paddock across the way was lush and green in the early-

morninglight.BeyondthepaddockthewalloftheKeeprosestraightup,makingtheinnercourtyardseemlikeacozycanyon.Thepassingofmillenniahadleftthe soaring wall of tightly fitted, dark stone stained with pale tan sediment.

Creamydripsofcalciumdepositsgavetheimpressionthattherockwasslowlymelting.Two horses clopped through the dark, arched opening to the left, which

tunneledunderpartof theKeep togainaccess to the innercourtyard.Richardcouldn’t tellwho itwas,hiddenas theywereback in thedeepshadowsof thebroad, low archway, but whoever it was must have known where they weregoingandtheyapparentlyweren’tafraidtoenteraninteriorareaoftheKeep,anareausednotbyvisitorsbutbywizardsandthosewhohadworkedwiththematthecomplex.But thatwas longago.Still,Richardrecalledhisowntrepidationthe first timehecautiouslyventured this far into thegroundsof theKeep.Hishacklesroseatwhomightbeboldenoughtoriderightintosuchaplace.Whenthetworidersemergedintothelight,Richardsawthatoneofthemwas

Shota.The witch woman locked eyes with him and smiled that quiet, knowing,

privatesmilesheworesonaturally.LikemostotherthingsaboutShota,Richarddidn’t entirely trust the smile as significant, much less sincere, and so hecouldn’tbesurethatitauguredwell.Hedidn’t recognize thewoman,maybe tenor fifteenyearsolder,who rode

deferentiallyhalfalengthbehindShota.Short,sandyhairframedthewoman’spleasant face.Her eyeswere as intensely blue as the sky on a sparkling clearautumn day. Unlike Shota, she wore no casual smile. As they rode, her headswiveled and thoseblue eyes searched, as if she feared an imminent attackofdemonswhomightmaterializeoutofthedarkstoneofthesurroundingwalls.Shota,bycontrast,lookedcalmandself-confident.Cara leaned past Richard toward Nicci. “Shota, the witch woman,” she

whisperedconfidentially.“I know,”Nicci answeredwithout taking her eyes off the beautiful woman

ridingtowardthem.Shotabroughtherhorse toahaltclose to thesteps.Asshestraightenedher

shouldersshecasuallyrestedherwristsacrossthesaddle’spommel.“Ineedtoseeyou,”shesaid toRichardas ifhewere theonlyonestanding

there.Thesmile,sincereornot,hadvanished.“Wehavemuchtotalkabout.”“Whereisyourmurderouslittlecompanion,Samuel?”Shota, riding sidesaddle, slipped down off her horse in a way that Richard

imaginedmustbehowaspiritwouldsliptoground,ifspiritsrodehorses.Ahintof indignationnarrowedShota’salmond-shapedeyes.“That isoneof

thethingsweneedtotalkabout.”TheotherwomandismountedaswellandtookthereinstoShota’shorsewhen

the witch woman lifted them to the side, much the way a queen would, notknowing or caring who would take them, but expecting without any doubtwhatsoever that someone would. Her gaze remained fixed on Richard as sheglided closer to the broad granite steps.Her thick,wavy auburn hair tumbleddown over the front of her shoulders and glistened in the early light. Herrevealingdress,madeofanairy,rust-coloredfabricthatcomplementedperfectlythecolorofherhair,seemedtofloatwithhereffortlessstrides,clingingtohereverycurve,atleasttheonesitcovered.Shota’sgazefinallyleftRichardtotakeinNicciwithan“Idareyou”look.It

was the kind of look thatwould havewithered just about anyone. It failed towitherNicciintheleast.ItstruckRichardthathewasprobablyinthepresenceofthetwomostdangerouswomenalive.Hehalfexpecteddarkthundercloudstorollinandlightningtonicker,buttheskyremaineddefiantlyclear.Shota’sgazefinallyslidbacktoRichard.“YourfriendChasehasbeengravely

hurt.”Richarddidn’tknowwhathehadbeenexpectingShotatosay,butthatwasn’t

evenclose.“Chase…?”Zedd suddenly arrived and pushed his way through between Richard and

Cara.“Shota!”hedeclaredinahuff.Hisfacehadgoneredanditwasn’tfromhisrunthroughthehalls.“HowdareyoucomeintotheKeep!FirstyouswindleRichardoutofthesword,andthen—”Richard lifted an arm out across his grandfather’s chest to stop him from

charging down the steps. “Zedd, calm down. Shota says that Chase has beenbadlyhurt.”“Howdoesshethink—”Zedd’svoiceabruptlyclippedoffwhenRichard’swordsfinallysank in.His

wideeyesturnedbacktowardShota.“Chase,hurt?Dearspirits…how?”Zeddsuddenlycaughtsightoftheotherwomanstandingalittlefartherback,

holdingthereinstothehorses.Hesquintedagainstthebrightlight.“Jebra?JebraBevinvier?”Thewomansmiledwarmly.“Ithasbeenquiteawhile.Iwasn’tsurethatyou

wouldrememberme,WizardZorander.”ThistimeRicharddidn’ttrytostopZeddwhenherushedtodescendthesteps.

Heembracedthewomaninawarmandprotectivehug.“WizardZorander—”“Zedd,remember?”Shedrewbacktopeerupathisface.Asmilebrokethroughthesadnessthat

weighedsoheavilyinhereyes.Hersmileghostedaway.“Zedd,myvisionhas

gonedark.”“Gonedark?”Concerntighteninghisfeatures,hestraightenedandgrippedher

bytheshoulders.“Howlongago?”Aterribleanguishfloodedbackintoherblueeyes.“Nearlytwoyears.”“Twoyears…”Zeddsaid,hisvoicetrailingoffindismay.“I rememberyou,now.”Richardsaidashemoveddown thesteps.“Kahlan

toldmeaboutyou.”JebracastRichardapuzzledfrown.“Who?”“Thephantomhechases,”Shotasaid,herunwaveringgazefixedonhimasif

daringhimtoargue.“Thewomanheseeksisnophantom,”Niccisaid,drawingShota’sattention.

“Thanks inpart to thepriceyandratherequivocalsuggestionsyouoffered,wehave discovered the truth of what Richard has been telling us all along.Apparentlyyouarestillinthedarkaboutit.”Nicci’sicylookremindedRichardthatshehadoncebeenknownasDeath’s

Mistress. The cold authority in her voice matched the look. There were fewwomenin theworldaswidelyfearedasNiccihadoncebeen—exceptperhapsforShota.Nicci’sdemeanor indicated that shewasclearlyawomanstill tobefeared.Shota, unfazed, deliberately took in the length of Nicci’s pink nightdress.

Richardexpectedasmirk.Instead,ahotlookflashedinShota’seyes.“You have been sleeping in his bed.” She sounded almost surprised by her

ownwords,asiftheinformationhadcometomindunexpectedly.NiccishruggedwithsatisfactionatShota’sire.“SoIhave.”TheslightestsmileinturncurledthecornersofShota’smouth.“Butyouhave

not succeeded in bedding him yet.” Her smile widened. “Have you tried,mydear?Ordoyoufearthestingofrejection?”“Idon’tknow,whydon’tyoutellmehowitfelt,thenI’lldecide.”Richard gently pulledNicci back from the edge of the step before the two

woman did something stupid—like try to scratch out each other’s eyes. Orreduceeachothertoashes.“Yousaidyouwerehereforareason,Shota—thishadbetternotbeit.”Shotaheavedasoftsigh.“IfoundyourfriendChase.Hewasgravelyinjured.”“Soyousaid.Howwasheinjured?”Shota’sgazedidn’tshrinkfromhis.“Hewashurtbyaswordyouwouldbe

quitefamiliarwith.”Richard blinked in astonishment. “Chase was hurt by the Sword of Truth?

SamuelattackedChase?”

“I’mafraidso.”ZeddshookabonyfingeratShota.“Thisisyourdoing!”“Nonsense.”Shota,too,liftedafingerasZeddsteppedcloser,butinwarning

rather than accusation. The gesture, and her words, kept Zedd from takinganother step. “I need no sword to accomplish harm.” She arched an eyebrow.“Liketosee,wizard?”“Stopit!”Richarddescendedthestepstwoatatimeandputhimselfbetween

Shotaandhisgrandfather.HeturnedaglareofhisownonShota.“What’sgoingon?”Shesighedunhappily.“I’mafraidthatIdon’tentirelyknow.”“YougaveSamuelmysword.”Richardtriedtokeeptheheatoutofhisvoice,

tokeep from lettinghis anger show,buthe feared that itwasn’tworkingverywell.“Iwarnedyouabouthisnature.Despitemywarning,youinsistedthathehaveit.Iwanttoknowwhatheisupto.WhereisChase?Howbadlyishehurt?AndwhereisRachel?”Shota’sbrowtwitched.“Rachel?”“Thegirlwithhim—thegirlheadopted.Thetwoofthemwereontheirway

back toWestland.Chasewasgoing tobringhis familyback to theKeep.Youmeantosaythatthegirlwasn’tthere,withhim?”“Ifoundhimgravelyinjured.”For thefirst time,Shotalookeddisconcerted.

“Therewasnogirlwithhim.”AshewatchedRikkatakethereinstothetwohorsesandpullthemtowardthe

paddock,Richardtriedtoimaginewhatwasgoingon,whyRachelhadn’tstayedwithChase.Heworriedaboutthepossiblereasons,worriedforwhatmighthavehappened to Rachel.Knowing how resourceful and devoted shewas, Richardwonderedifshehadgoneforhelpandwasnowwanderingaroundallbyherself.Anotherthoughtstruckhim.“Andhowwasitthatyoujusthappenedtocome

acrossChase?”Shotawetherlips.Shelookedreluctanttosaysomethingobviouslydistasteful

toher,butfinallyshedid.“IwashuntingSamuel.”Surprised,RichardglancedatNicci.Herexpressionshowednoreactionand

her features appeared so absolutely devoid of emotion that for an instant itremindedRichardofasimilarlookhehadfromtimetotimeseenonKahlan.AConfessor’s face, she had called it. Confessors would occasionally shed allemotioninordertodotheterriblethingsthatwereattimesnecessary.“How is Chase?” Richard asked, considerably quieter. He wanted to know

whyShotawashuntingSamuel,butat themoment thereweremore importantworriesweighingonhismind.“Ishegoingtobeallright?”“Ibelieveso,”Shotasaid.“He’dbeenrunthroughwithasword—”

“Withmysword.”Shota didn’t argue the distinction. “I’m not a healer, but I do have certain

abilitiesandIwasabletoatleastreversehisjourneytowarddeath.Ifoundsomepeoplewhocouldcareforhimandhelphimrecover.Ibelieveheissafeforthetimebeing.Itwillbeawhilebeforeheisonhisfeetagain.”“Andwhydidn’tSamuelkillhim?”Caraaskedfromthetopstep.“HestabbedTovithesameway,”Niccisaid.“Hedidn’tkillher,either.”“Samueliscertainlycapableofmurder,”Richardpointedout.Shota claspedher hands before herself. “Samuel apparently couldn’tmuster

thecouragetokillwiththesword.Hehasdonesointhepast—whentheswordwashisbefore—andsoheknowsthepainitcauseswhenitisusedtokill.”Shearched an eyebrow at Richard. “I’m sure you know well what I’m talkingabout.”“It’saweaponthatdoesnotbelonginthewronghands,”Richardsaid.;Shota

ignoredRichard’sgibeandwenton.“Hisisthewayofacoward.Acowardwilloftenleavethepersontodieontheirown,awayfromhisSight.”“They suffer all the more that way,” Zedd pointed out. “It’s more cruel.

Perhapsthatwashisreason.”Thewitchwomanshookherhead.“Samuel isacowardandanopportunist;

his goal is not cruelty but rather is entirely self-centered. Cowards don’tnecessarilythinkthingsout.Theyactonwhim.Theywantwhattheywantwhentheywantit.“Samuel will rarely bother to consider the consequences of his actions; he

simply snatches something when he sees an opportunity, when he seessomethinghedesires.Heshrinksfromthepainitwouldcausehimtokillwiththeswordandsohefailstocompletethekillingheinitiatedonimpulse.Ifthepersonhe injures suffers an agonizing and prolonged end, it doesn’tmatter toSamuelbecauseheisn’taroundtowitnessit.Outofsight,outofmind.ThatwaswhathedidtoChase.”“And you gave him the sword,”Richard said, unable to disguise his anger.

“Youknewwhathewaslikeandyoustillmadeitpossibleforhimtodothis.”Shotaregardedhimamomentbeforeanswering.“That’snotthewayitwas,

Richard.IgavehimtheswordbecauseI thoughtitwouldmakehimcontent.Ibelievedthathewouldbesatisfiedtohaveitbackinhispossession.Ithoughtitwouldmellow his lingering resentment at having the sword so abruptly takenfromhim.”ShotacastabriefbutmurderouslookatZedd.“So, you didn’t consider the consequences of your actions,” Richard said.

“Yousimplywantedwhatyouwantedwhenyouwantedit.”Shota’sgazeslidbacktoRichard.“Afterallthistime,andeverythingthathas

happened,youarestillasflippantasever?”Richardwasn’tinamoodtoapologize.“I’m afraid that there ismore to this,” Shota said, somewhat less heatedly,

“morethanIrealizedatthetime.”Zedd rubbed his chin as he considered the situation. “Samuel must have

stabbedChaseandthenkidnappedRachel.”RichardwassurprisedbyZedd’ssuggestion;hehadn’tthoughtofthat.Hehad

assumedthatRachelhadgonetofindhelp.HeturnedafrownonShota.“WhywouldSamueldosuchathing?”“I’mafraidthatIdon’thaveanyidea.”ShotalookedupatNicci,stillstanding

at the top of the granite steps. “Who is thiswomanyou say he stabbed?ThisTovi?”“ShewasaSisteroftheDark.Anditisnoidleaccusation.Tovididn’tknow

the person who stabbed her, didn’t know who Samuel was, but she certainlyknew theSwordofTruth; shewasonceoneofRichard’s teachersback at thePalaceoftheProphets.JustbeforeshediedshetoldmehowsheandthreeotherSisters of the Dark had ignited a Chainfire spell around Kahlan to makeeveryoneforgether.TheythenusedKahlantostealtheboxesofOrdenfromthePeople’sPalace.”Shota’sbrowcreased.Shelookedtrulyperplexed.“TheboxesofOrdenareinplay,”Richardadded.Shotaflickedahanddismissivelyasshestaredoff in thought.“ThatmuchI

havecometoknow.ButIdidnotknowhowitcametobe.”Richard wondered how much more of the story she knew, but he told it

anyway. “Toviwas taking one of the boxes ofOrden away from the People’sPalace, inD’Hara,whenSamuel jumped her, ran her throughwith the sword,andthenstoletheboxshewascarrying.”Shotaagainlookedsurprised,butthelookwasquicklybanishedbyquietfury

asshesilentlyconsideredwhatshe’dbeentold.“I’veknownChasemywholelife,”Richardsaid.“Whileanyonecanmakea

mistake,I’veneverknownhimtobecaughtoffguardbysomeonelyinginwait.Ican’timaginethatSistersoftheDarkaremucheasiertoambush.Giftedpeopleoftheirleveloftalentandabilityhaveasenseofpeoplebeingaroundthem.”Shotalookedupathim.“Yourpoint?”“SamuelwassomehowabletosurpriseaSisteroftheDark,andaboundary

warden.” Richard folded his arms across his chest. “What’smore, every time

Samuel tries to accomplish something evil you always act all surprised anddisavow any knowledge of what he was up to. What’s your part in all this,Shota?”“None.Ihadnoideaofwhathewasupto.”“Unlikeyoutobesoignorant.”Hercheeksmantled.“Youdon’tknowthehalfofit.”Shefinallyturnedaway

fromhimandheadedforthesteps.“Itoldyou,wehavemuchtotalkabout.”Richardcaughtherarm,turningherback.“Didyouhaveanythingtodowith

Samuel being able to sneak up onChase or surprise Tovi and steal that box?OtherthanprovidinghimwiththeweapontoaccomplishthedeedandnodoubttellinghimallaboutthepowertheboxesofOrdencontain,Imean.”Shesearchedhiseyesforatime.“Doyouwishtokillme,Richard?”“Killyou?Shota,I’vebeenthebestfriendyou’veeverhad.”“Thenyouwillputyourangerasideandlistentowhatwehavecometotell

you.”Shepulledawayfromthegriponherarmandagainstartedforthesteps.“Let’sgetinsideandoutofthisfoulweather.”Richard glanced to the blue sky. “The weather is beautiful,” he said as he

watchedherascendthesteps.AtthetopshehaltedtoshareabriefglarewithNiccibeforeturningtolook

down atRichard. Itwas the kind of haunting, timeless, troubling look that heimaginedonlyawitchwomancouldconjure.“Notinmyworld,”shesaidinanearwhisper.“Inmyworldit’sraining.”

Chapter11Shota glided down the steps to stand before the fountain. The diaphanous

fabricofthedressthatcoveredherstatuesqueformmovedeversoslightly,asifin a gentle breeze. The gushing, cascading, effervescent waters danced andsparkled in the light from the skylights far above, putting on an exhilaratingperformanceforthegatheredaudience.Shotastaredabsentlyatitforamoment,as if preoccupiedwith her own private thoughts, and then turned to the smallcrowd waiting just inside the huge double doors. They all stood silently,watchingher,asifawaitingaqueen’spronouncement.Behind Shota, the water in the fountain sprayed high into the air. The

exuberantsurgeofsprayabruptlystopped.Thelastofthewater,stillrisingjustbeforetheflowhadcutoff,reacheditszenith,adyingliquidarc,andfellbackasif slain.Thedozensofuniformstreamsofwateroverflowing thedown-turnedpointsinthetiersofbowls,asifembarrassedbytheirfrothyfrolic,slowedtoastopandfinallyfellsilent.Zeddsteppedtothebrinkofthesteps,aforbiddinglooksettlingintothelines

ofhisface.Ashehalted,theswirlofhissimplerobesgatheredaroundhislegs.AtthatmomentitstruckRichardthathisgrandfatherlookedverymuchlikewhohewas:theFirstWizard.IfRichardhadthoughtthatNicciandShotahadlookeddangerous, he realized that Zedd was no less so. At that moment he was athundercloudharboringhiddenlightning.“I’llnothaveyoutamperingwithanythinginthisplace.Iindulgeyoubecause

youhavecomehereforreasonsthatmaysomehowbeimportanttousall,butmyleniencywillnottolerateyourmeddlingwithanythinghere.”Shotaflickedahand,dismissinghiswarning.“Iassumedthatyouwouldnot

acquiescetomegoinganyfartherthanthisroom.Thefountainisnoisy.Idon’twantRichardtofailtohearanythingIorJebrahastosay.”She lifted an arm toward Ann, standing beside Nathan, watching, almost

unseeninthedeepshadowsofthebalconyandsoaringredpillars.“Itisamatterthathasbeenclosetoyourheartforhalfofyourlife,Prelate.”“I am no longer Prelate,” Ann said in a quietly commanding voice that

soundedverymuchasifshestillwere.“Whywere you hunting Samuel?”Cara asked, drawing thewitchwoman’s

attention.“Because he was not supposed to have left my valley in Agaden Reach.

Moreover, he should not have been able to do so without my expressedpermission.”“Andyethedid,”Richardsaid.

Shotanodded.“SoIwentlookingforhim.”Richardclaspedhishandsbehindhisback.“Howisit,Shota,thatyouweren’t

awarethatSamuelwasgoingtoleaveyou?Imean,consideringyourpower,vastknowledge, and all that business you’ve explained to me about how a witchwomancanseethewaythateventsflowforwardintime.Forthatmatter,howwasheabletodosowithoutyourconsent?”Shotadidnotshrinkfromthequestion.“Thereisonlyoneway.”Richard bit back the sarcastic remark that came tomind and instead asked,

“Andwhatwouldthatbe?”“Samuelhasbeenbewitched.”Richardwasn’tsurethathe’dheardhercorrectly.“Bewitched.Butyou’rethe

witchwoman.You’retheonewhodoesthebewitching.”Shotaclaspedherhands, lookingdownat the floor amoment as she folded

herfingerstogether.“Hewasbewitchedbyanother.”Richarddescendedthefivesteps.“Anotherwitchwoman?”“Yes.”Richard took a deep breath as he glanced around to see the others sharing

troubled looks.Nooneappeared inclined to ask, sohedid. “Youmean to saythatthereisanotherwitchwomanaround,andshebewitchedSamuelawayfromyou?”“IthoughtthatIhadmadethatperfectlyclear.”“Well…whereisshe?”“Ihaveno idea.Certain issues in the flowof timearemybusiness—Ihave

seen to it. For me to be this blind to events that eddy so tightly throughmypurview can only mean that another witch woman has deliberately occultedthoseflowsfromme.”Richardstuffedhishandsinhisbackpocketsashetriedtoreasonitout.He

pacedbrieflybeforeturningbacktoher.“Maybe it wasn’t a witch woman. Maybe it was a Sister of the Dark or

someonelikethat.Agiftedperson.Maybeevenawizard.Jaganghasthose,too.”“Tomanipulate awitchwoman in an insignificantway is far from an easy

task.”SheshotabriefglareupatZedd.“Askyourgrandfather.”Shota gestured around at some of the people in the room before her gaze

returned to Richard. “A gifted person, even such as these, no matter howtalented,couldnotbegintoachieveadeceptionascomprehensiveasthisonehasbeen. Only another witch woman could slip herself unseen into my domain.Only another witch woman could draw a shroud over my vision and thenbewitchSamuelintodoingwhathehasdone.”

“If your vision is shrouded,” Cara asked, “how can you be so certain thatSamuelhasbeenbewitched?Maybehewasactingonhisown.FromwhatI’veseen of him, he needs no mysterious enchantress to coax him into impulsivebehavior.Heseemedplentytreacherousallonhisown.”Shotaslowlyshookherhead.“Youhaveonlytolookatwhatyou’vetoldme

to see that this involves not simply cunning but knowledge beyond Samuel’sability.ASisteroftheDarkwasattacked;aboxofOrdenwasstolenfromher.Inthe first place, how would Samuel be aware that this woman had anythingvaluable? I didn’t know of her myself because that is part of what has beenhiddenfromme,soIcouldn’thave toldhim—notevenabsently,carelessly,orinadvertently,whichiswhatyou’rethinking.So,Samueldidn’tlearnofitfromme.IfhehappenedacrossatreasureofsomesortthereisnodoubtthatSamuelisfullycapableofdoingwhateverhecouldtosnatchit,thatmuchIconcede.”“YoumeanthewayheacquiredtheSwordofTruthinthefirstplace?”Zedd

asked.Shotamethisgazebrieflybutchosetoreturntothematterathandratherthan

confrontthechallenge.“Secondly,howwouldSamuelknowwherehecouldfindaSistercarryingaboxofOrden?Youcan’tseriouslymeantosuggestthatyouthink he simply was wandering around—way off in D’Hara—and by chancehappenedacrossthisverySisteroftheDark,stabbedher,androbbedherofwhatshewascarryingonlytohaveitturnouttobeoneoftheboxesofOrden?”“Ihavetoadmit,”Richardsaid,“Ineverhavemuchbelievedincoincidence.

Itcertainlydoesn’tseemplausibleinthiscase,either.”“Mythoughts,exactly,”Shotasaid.“Andthenthere’sChase.Duetohisgrave

conditionIwasn’tabletolearnmuchfromhim,butIwasabletodiscoverthathe had been ambushed. Another coincidence—Samuel happening across andrandomlyattackingsomeoneanditjusthappenstobesomeoneelseyouknow?Ihardlythinkso.ThatleavesthequestionofwhySamuelwouldbelyinginwaitforamanyouknow.Whywouldheattackhim?WhatthingofvaluedidChasehave?”“Rachel,”Zeddansweredashestaredoff,rubbinghischininthought.“But what would he want with a girl?” Cara asked. When several people

glancedherwaywithtroubledlooks,sheadded,“Imean,thatgirlinparticular?”“Idon’tknow,”Shotasaid.“Andthat’stheproblem.AsI’vesaid,theevents

surrounding all of this are blocked tome, but blocked in a way that I didn’trecognize, so Iwasunaware that anythingwasbeinghidden. It’s obvious thatthere is a hand directing Samuel. That hand could only be another witchwoman’s.”

“Do you know her?” Richard asked. “Do you knowwho it is, or who shemightbe?”Shotaregardedhimwithasforbiddingalookashehadeverseengracesuch

femininefeatures.“Sheisacompletemysterytome.”“Wheredidshecomefrom?Doyouhaveanyideaaboutthatmuchofit?”Shota’sscowlonlydarkened.“Oh,IthinkIdo.Ibelieveshecameupfromthe

Old World. When you destroyed the great barrier several years back she nodoubtsawanopportunityandmovedintomyterritory—inmuchthesamewaythat the Imperial Order saw an opportunity to invade and conquer the NewWorld.BybewitchingSamuel she is sending amessage that she is takingmyplace,takingwhatismine—includingmyterritory—asherown.”RichardturnedtowardAnn,offatthesideoftheanteroom.“Doyouknowof

awitchwomanintheOldWorld?”“IranthePalaceoftheProphets,guidingyoungwizardsandawholepalace

fullofSisterstowardthewayoftheLight.Ipaidgreatheedtoprophecyinthattaskbut,otherthanprophecy,Ididn’treallyinvolvemyselfinthegoings-onintheresttheOldWorld.FromtimetotimeIheardvaguerumorsofwitchwomen,butnothingmorethanrumors.Ifshewasreal,sheneverstuckherheadupformetoknowofher.”“Ineverknewanythingofawitchwoman,either,”Nathanaddedwithasigh.

“Ineverevenheardtherumorsofsuchawoman.”Shotafoldedherarms.“We’rearathersecretivelot.”Richard wished he knew more about such things—although knowing one

witchwoman had proven onmore than one occasion to be trouble enough. Itseemedthattheremightnowbetwicethetrouble.“HernameisSix,”Niccisaidintothequietanteroom.Everyoneturnedtostareather.Shota’sbrowdrewdown.“Whatdidyousay?”“ThewitchwomandownintheOldWorld.HernameisSix,likethenumber.”

Nicci’sexpressionhadthatcoolabsenceofemotionagain,herfeaturesasstillasawoodlandpondatdawnafterthefirsthardfreezeoftheseason.“Inevermether,buttheSistersoftheDarkspokeofherinhushedtones.”“ItwouldbethoseSisters,”Anngrumbled.Shota’s arms slowlydropped to her sides as she took a step away from the

fountain,towardwhereNiccistoodontheexpanseofmarbleflooratthetopofthesteps.“Whatdoyouknowofher?”“Nothingmuch.I’veonlyheardhername,Six.Ionlyrememberitbecauseit

was unusual. Some of my superiors at the time—my Sisters of the Dark

superiors—apparentlydidknowher.Iheardhernamementionedseveraltimes.”Shota’scountenancehadturnedasdarkanddangerousasthatofaviperwith

itsfangsbared.“WhatwereSistersoftheDarkdoingwithawitchwoman?”“Idon’treallyknow,”Niccisaid.“Theymayhavehaddealingswithher,but

if theydidIneverknewaboutit.Iwasn’talwaysincludedintheirschemes.Itmaybethattheyonlyknewofher.It’spossibletheyneverevenmether.”“Orit’spossiblethattheyknewherwell.”Nicci shrugged. “Maybe. You’d have to ask them. I suggest you hurry—

Samuelhasalreadykilledoneofthem.”Shota ignored the taunt and turned away to stare into the stillwatersof the

fountain.“Youmusthaveheardthemsaysomethingabouther.”“Nothingveryspecific,”Niccisaid.“Well,” Shota said with exaggerated patience as she turned back around,

“whatwasthegeneralnatureofwhattheyweresayingabouther?”“Ionlygotasenseoftwothings.Iheardthatthewitch,Six,livedfartothe

south.TheSistersmentionedthatshelivedmuchdeeperdownintheOldWorld,in some of the trackless forests and swampland.” Nicci gazed resolutely intoShota’seyes.“Andtheywereafraidofher.”Shotafoldedherarmsacrossherbreastsagain.“Afraidofher,”sherepeated

inaflattone.“Terrified.”ShotaappraisedNicci’seyesforatimebeforefinallyyetagainturningtostare

intothefountain,asifhopingtoseesomesecretrevealedintheplacidwaters.“There’snothingtosaythatit’sthesamewoman,”Richardsaid.“There’sno

evidencetosaythatit’sthiswitchwoman,Six,fromtheOldWorld.”Shota glanced back over her shoulder. “You, of all people, suggest that it’s

merecoincidence?”Hergazeagainsoughtsolaceinthewaters.“Itdoesn’treallymatterifitisornot.Itmattersonlythatitisawitchwomanandsheisbentoncausingmetrouble.”RichardsteppedclosertoShota.“Ifinditprettyhardtobelievethatthisother

witchwomanwouldhavebewitchedSamuelawayfromyoujusttoshowyouupandhavewhat’syours.Therehastobemoretoit.”“Maybe it’s a challenge,”Cara said. “Maybe she is daringyou to comeout

andfight.”“Thatwouldrequireher tomakeherselfknown,”Shotasaid.“Shehasdone

justtheopposite.SheisdeliberateandcalculatingaboutremainingconcealedsothatIcan’tfighther.”Asheconsidered,Richardrestedabootonthemarblebenchsurroundingthe

fountain.“Istillsaytherehastobesomethingmoretothis.HavingSamuelstealoneoftheboxesofOrdenhasdarkerimplications.”“Themore likely answer points to none other than your own hand, Shota.”

Zedd’s words drew everyone’s attention. “This soundsmore like one of yourgranddeceptions.”“I can understandwhy youwould think so, but if that were true thenwhy

wouldIcomeheretotellyouofit?”Zedd’s glare didn’t falter. “To make yourself look innocent when you are

reallytheoneintheshadowsdirectingevents.”Shota rolledher eyes. “Idon’thave time for suchchildishgames,wizard. I

havenotbeendirectingSamuel’shand.Mytimehasbeenspentonother,moreimportantmatters.”“Suchas?”“IhavebeentoGalea.”“Galea!” Zedd snorted his disbelief. “What business would you have in

Galea?”Jebra laid a hand on Zedd’s shoulder. “She came to rescue me. I was in

Ebinissia,caughtup in the invasionand thenenslaved.Shotapulledmeoutofthemiddleofit.”ZeddturnedasuspiciouslookonShota.“YouwenttothecrowncityofGalea

torescueJebra?”ShotaglancedbrieflyatRichard,acloudedlookladenwithmeaning.“Itwas

necessary.”“Why?”Zeddpressed. “I’m relieved tohave Jebraat last rescued from that

horror, of course, but what exactly do you mean when you say that it wasnecessary?”Shota caught a diaphanous point of the material making up her dress as it

liftedeversogentlyupward,likeacatarchingitsback,cravingagentlestrokefromitsmistress’shand.“Eventsmarchonwardtowardagrimconclusion.Ifthecourseofthoseeventsdoesnotchangethenwewillbedoomedtotheruleoftheinvaders,boundtothemandateofpeoplewhoseconviction,amongotherthings,isthatmagicisanevilcorruptionthatmustbeeradicatedfromtheworld.Theybelieve that mankind is a sinful and corrupt being who should properly beunremarkableandhelplessinthefaceofthealmightyspectacleofnature.Thoseof us who possess magic, precisely because we are not unremarkable andhelpless,willallbehunteddownanddestroyed.”Shota’s gaze passed among those watching her. “But that is merely our

personaltragedy,notthetruescourgeoftheOrder.

“If thecourseofeventsdoesnotchange, thenthemonstrousbeliefs that theOrderimposeswillsettlelikeaburialshroudovertheentireworld.Therewillbenosafeplace,norefuge.Anironmandateofconformitywillbelockedaroundthenecksofallthoseleftalive.Forthedelusionofthecommonwelfare,intheform of lofty slogans and vacuous notions that incite the feckless rabble intonothingmorethanamindlesslustfortheunearned,everythinggoodandnoblewill be sacrificed, deadening civilizedman into little more than an organizedmoboflooters.“Butonceeverythingofvalueisplundered,whatwillbeleftoftheirlives?By

theircontemptforthemagnificentanddisdainofallthatisgood,theyembracethepettyandthecrude.Bytheirrabidhatredforanymanwhoexcels,thebeliefsoftheOrderwilldoomallmentogrubbinginthemucktosurvive.“The unwavering view of mankind’s inherent wickedness will be the

collectivefaith.Thatbelief,enforcedthroughruthlessbrutalityandunspeakablehardship,willbetheirenduringhigh-watermark.Theirlegacywillbemankind’sdescentintoadarkageofsufferingandmiseryfromwhichitmayneveragainemerge.ThatistheterroroftheOrder—notdeath,butlifeundertheirbeliefs.”Shota’swords cast a pall over the room. “Thedead, after all, can’t feel, can’tsuffer.Onlythelivingcan.”Shota turned to the shadows, where Nathan stood. “And what say you,

prophet?Doesprophecysayitotherwise,ordoIspeakthetruth?”Nathan, tallandgrim,answeredquietly.“As faras the ImperialOrdergoes,

I’mafraidthatprophecycanoffernotestimonytothecontrary.Youhaveaptlyandsuccinctlydescribedseveralthousandyearsofforewarning.”“Such ancient works are not easily understood,” Ann cut in. “The written

wordcanbequiteambiguous.Prophecy isnotasubject for the inexperienced.Totheuntraineditcanseem—”“Isincerelyhopethatisajudgmentbasedonashallowopinionofmylooks,

Prelate,andnotmytalent.”“Iwasonly…”Annbegan.Shota dismissively flicked a hand as she turned away. Her gaze settled on

Richard,asifheweretheonlyoneintheroom.Shespokeasifaddressinghimalone.“Ourlivesmaybethelastliveslivedfree.Thismayverywellbetheendfor

alltimeofthebestofwhatcanbe,ofstrivingforvalues,ofthepotentialforeachofus to riseupandachievesomethingbetter. If thecourseofeventsdoesnotchange,thenwearenowwitnessingthedawnoftheworstofwhatcanbe,ofanagewhere,lestanyonedarelivebetterthroughtheirowneffortandfortheirown

ends,mankindwillbe reduced to living theOrder’s idealized livesof ignorantsavages.”“We all know that,” Richard said, hands fisted at his sides. “Don’t you

understandhowhardwe’vebeenfightingtopreventthatverything?Don’tyouhave any idea of the strugglewe’ve all endured? Justwhat do you think I’vebeenfightingfor?”“Idon’tknow,Richard.Youclaimtobecommitted,andyetyouhavefailedto

change thecourseofevents, failed tostemthe tideof the ImperialOrder.Yousaythatyouunderstand,yetstilltheinvaderscome,subjugatingmoreandmorepeoplewitheverypassingday.“But even that is not what this is about. It is about the future. And in the

future,youarefailingus.”Richardcouldhardlybelievewhathewashearing.Hewasn’t justangrybut

appalledthatShotawouldsaysuchathing.Itwasasifeverythinghehaddone,every sacrifice he had made, every effort, was meaningless to her—not onlynow,butinthefuture.“YouhavecometotellmeyourprophecythatIwillfail?”“No. Ihavecome to tellyou that theway itnowstands,unlessyouchange

things,wewillallfailinthisfight.”Shota turned from Richard and lifted an arm up toward Nicci. “You have

shownhimthedull,numbdeaththatisallthatcanresultfromthebeliefsheldbytheOrder.Youhaveshownhimthebleakexistencethatisallthereisundertheirdogma,thatlife’sonlyvalueisinhowmuchofityousacrifice,thatyourlife’sonlypurpose is ameans to anotherworldly end: a lifeless eternity in thenextworld.“Inthat,youhavedoneusallagreatserviceandyouhaveourgratitude.You

havetrulyfulfilledyourroleasRichard’steacher,evenifitwasnotinthewayyouhadexpected.Butthat,too,isonlyapartofit.”Richarddidn’tseehowhiscaptivity—beingmadetoliveaharshlifedownin

theOldWorld—couldberegardedasaservice.Hehadn’tneededtolivethroughittounderstandthehopelessfutilityoflifeundertheruleoftheImperialOrder.Hedidn’tdisputeonewordShotahadsaidaboutwhatwouldbefallthemiftheydidn’t prevail, but hewas angered that she seemed to think that he needed tohear itagain,as ifhedidnotgraspwhat theywerefightingforandasaresultwasfailingtobefullycommittedtotheircause.Richarddidn’tknowhowithappened,becausehehadnotseenhermove,but

Shotawassuddenlyrightbeforehim,herfacemereinchesfromhis.“Andyet,youarestillnotcognizantofthetotalityofit,stillnotresolvedina

waythatisessential.”Richardglaredather.“Notresolved?Whatareyoutalkingabout?”“Ineededtofindawaytomakeyouunderstand,Seeker,tomakeyouseethe

reality of it. I needed to find away tomake you seewhat is in store for thepeopleofnotjust theNewWorld,buttheOldWorldaswell—whatis instoreforallofmankind.”“HowcouldyoupossiblythinkthatI—”“You are the one, Richard Rahl. You are the onewho leads the last of the

forcesthatresisttheideasthatfueltheconflagrationthatistheImperialOrder.Forwhatever reasons,youare theonewho leadsus in this struggle.Youmaybelieveinwhatyoufightfor,butyouarenotdoingwhatisnecessarytochangethecourseof thewaror elsewhat I see in the flowof events forward in timewouldnotbeasitis.“Asitnowstands,wearedoomed.“Youneedtohearwhatisgoingtobethefateofyourpeople,thefateofall

people.SoIwenttoGaleatofindJebrasothatshecouldtellyouwhatshehasseen.SothataSeercanhelpyoutosee.”Richardthoughtthatmaybeheshouldhavebeenangryatthelecture,buthe

couldnolongersummonanger;itwasslippingaway.“Ialreadyknowwhatwillhappen if we fail, Shota. I already know what the Imperial Order is like. Ialreadyknowwhatawaitsusifweloseinthisstruggle.”Shota shookherhead.“Youknowwhat it is likeafter.Youknowwhat it is

liketoseethedead.Butthedeadcannolongerfeel.Thedeadcan’tscream.Thedeadcan’tcryinterror.Thedeadcan’tbegformercy.“Youknowwhat it is like to see thewreckage themorning after the storm.

Youneed tohear fromonewhowas therewhen thestormbroke.Youneed tohearwhatitwaslikewhenthelegionscame.Youneedtoheartherealityofwhatitwillbelikeforeveryone.Youneedtoknowwhatwillhappentothosealiveifyoufailtodowhatonlyyoucando.”RichardglancedupatJebra.Zedd’scomfortingarmencircledhershoulders.

Tearsrandownherashenface.Shetrembledfromheadtotoe.“Dearspirits,”Richardwhispered,“howcanyoubesocruelastothinkforan

instantthatIdon’talreadyknowthetruthofourfateshouldwelose?”“Iseetheflowofthefutureinthis,”Shotasaidinaquietvoicemeantforhim

alone.“AndwhatIseeisthatyouhavenotdoneenoughtochangewhatwillbe,or else itwould not be as I see it. It is as simple as that. There is no crueltyinvolved,simplytruth.”“Justwhatisityouexpectmetodo,Shota?”

“Idon’tknow,Richard.Butwhateveritis,youarenotdoingit,now,areyou?Asweallslideintounimaginablehorror,youaredoingnothingtostopit.Youareinsteadchasingphantoms.”

Chapter12RichardwantedtotellShotaathousandthings.Hewantedtotellherthatthe

ImperialOrderwashardlytheonlythreatbearingdownonthem.Hewantedtotell her thatwith theboxesofOrden inplay, if not stopped, theSistersof theDark would unleash power that would destroy the world of life and giveeveryoneovertotheKeeperoftheDead.Hewantedtotellherthatiftheydidn’tfindawaytoreversetheChainfirespellitcouldverywellreapthedestructionofeveryone’smemoriesandminds,robbingthemoftheirmeansofsurvival.Hewanted to tell her that if they didn’t find a way to purge the world of thecontaminationleftbythechimes,thenallmagicwouldbeextinguished,andthatcontaminationcouldverywellhavealreadyengenderedacascadeeffectthat,ifnothalted,hadthepotential,allbyitself,todestroyalllife.Hewantedtotellherthatshedidn’tknowthefirstthingaboutthewomanhe

loved,thewomansodeartohim.HewantedtotellherhowmuchKahlanmeanttohim,howafraidhewasforher,howmuchhemissedher,howhisdreadofwhatwasbeingdonetoherkepthimfrombeingabletosleep.HewantedtotellherthatrightthentheImperialOrderwasonlyoneoftheir

direproblems.But,seeingJebrastandingtheretremblingunderthecomfortingshelterofZedd’sarm,hethoughtthattherewouldbeabettertimetobringupallofthoseothermatters.Richardheldoutahand,beckoningJebratocomeforward.Herskyblueeyes

brimmedwithtears.Shefinally,hesitantly,descendedthestepstowardhim.Hedidn’tknowthespecificsofthefrighteningthingsshehadbeenthrough,butthestrainofthemwaswrittenalltooclearlyonhergauntface.Thelinesthereboresilenttestimonytothehardshipsshehadendured.Whenshetookhishandhegentlycovereditwithhisotherinasmallgesture

ofreassurance.“You’vetraveledagreatdistanceandwevalueyourhelpinourefforts.Pleasetelluswhatyouknow.”Hershortsandyhairfellforwardaroundhertear-stainedfaceasshenodded.

“Iwilldomybest,LordRahl.”Under Shota’s watchful eye, Richard led Jebra across the floor toward the

fountain.Hehadhersitontheshortmarblewallcontainingthestilledwater.“YouwentwithQueenCyrillaback toherhome,”heprompted. “Youwere

taking care of her because shewas sick—driven insane by her time in the pitwith all those terriblemen.Youwere to help her to recover if she could andadviseherifshedid.”Jebranodded.“So…whenshe returned toherhomedid shebegin togetbetter?”Richard

asked,eventhoughheknewthatmuchofitfromKahlan.“Yes. Shewas in a stupor for so long thatwe thought shewould never get

better,butaftershewashomeforawhileshefinallydidstarttocomeround.Atfirst shewas only aware of those around her for brief periods. Themore sherecognized familiar surroundings, though, the longer those periods of claritygrew.Slowly,toeveryone’sjoy,sheseemedtocomebacktolife.Sheeventuallyemergedfromherlonglethargy—likeananimalcomingoutofhibernation.Sheseemedtoshakeoffherlongsleepandreturntonormal.Shewasfullofenergy,fullofexcitementtobehomeagain.”“QueenCyrillawasthequeenofGalea,”ShotasaidtoRichard.“Sheinherited

thecrown,ratherthan—”“Prince Harold,” Richard finished as he looked up at the witch woman.

“Cyrilla’sbrotherwasHarold.Harolddeclinedthecrown,preferringtoleadtheGaleanarmy.”Shota arched an eyebrow. “You seem to know a lot about themonarchy of

Galea.”“Their father was King Wyborn,” Richard said. “King Wyborn was also

Kahlan’s father.Kahlan is half sister to Cyrilla. That is the reason I know somuchaboutthemonarchyofGalea.”IfShotawassurprisedtohearit,orifshedidn’tbelievehimbecauseKahlan

was involved, shedidn’t betray either.She finally broke eye contactwithhimandwentbacktoherpacing,allowingJebratocontinueherstory.“Cyrilla resumedher place on the thrown as if she had never left. The city

seemedexhilaratedtohaveherback.GaleahadbeenstrugglinginitsrecoveryfromthehorrifyingtimethattheadvancearmyoftheImperialOrderhadsackedthecrowncity.Thatattackhadbeenamassivetragedywithtremendouslossoflife.“Butwith those invaders long gone the repairs of the destruction had been

underway forquite some time.Even theburnedbuildingswerebeing rebuilt.Businesses had started up again. Commerce had returned. People once againcame to the city from all over Galea to make a better life for themselves.Familieshadbeguntogrowandknittogetheragain.Withhardwork,prosperityhadbeguntoreturn.Withthequeenback,itseemedtoinvigoratethespiritofthecityallthemore,andmaketheworldseemrightagain.“People said that lessons had been learned and such a tragedywould never

happen again.To that end, newdefenseswerebuilt, alongwith amuch largerarmy.Cyrilla, likemanyofthepeopleofGalea,putthatappallingtimebehindherandwaseagertobeaboutthebusinessofherland.Sheacceptedaudiences

andkeptherhandinmanyofthemattersofstate.Shekeptherselfimmersedinevery sort of activity, frommediating trade disputes to attending formal ballswhereshedancedwithdignitaries.“PrinceHarold,beingtheheadoftheGaleanarmy,keptherinformedofthe

latestnewsabouttheinvasionoftheNewWorld,soshewasfullyawarethatthehorde was pouring into the southern reaches of theMidlands. I always knewwhen she had received the latest reports; I would find her twisting herhandkerchief, mumbling to herself, as she paced in a dark room withoutwindows.Italmostseemedtomethatshewasseekingthedarkhidingplaceinhermind—thestuporshehadbeeninbefore—butshecouldn’tfindit,couldn’tgetbackintoit.”Jebragesturedbrieflyupthestepstotheoldmanwatchingherspeak.“Zedd

toldmetowatchoverher,togiveherwhatadviceIcould.Eventhoughshemayhaveoutwardlyappeared tobeherold self, and shedidn’t lapseback into thewoodendaze,Icouldtellthatsheremainedontheedgeofinsanity.Myvisionswere unclear, probably because of that, because while she may have seemednormalagain,shewasstillinwardlyhauntedbyterriblefears.Itwasmuchlikethe land ofGalea; things appeared normal but,with the ImperialOrder in theNewWorld, thingswere hardly normal. Therewas always a dark, underlyingtension.“WhenweheardfromthescoutsthattheOrderwasmovinguptheCallisidrin

Valley,comingupthecenteroftheMidlandsintentondividingtheNewWorld,IadvisedthequeenthatshemustsupporttheD’Haranarmy,thatshemustsendtheGaleanarmytofightwiththerestoftheforcesofallthelandsthathadbeenjoinedtogetherwiththeD’HaranEmpire.Itriedtotellher,asdidPrinceHarold,thatouronlychanceatarealdefensewasinunitywiththeforcesresistingtheOrder.“Shewouldnothearofit.ShesaidthatitwasherdutyasthequeenofGalea

toprotectGaleaalone,nototherpeoplesorotherlands.Itriedtomakeherseethat if Galea stood alone then it stood no chance. Cyrilla, though, had heardstories of other places that had been invaded, stories of the Order’s ruthlessbrutality.ShewasterrifiedofthemenoftheOrder.ItoldherthatshewouldbesafeonlyifwehelpedstoptheinvadersbeforetheyeverreachedGalea.“We received desperate requests for troops. Ignoring those requests,Cyrilla

insteadcommandedPrinceHaroldtogatherallthemenhecouldintoarmsandthatheusethearmytoprotectGalea.Shesaidthathisduty,thatthedutyoftheGalean army, was to Galea alone. She commanded that the invaders not beallowedtocrosstheborders,notbeallowedtosetfootonGaleansoil.

“PrinceHarold,who at first had tried to advise her of thewisest course ofaction,abandonedhisownadviceandinanactofpointless loyaltyaccededtoherwishes.Shecommanded that thedefensesbesetup toprotectGaleaatallcosts.PrinceHaroldwenttoseetoherinstructions.Shedidn’tcareiftherestoftheMidlands,ortheentireNewWorldforthatmatter,felltotheOrder,aslongastheGaleanarmy—”“Yes,yes.”Shota impatiently rolledahandas shepacedbefore thewoman.

“Weallknow thatQueenCyrillawas loony. Ididn’tbringyouall thisway todescribelifeunderabattyqueen.”“Sorry.”Illatease,Jebraclearedherthroatandwenton.“Well,Cyrillagrew

impatientwithme,withmyinsistentadvice.Shetoldmethatherdecisionwasfinal.“With her determined commitment to a course of action, it finally fixed

events, fixed our future and our fate. I think that for this reason Iwas at lastbesetwithapowerfulvision.Itstartednotwiththeactualvisionitself,butwithabloodcurdling sound that filled my mind. That terrible sound set me totrembling.Withthefrighteningsoundthevisionscamefloodingforth,visionsofthedefendersbeingcrushedandoverrun,visionsof thecity falling,visionsofQueenCyrillabeinggiventothehowlinggangsofmentobe…tobeusedasawhoreandanobjectofamusement.”Onehandheldacrossherabdomen,herelbowstightagainsthersides,Jebra

wiped tears back off one cheek. She briefly smiled up at Richard, a self-conscioussmilethatcouldnotholdbackthehorrorhecouldsoclearlyseeinhereyes.“Ofcourse,”shesaid,“I’mnottellingyoualloftheterriblethingsIsawinthatvision.ButItoldher.”“Idon’texpectthatitdidanygood,”Richardsaid.“No,itdidn’t.”Jebrafidgetedwithastrandofherhair.“Cyrillawasenraged.

Shesummonedherroyalguard.Whentheyallrushedinthroughthosedouble,tallblueandgiltdoorsshethrustafingeratmeandproclaimedmeatraitor.Sheorderedmethrownintoadungeon.Thequeenscreamedorderstotheguardsasthey were seizing me that if I spoke even one word of my visions—myblasphemy,asshecalledit—thentheyweretocutoutmytongue.”A little laugh rattled out, a laugh incongruous with her trembling chin and

wrinkledbrow.Herwordscameout ina thinwhineofapology.“Ididn’twantmytonguecutout.”Zedd,havingmadehiswaydownthesteps,laidareassuringhandontheback

ofhershoulder.“Ofcoursenot,mydear,ofcoursenot.At thatpoint itwouldhavedoneyounogoodtohavepressedtheissue.Noonewouldexpectyouto

gobeyondwhatyoudid; itwouldhaveservednopurpose.Youdidyourbest;youshowedherthetruth.Shemadetheconsciouschoicetobeblindtoit.”Fussingwithherfingers,Jebranodded.“Iguessthatherinsanityneverreally

lefther.”“Those who are far from insane often act in an irrational manner. Don’t

excusesuchconsciousanddeliberateactionswithsoconvenientanexplanationas insanity.”When she gave him a puzzled look, Zedd opened his hands in agestureofpained frustrationatanolddilemmahehadseenall toooften.“Allsorts of people who strongly want to believe in something are frequentlyunwillingtoseethetruthnomatterhowobviousitis.Theymakethatchoice.”“Iguessso,”Jebrasaid.“Seems like, rather than heed the truth, she instead believed a lie that she

wantedtobelieve,”Richardsaid,rememberingpartof theWizard’sFirstRule,therulehehadlearnedfromhisgrandfather.“That’sright.”Zeddsweptanarmoutinagrimparodyofawizardgrantinga

wish. “She decidedwhat shewished to happen and then assumed that realitywouldbendtoherwishes.”Hisarmdropped.“Realitydoesn’tindulgewishes.”“So Queen Cyrilla was angry with Jebra for speaking the truth aloud, for

bringing it outwhere it could not be so easily overlooked and ignored,”Carasaid.“Andthenpunishedherfordoingso.”Zeddnoddedashis fingertipsgently rubbedJebra’sshoulder.Her tiredeyes

hadclosedunderhistouch.“Peoplewhoforwhateverreasondon’twanttoseethe truthcanbeacutelyhostile to itandshrill in theirdenunciationof it.Theyfrequently turn their venomous antagonism on whoever dares point out thattruth.”“Thathardlymakesthetruthvanish,”Richardsaid.Zedd shrugged with the straightforward simplicity he saw in it. “To those

seeking the truth, it’s amatter of simple, rational self-interest to always keeprealityinview.Truthisrootedinreality,afterall,nottheimagination.”Richardrestedtheheelofhishandonthehickoryhandleof theknifeathis

belt.Hemissedtheswordbeingathand,buthehadtradeditforinformationthateventuallyledhimtotheChainfirebookandthetruthofwhathadhappenedtoKahlan, so it hadbeenworth it.Still, he sorelymissed the swordandworriedoverwhatSamuelmightbeusingitfor.ThinkingoftheSwordofTruth,wonderingwhereitwas,Richardstaredoffat

nothing in particular. “Seems hard to fathom how people can turn away fromseeingwhatisintheirownbestinterest.”“Doesn’t it, though.” Zedd’s voice had changed from a tone of casual

conversationtothatthin,reedytonethattoldRichardtherewassomethingmoreonhismind.“Thereinliestheheartofit.”When Richard looked his way, Zedd’s gaze focused intently on him.

“Willfullyturningasidefromthetruthistreasontoone’sself.”Shota, arms folded, paused in her pacing to lean towardZedd. “Awizard’s

rule,wizard?”Zeddarchedaneyebrow.“Thetenth,actually.”ShotaturnedameaningfullookonRichard.“Wiseadvice.”Afterholdinghim

inthegripofthatirongazeforanuncomfortablylongtime,shewentbacktoherpacing.Richardimaginedthatshethoughthewasignoringthetruth—thetruthofthe

invadingarmyoftheImperialOrder.Hewasn’tintheleastbitignoringthetruth,hejustdidn’tknowwhatmoresheexpectedhecoulddotostopthem.IfwishesworkedhewouldalreadylongagohavebanishedthembacktotheOldWorld.Ifheonlyknewwhattodotostopthem,hewoulddoit,buthedidn’t.Itwasbadenough to know the horror that approached and feel helpless to stop it, but itinfuriatedhimthatShotaseemedtothinkhewassimplybeingobstinateinnotdoingsomethingaboutit—asifthesolutionwaswithinhisgrasp.He glanced up the steps at the statuesquewomanwatching him. Even in a

pinknightdress she lookednoble andwise.WhileRichardhadbeen raisedbypeoplewho encouragedhim todealwith things theway they reallywere, shehadbeenindoctrinatedbypeoplewhoweredrivenbythebeliefstaughtbytheOrder.Ittookaremarkableindividual,afteralifetimeofauthoritarianteachings,tobewillingtoseethetruth.Hegazedintoherblueeyesforalongmoment,wonderingifhewouldhave

hadhercourage…thecouragetograspthenatureandmagnitudeoftheterriblemistakesshehadmade,thecouragetothenembracethetruthandchange.Veryfewpeoplehadthatkindofcourage.Richardwonderedifshe,too,thoughtthathewasneglectingtheinvasionof

the ImperialOrder for irrational and selfish reasons.Hewondered if she, too,thoughtthathewasnotdoingsomethingvital thatwouldsaveinnocentpeoplefrom horrific suffering. He dearly hoped not. There were times when Nicci’ssupportseemedliketheonlythingthatgavehimthestrengthtogoon.HewonderedifsheexpectedhimtogiveuptryingtofindKahlaninorderto

turnhisfullattentiontotryingtosaveagreatmanymorelivesthanjustthatone,no matter how precious. Richard swallowed back the anguish; he knew thatKahlanherselfwouldhavemadethatdemand.Asmuchasshehadlovedhim—backwhensherememberedwhoshewas—Kahlanwouldnothavewantedhim

tocomeafterherifitmeantthathewouldhavetodosoattheexpenseoftryingtosavesomanymorepeoplewhowereinmortaldanger.Thethoughthehadjusthadsuddenlystruckhome:backwhensheknewwho

shewas…whohewas.Kahlancouldn’t lovehimanymore if shedidn’tknowwhoshewas,ifshedidn’tknowwhohewas.Hiskneeswentweak.“That’sthewayIsawit,”Jebrasaid,openinghereyesandseemingtocome

awakeasZeddwithdrewhiscomfortingtouch,“thatIhaddonemybesttoshowherthetruth.ButIdidn’tlikebeinginthatdungeon.Didn’tlikeitonebit.”“Sowhathappenedthen?”Zeddscratchedthehollowofhischeek.“Howlong

wereyoudowninthedungeon?”“Ilosttrackofthedays.Therewerenowindows,soafteratimeIdidn’teven

knowifitwasdayornight.Ididn’tknowwhentheseasonschanged,butIknewthatIhadbeentherelongenoughforthemtocomeandgo.Ibegantolosehope.“They fed me—never enough to be satisfied, but well enough to keep me

alive.Everyonceinagreatwhiletheyleftacandleburninginthedingycentralroombeyondthe irondoor.Theguardsweren’tdeliberatelycruel tome,but itwasterrifyingbeinglockedawayinthedarknessofthattinystoneroom.Iknewbetterthantocomplain.Whentheotherprisonerscursedorcomplainedorraisedaruckustheywerewarnedtobesilentand,onoccasion,whenaprisonerdidn’tfollow thoseorders, I couldhear theguardscarryout their threats.Sometimestheprisonerswerethereonlyashorttimebeforebeingtakentotheirexecution.Fromtimetotimenewmenwerebroughtin.FromwhatIcouldseeasIpeekedoutthetinywindow,thementheybroughtinwereaviolentanddangerouslot.TheirvileoathsinthepitchblacksometimeswokemeandgavemenightmareswhenIfellbacktosleep.“ThewholetimeIwaitedindreadofhavingavisionthatwouldrevealtome

myfinalfate,butsuchavisionnevercame.Ihardlyneededavision,though,toknowwhatthefutureheld.Iknewthatastheinvadersdrewclose,Cyrillawouldlikelycometothinkofitasmyfault.I’vehadvisionsmywholelife.Peoplewhodon’t like the things thathappen to themoftenblamemeforhaving told themwhatIsaw.Ratherthanusethatinformationtodosomethingaboutit,it’seasierfor them to take out their displeasure on me. They often believed that I hadcausedtheirtroublesbytellingthemwhatIhadseen,asifwhatIsawwasbymychoiceandbroughttobethroughmaliceonmypart.“Being locked away in that dark cell was almost beyond endurance, but I

coulddonothingotherthanendureit.AsIsatthereendlessly,Icouldunderstandhowbeing thrownin thepithaddrivenCyrillamad.At least Ididn’thave thebrutestocontendwith—thosekindofmenwerelockedintheothercells.Asit

was,IthoughtthatIwouldsurelydiethere,forsakenandforgotten.IlosttrackofhowlongIhadbeenlockedawayfromtheworld,fromthelight,fromliving.“AllthewhileIneverhadanymorevisions.Ididn’tknowatthetimethatI

wouldneverhaveanother.“Once, thequeensentanemissarytoaskifIwouldrecantmyvision.I told

themanwho came to seeme that I would happily tell the queen any lie shewished to hear if shewould only letme out. Itmust not have beenwhat thequeenwantedtohearbecauseIneversawtheemissaryagainandnoonecametoreleaseme.”Richardglancedover to seeShotawatchinghim.Hecould read inhereyes

hersilentaccusationthathewasdoingthatverything—wantinghertotellhimsomethingotherthanwhatshesawwasinstorefortheworld.Hefeltastabofguilt.Jebra gazed up at the skylights high overhead, as if soaking up the simple

wonder of light. “One night—I only later learned that up in theworld it wasnightaswell—aguardcametothetinywindowintheirondoortomycrampedlittleroom.HewhisperedthatImperialOrdertroopsapproachedthecity.Hetoldmethatthebattlewasatlastabouttobegin.“Hesoundedalmostcheeredthat theagonyofwaitingwasfinallyover, that

therealityofitrelievedthemallofhavingtopretendotherwisefortheirqueen.Itwasasifknowingthetruthofwhatwascomingsomehowmadethemfaithlesstraitors,butthattreasonagainstthequeen’swisheswouldnowbetransferredtoreality.Still, thatwasonlypart of thequeen’sdelusions, thepart thatwas tooobvioustoavoid.“IwhisperedbackthatIfearedfortheinhabitantsofthecity.Hescoffed,said

thatIwasdaft,thatIhadnotseenGaleansoldiersfight.Heprofessedconfidencethat theGaleanarmy,a forceofwell inexcessofonehundred thousandgoodmen,wouldtrouncetheinvadersandsendthempacking, justasthequeenhadsaid.“I kept silent. I dared not contradict the queen’s wishful illusions of their

invincibility, dared not say that I knew that the massive numbers of ImperialOrdertroopsIhadseeninmyvisionwouldeasilycrushthedefendingarmyandthatthecitywouldfall.LockedinmycellasIwas,Icouldnotevenrun.“AndthenIheardthatstrange,sinistersoundfrommyvision.Itranshiversup

myspine.Myskinwentcoldwithgoosebumps.AtlastIknewwhatitwas:itwas thewail of thousands of enemy battle horns. It sounded like the howl ofdemonscomeupfromtheunderworldtodevour theliving.Noteventhethickstone walls could keep out that terrible, piercing sound. It was a sound

announcing the approach of death, a sound thatwould havemade theKeeperhimselfgrin.”

Chapter13Jebra rubbed her shoulders, as if themerememory of the shrill call of the

battlehornshadagaingivenhergoosebumps.ShetookadeepbreathtoregainhercomposurebeforeshelookedupatRichardandwentonwithherstory.“Theguardsallrantothecity’sdefenses,leavingthedungeonunguarded.Of

course,theirondoorstheylockedbehindthemselvesweremorethanenoughtopreventanyone fromescaping.After theyweregone someof theprisoners letoutcheersfortheapproachingImperialOrder,fortheimminentfallofGalea,forwhattheybelievedwouldbetheirimpendingliberation.Butsoonthey,too,wentquietascriesandscreamsswelledinthedistanceaboveus.Silencesettledintothedarkdungeonsofthepalace.“SoonIbegantoheartheclashofarms,thecollectivecriesofmeninmortal

combat, coming closer all the time.Alongwith theyells therewere the awfulshrieksoftheinjured.Theshoutsofsoldiersgrewlouderasthedefendersweredrivenback.Andthen,theenemywasinthepalace.I’dlivedinthepalaceforatimeandI’dcometoknowsomanyofthosepeopleuptherewhowereabouttoface…”Jebra paused to wipe tears from her cheeks. “Sorry,” she mumbled as she

pulledahandkerchieffromhersleeveanddabbedathernosebeforeclearingherthroatandgoingon.“Idon’tknowhowlongthebattleraged,buttherecameatimewhenIheard

theboomingsoundofabatteringrambashingagainsttheirondoorsabove.Eachblowrangthroughthestonewalls.Whenonedoorfell,thesoundscamecloserasthenextdoorthencameunderassaultuntilit,too,wasbreached.“Andthendozensofsoldiers,allshoutingbattlecries,suddenlyspilleddown

thestairsandintothedungeon.Theybroughttorcheswiththem,fillingtheroomoutside my cell with harsh light. They were probably looking for a treasureroom,forplunder.Insteadtheyfoundafilthyplaceofemptyseclusion.Theyallrushedbackupthestairsandleftustothedark,toquiet,heart-poundingfear.“IthoughtthatthatwasthelastIwouldseeofthem,butitwasn’tlongbefore

thesoldiersreturned.Thistimetheybroughtscreamingwomenbackwiththem—someofthepalacestaff.Apparentlythesoldierswantedtobealonewiththeirfresh prizes,wanted to be away fromall the othermenwhomight steal themawayorfightthemforsuchvaluablelivingplunder.“ThethingsIhearddrovemetopushmyselfbackintothefarthestcornerof

my cell, but that was no real withdrawal; I could still hear all of the ghastlybusiness. I could not imagine the kind ofmenwhowould laugh and cheer atsuchterribledeedsastheyweredoing.Thosepoorwomen—theyhadnooneat

alltohelpthem,andnohopeofrescue.“Oneoftheyoungerwomenapparentlybrokefromthemanholdingherand

inawildpanicranforthestairs.Iheardvoicesyellingoutfortheotherstograbher.Shewasquickandstrongbutthemeneasilycaughtherandthrewhertothefloor.When I heard her begging for her life, crying ‘please no, please no,’ Irecognizedhervoice.Whileonemanheldherdown,anotherputabootonherkneeandliftedherfootuntilIheardherkneepop.Asshescreamedinpainandterror,hedid thesame to theother leg.Themen laughed, tellingher thatnowthat she wouldn’t be running away again she could put her mind to her newduties. And then they started in on her. I have never in my life heard suchfrightfulscreams.“I don’t know howmanymen came down into the dungeon, butmore and

morearrived in turn. Itwenton forhourafterhour.Someof thewomenweptandwailedthewholetimetheywerebeingassaulted.Suchcarrying-onbroughtgreat gales of laughter from the men. But these were not men, they weremonsterswithoutconscienceorrestraint.“Oneofthesoldiersfoundastashofkeysandwentaroundunlockingthecell

doors. He laughed and hooted as he threw open the doors, declaring theliberationoftheoppressed,andinvitedtheprisonerstogetinlinetohavetheirrevengeonthewickedpeoplewhohadpersecutedandoppressedthem.Thegirlwhose knees they’d broken—Elizabeth was her name—had never oppressedanyone in her young life. She’d always smiled as she went about her workbecause shewas sohappy tohaveemployment at thepalace, andbecause shewas infatuatedwith ayoung carpenter’s apprenticewhoworked there aswell.Theprisonerspouredoutoftheircells,onlytooeagertojoinin.”“Whydidn’ttheypullyouout?”Richardasked.Jebra paused for a gulp of air before continuing. “Whenmy cell door was

thrownopenIpressedmyselfupintothedarkestcornerintheback.TherewasnoquestionastowhatwouldhappentomeifIwentout,orifIwasdiscovered.Whatwiththescreamsofthewomen,thehollering,thelaughterofthesoldiers,andthescufflingoverplacesinline,themensomehowdidn’trealizethatIwashidinginthedarknessatthebackofmycell.Therewasn’tmuchlightdowninthedungeon.Theymusthavethoughtthelittleroomwasempty,assomeoftheotherswere,fornoonebotheredtosticka torchinandhavea look—afterall,the rest of the prisonerswere allmen, all criminals, and all only too eager tocomeout.I’dneverspokentothem,sotheywouldn’thaveknownthattherewasawomandowninthedungeonwiththemortheyobviouslywouldhavecomeinafterme.Besides,theywereall…quitepreoccupied.”

Jebra’sface,twistedinanguish,sankintoherhands.“Icouldnotbegintotellyouwhat terrible thingswere being done to thewomen only a short distancefromme.Iwillhavenightmaresaboutitfortherestofmylife.Rapewasonlypartofthepurposeofthosemen.Theirreallustwasviolence,asavagedesiretodegradeandhurtthehelpless,tohavethepoweroflifeanddeathoverthem.“Whenthewomenstoppedstruggling,stoppedscreaming,stoppedbreathing,

themendecided to go find themselves some food anddrink to celebrate theirvictory,andthensnatchsomemorewomen.Likebestfriendsonaholiday,themenalltookvowsthattheywouldnotrestuntiltherewasnotawomanleftintheNewWorldthattheyhadnottaken.”With both hands Jebra raked her hair back from her face. “After they all

rushedoffitfellstillandquietinthedungeon.Iremainedpressedtothebackofmycell,thehemofmydressstuffedinmymouth,tryingtokeepfrommakingasound that would betray me as I shook and wept uncontrollably.My nostrilswerefilledwiththeterriblesmellofbloodandotherthings.Funnyhowafteratimeyournosehas awayofbecomingdulled to smells that at firstmadeyousick.“Still,Icouldn’tstoptrembling—notafterIhearingalltheghastlythingsthat

hadbeendone to thosewomen. Iwas terrified that Iwouldbediscoveredandreceive the same treatment.As I hid in the cell, afraid to come out, afraid tomake a sound, I could understand how Cyrilla had gone mad under suchmistreatment.“All the time I could hear the sounds from above, the sounds of battle still

raging, the soundsof pain andhorror, the screamsof thedying. I could smelloily smoke. It seemed like the battle, the killing, would go on forever. Thewomenlyingoutbeyondmyopencelldoor,though,didnotmakeanysoundatall. I knewwhy. I knew that theywere beyond any concerns of thisworld. Iprayedthattheywerenowinthetendercomfortingarmsofthegoodspirits.“I was exhausted frommy constant state of fright, but I could not sleep—

darednotsleep.ThenightworeonandeventuallyIsawlightcomingdownthestairwell; the iron doors to the dungeon were no longer there to shut out theworldabove.Still,Idarednotgoout.Idarednotmove.IstayedwhereIwasallday,until the roomfellpitchblackagainwithnight.The rampageand lootingabovecontinuedwithoutabatement.Whathadbegunasabattlehadturnedintoadrunkencelebrationofvictory.Dawndidnotbringanyquietfromabove.“IknewthatIcouldn’tremainwhereIwas;thestenchofthedeadwomenwas

becomingunbearable,aswasthethoughtofbeingdownthere in thedarkholeamong the rotting corpses of people I knew. Yet such was my fear of what

waitedabovethatIstayedwhereIwasthatdayandthenagaintheentirenight.“Iwassothirsty,sohungry,thatIbegantoseegobletsofwateronthefloor

besideloavesofbread.Icouldsmellthewarmbreadonlyafewfeetaway.ButwhenIreachedforthemtheywerenotthere.“Idon’trememberexactlywhenitwas,buttherecameatimewhenIsoached

for an end to the constant paralyzing dread that I came to accept and almostwelcomemyend.Iknewall toowellwhatwasinstoreforme,butIreasonedthat the agonyofmy terrorwould at last beover. I sowanted it to beover. Iknew that I would have to endure suffering, humiliation, and pain, but I alsoknew that, just like the women who lay dead not far from me, it wouldeventuallyendandIwouldnolongerhavetosuffer.“So,Ifinallydaredtostepoutofthedarknessofmycell.ThefirstthingIsaw

was Elizabeth’s dead eyes staring right at me, as if she were looking over,waiting forme to emerge, so that I could seewhathadbeendone toher.Herexpressionseemedasilentpleaformetotestifyonbehalfofjustice.Buttherewasnoonetotestifyto,nojusticetobehad,justmysilentwitnessofherforlornend.“Thesightofher,alongwiththeotherwomen,drovemebackin.Seeingthenatureofthetorturestheyhadbeensubjectedto,Iwasfinallyable

to connect those atrocities with my memories of their screams. It set me toweepinguncontrollably.Icoweredinterror,imaginingmyselfsubjectedtosuchthings.“Andthen,overwhelmedbyafitofblindpanic,Icoveredmynosewiththe

hemofmydressagainsttheterriblesmellandranthroughthetangleoftwisted,nakedlimbsandbodies.Iboltedupthestairs,notknowingwhatIwasrunningtoward,onlyknowingwhatIwasrunningfrom.AllthewayasIranIprayedforthemercyofaquickdeath.“It was a shock to see the palace again. It had been a beautiful place, the

painstaking renovationsafter thepreviousattacka fewyearsbackhavingonlyrecentlybeencompleted.Nowitwasbeyondbeingawreck.Itwasimpossibleformetounderstandwhymenwouldtaketheefforttobreakthingsthewaytheyhad, that they could find joy in such tedious acts of destruction.Grand doorswererippedofftheirhingesandbrokentobits.Marblepillarshadbeentoppled.Parts of shattered furniture lay scattered about.The floorswere fairly coveredwiththelitterofpiecesofotheroncegrandthings:shardsofbeautifullyglazedpottery; fragments of little ears and noses and tiny fingers from porcelainfigurines;splinteredwoodenscrapsshowingabitofaoncecarefullycarvedandgildedsurface; flattened tables;art thathadbeen torn toshredsor the faces in

paintings ground threadbare under heavy boots.Thewindowswere all brokenout,drapespulleddownandtrampled,statuesdefacedorbroken,wallsbashedininplaces,coveredwithbloodinothers,elaborateroomsdefecatedin,thefecesused towritevilewordson thewallsalongwithoathsofdeath to theOrder’snorthernoppressors.“Soldiers were everywhere, pawing through the residue left behind by yet

other soldiers, picking over the dead, looting anything they could carry off,smashingelegantdecorationsoutofsheercontempt,jokingastheystoodinlinesoutsideroomswaitingtheirturnatthewomencaptives.AsIstumbledinadazethroughthewreckageofthepalace,Ikeptexpectingtobegrabbedanddraggedofftooneofthoserooms.Iknewthattherewasnoavoidingmyfate.“I had never seen the likes of these men. These were men who inspired

unbridled terror. Great, hulking, unwashed men in scarred and bloodstainedleatherarmor.Mostofthemwerecoveredinchainsandbeltsandstuddedstraps.Many had their heads shaved, making them look all the more muscled andmenacing. Others glared out from beneath mats of long, tangled strands ofgreasy hair. They all looked savage and hardly human. Their faces wereblackenedwith thegrimysootof fires and streaked throughwith sweat.Theirlanguagewasloud,coarse,andboldlyvile.“Seeing such men stalking through the grand pastel pink or blue rooms

seemedalmostcomical,buttherewasnothingamusingaboutthebloodyaxesattheirbelts, their swordsgreasywithgore,or the flails,knives,and iron-spikedcudgelshangingathandaroundtheirwaists.“Butitwastheireyesthatstoppedyouinyourtracks.Allhadthekindofeyes

thathadnotjustbecomecomfortablewiththemessycraftofbutchery…buthadtakena lustful liking to it.All lookeduponevery living thing theysawwithasingle evaluation: is this something to be killed? But their eyes had an evencrueler castwhen they took in any of thewomen captives being passed fromhandtohand.Thatlookwasenoughtostopawoman’sbreath,ifnotherheart.“Theseweremenwhohadabandonedanypretenseatcivilizedmanner.They

did not bargain or barter the way normal men did. They took whatever theywanted, and even fought each other over themost insignificant plunder. Theycrushedanddestroyedandkilledonwhimwithoutconsequenceorconscience.These were men beyond the realm of civilized morality. These were savagebrutesturnedlooseamongtheinnocent.”

Chapter14“Ifthereweresoldierseverywhere,thenwhydidn’ttheysnatchyouanddrag

youoff?”CaraaskedwiththekindofcasualyetpointeddirectnessthatonlyaMord-Sithcouldsoeffortlesslymuster,as if theveryconceptofproprietywasbeyondher.The samequestionhadoccurred toRichard, but at thatmoment he hadnot

beenabletosummonhisvoice.“They thought she hadbeendesignated as a servant,”Nicci said in a quiet,

knowingvoice. “Since shewaswalking aroundunmolested that long after theonsetoftheassault,themenwouldhaveassumedthattherewasagoodreason,thatthoseincommandhadreservedherforotherduties.”Jebra nodded. “That’s right.An officerwho spottedme right off pulledme

into a roomwith othermenwhowere gathered aroundmaps spread out overtables.Theroomhadn’tbeenruinedashadmostoftheothers.Theydemandedtoknowwheretheirfoodwas,asifIshouldknow.“Theywere justasferocious-lookingas therestof themenandIwouldnot

haveknownatfirstthattheyweretheofficersexceptbythedeferencepaidthemby theother soldierswhocameandwentwith reports.Someof theseofficerswereabitolderandhadanevenharderedgetothem,amorecalculatinglookintheireyes,thantheregularsoldierswhoalwaysgavethemawideberth.WhentheylookedatmeIknewtheyweremenwhoexpectedimmediateanswers.“I grasped at that glimmer of hope—that I might live if I played along. I

bowedwithanapologyandtoldthemIwouldseetothefoodatonce.Theysaidthat I had better, apparently more interested in eating than dealing outpunishment. I rushedoff to thekitchens, trying toactwitha senseofpurposewhilebeingcarefulnottorunforfearthatthemenwouldseeawomanrunningandreactlikewolvestoafawnboltingfromcover.“There were several hundred others in the kitchens, mostly older men and

women.Many of them I recognized, as they had long cooked for the palace.Therewere younger, strongermen there aswellwhowere needed tomanagesomeoftheworkthatwastooheavyforthescullionsortheelderly,worksuchashandlingthecarcassesforbutcheringorturningtheheavyspits.Theywereallworking frantically among the roaring fires and steamingpots as if their livesdependedonit,whichofcoursetheydid.“When I entered the kitchens people hardly noticed me, as they were all

rushing about, preoccupied in various tasks. Seeing everyone was alreadyworkingatafeverpitch,Igrabbedupalargeplatterofmeatsandofferedtotakeitbackuptothemen.Thepeopleinthekitchenswereonlytoohappytohave

someoneelsewhowaswillingtogooutamongthesoldiers.“WhenIreturnedwiththefoodtheofficerswhohadsentmeabandonedwhat

theyhadbeendoing.Theyappeared tobe ravenouslyhungry.They sprangupfromthecouchesandchairsandusedtheirbare,filthyhandstosnatchthemeatoff the tray.As Iset theheavy trayononeof the large tables,oneof themenpeeredupatmeashechewedamouthful.HeaskedwhyIdidn’thavearinginmylip.Ididn’tknowwhathewastalkingabout.”“Theyputringsthroughthelowerlipsofslaves,”Niccisaid.“Itmarksthem

as the property of men of rank and keeps the soldiers from taking them asplunder.Itgivesthoseincommandservantsattheirdisposalformenialwork.”Jebra nodded. “The officer yelled orders. A man grabbed me and held me

whileanothercameforward.Hepulledmylowerlipoutandshovedanironringthrough.”Niccistaredoffintothedistance.“Theyuseironasareferencetoironkettles

andsuch.Anironringsignifieskitchenworkersandsuch.”RichardsawtheglazeofsuppressedrageinNicci’sblueeyes.She, too,had

oncewornaringthroughher lower lip,althoughhershadbeengoldtodenotethat shewas the personal property ofEmperor Jagang. Itwas nohonor.Niccihadbeenusedforthingsfarworsethanmenialtasks.“You’rerightaboutthat,”Jebrasaid.“AftertheyputtheringinmylipIwas

sentbacktothekitchenstogetthemmorefoodandwine.Irealizedthenthattheotherpeopleinthekitchenworeironringsaswell.IwasinanumbdazeasIranbackandforthtogettheofficerswhattheydemanded.IsnuckagulpofwateroramouthfuloffoodwheneverIcould.Itwasenoughtosavemefromcollapse.“I foundmyself thrown inwith other frightened peoplewhoworked at the

palace who were now taking orders from the officers. I hardly had time toconsiderhow Ihadbychancemanaged toescapeaworse fate.Asmuchas itthrobbedandbled,Iwasgladtohavethatironringthroughmylipbecausewhenanysoldiersawithechangedhismindabouthisintentionsandletmebe.“BeforelongIwassentoutwithheavysatchelsoffoodanddrinkforofficers

inotherareasofthecity.OutinthecountrysidesurroundingthecityIbegantodiscoverthetrueextentofthehorrorthathadbefallenEbinissia.”WhenJebrasankintoadistantdaze,Richardasked,“Whatdidyousee?”Shelookedupathim,asifshehadalmostforgottenthatshewastellingher

story,but thensheswallowedbackheranguishandwenton.“Outside thecitywallsthereweretensofthousandsofdeadfromthebattles.Thegroundforasfarastheeyecouldseewascoveredwithmangledcorpses,manybunchedingroupswheretheyhaddiedmakingtheirlaststand.Thesightseemedunreal,butIhad

alreadyseenitbefore…inmyvision.“Theworstofit,though,wasthattherewereanumberofGaleansoldiersstill

alive,thoughgrievouslywounded.Theylayhereandthereonthefieldofbattlebesidetheirdeadbrethren,woundedandunabletomove.Somemoanedsoftlyastheylayneardeath.Othersweremorealert,butunabletomoveforonereasonoranother.Onemanwastrapped,hislegscrushedundertheweightofabrokenwagon.Anotherhadbeenpinnedtothegroundbyaspearthroughhisgut.Eventhough in great pain, he wanted so desperately to live that he dared not pullhimselfofftheshaftandreleasewhatitheldinplace.Othershadlegsorarmssobadly broken that theywere unable to crawl over the chaos of dead soldiers,horses,andrubble.Withsoldiersconstantlypatrolling,IknewthatifIstoppedtoofferanycomfortoraidtothesewoundedmenIwouldbespottedandkilled.“AsImademywaybackandforth fromtheoutposts Ihad topass through

this awful battlefield. The hills where this final engagement had taken placeweredottedwithhundredsofpeopleslowlymakingtheirwayamongthedead,methodicallypicking through theirbelongings. I later learned that theywere asmall army of people who trailed behind the Imperial Order troops—campfollowers—livingoffthescrapsthattheOrdersoldiersleftintheirwake.Thesehumanvulturespawedthroughthedeadsoldiers’pocketsandsuch,makingtheirlivingondeathanddestruction.“I recall one older woman in a dingy white shawl coming upon a Galean

soldierwhowasstillalive.Amongotherwounds,hisleghadbeengashedopento thebone.Hishands trembledwith theendless,solitaryeffortofholding themassivewoundclosed.Itseemedamiraclethathewasevenstillalive.“As the oldwoman in the shawl pulled at his clothes, looking for anything

valuable,hebeggedherforasipofwater.Sheignoredhimasshetoreopenhisshirttoseeifhehadaneckchainwithapurse,assomesoldiersdid.Inaweak,hoarse voice he again pleaded for a sip of water. She instead pulled a longknittingneedlefromherbeltand,ashelayhelpless,shoveditintheman’sear.Hertonguepokedoutofthecornerofhermouthwiththeeffortoftwistingthelongmetalneedlearoundinsidehisbrains.Hisarmsflinchedandthenwentstill.Shedrewthelengthofherknittingneedlebackoutandwipeditoffonhispantlegasshemutteredacomplaintthatthatwouldkeephimquiet.Shereplacedherknittingneedleinherbeltandwentbacktoriflingthroughhisclothes.Itstruckmehowwellpracticedshehadseemedatthegrislytask.“Isawothercampfollowersusearocktobashintheheadofanymanthey

found alive just to be certain hewouldn’t surprise them by striking outwhentheywerebusyhuntingforanyloot.Someofthesescavengersdidn’tbotherto

doanythingtothewoundedmanunlesshecouldstillusehishandsandtriedtofend them off; if he was alive, but unable to resist, they merely helpedthemselves towhat theycould findand thenmovedon.But therewerepeoplewholiftedafistintheairandshoutedintriumphwhenevertheyfoundafallensoldier still alive, one they could dispatch, as if doing somade them a hero.Occasionally there were those who came upon the helpless wounded andenjoyedtorturingtheminthemostghastlymanner,amusedbythefactthatthemen could neither run nor fight themoff. Itwas only amatter of a fewmoredays, though, before all the wounded survivors were dead, either fromsuccumbingtotheirwounds,orfinallybeingdispatchedbythecampfollowers.“Over thenext fewweeks the ImperialOrder soldiers celebrated their great

victory with an orgy of violence, rape, and plundering. Every building wasbrokenintoandthoroughlysearched.Anythingofvaluewaslooted.Otherthanthesmallnumbersofthepeoplelikemewhohadbeendesignatedasservants,nomaleescapedcaptureandnowomanescapedtheclutchesofthosevilemen.”Jebrawept over herwords. “No youngwoman should ever have to endure

whatwasdonetothosepoorcreatures.ThecapturedGaleansoldiersaswellasthemenandboysof thecitywerewell awareofwhatwashappening to theirmothers, wives, sisters, and daughters—the Order troops saw to that. Severaltimes,smallgroupsofthecaptiveswhocouldnolongerbearitroseuptotrytostoptheabuse.Theywereslaughtered.“Before long thecaptivesweresent ingreatgangs todigseeminglyendless

pits for thedead.When theyhad finisheddigging thepits theywere forced torecoveralltherottingbodiesformassburial.Thosewhoresistedendedupinthepitsaswell.“Onceallthedeadhadbeencollectedandthrownintothepits,thementhen

hadtotodiglongtrenches.Afterthat,theexecutionsbegan.Nearlyeverymaleovertheageoffifteenwastobeputtodeath.Thereweretensofthousandsofpeoplewho had been caught up in theOrder’s net. I knew that itwould takeweekstobutcherthemall.“The women and the children were forced at swordpoint to watch their

menfolk being put to death and thrown in the great open pits. While theywatched,theywereinformedthatthiswasanexampleofwhathappenedtothosewhoresisted the justandmoral lawof the ImperialOrder.Theywere lecturedthroughouttheendlessexecutions,lecturedonhowitwasblasphemyagainsttheCreator to liveas theyhadbeen living,solelyfor theirownselfishends.Theyweretoldthatmankindhadtobepurgedofsuchcorruptionandwouldbebetterforit.

“Someof themenwerebeheaded.Someweremadetokneelbefore thepitsandthenbrawnymenwithiron-cappedcudgelswalkeddownthelineandwithapowerful swing bashed in the heads of each man in turn while a couple ofcaptives in chains followed behind, throwing each freshly killed man in thetrench. Some of the prisoners were used for target practice with arrows, orspears. Fellow soldiers laughed and mocked the drunken executioner if hissloppyaimfailedtoachieveacleankill.Itwasagametothem.“I think, though, that the sheer magnitude of the grisly business brought a

somber mood over some of the Imperial Order soldiers and they turned todrinkingasawayofmaskingtheirrevulsionsothattheycouldjoinin,aswasexpectedofthem.It’sonethingtokillintheheatofcombat,afterall,butquiteanothertokillincoldblood.Butkillincoldbloodtheydid.Asthevictimsfellintothetrenchestheywerecoveredoverwithdirtbythosewhowouldsoonjointhem.“IrecallonerainydaywhenIhadtobringfoodtoofficersstandingunderthe

shelterofwhatoncehadbeenacanvasawningoverashop,nowheldupwithlances. They were there to watch an execution that was being put on as anelaborate spectacle. The terrified women who were to witness the deathsentencesbeingcarriedoutwerebroughtstraightfromtheraperoomsbytheircaptors.Manyofthewomenwerestillonlyhalfdressed.“By the many sudden cries of recognition and names shouted out, it soon

becameobvioustomethattheOrderinterrogationshadidentifiedthehusbandsof the women and had singled them out. The couples were being broughttogetherinamacabrereunion,separatedbutinfullviewofoneanother.“Thewomen,huddledtogetherandhelpless,weremadetowatchasthewrists

oftheirmenweretightlyboundbehindtheirbackswithleatherthongs.Themenwereforcedtokneelnearthefreshpits,facingthewomen.Soldierscamedownthe line and in turnheld eachman’s headupbyhis hair, then slicedopenhisthroat. I remember the executioners’ powerful muscles glistening in the rain.Holdingtheirvictimsbythehair,aftercuttinghisthroat,theyheavedeachbodybackintothepitsbeforegoingontothenextmaninline.“Themenwaitingtobeslainweptandtrembledastheycriedoutthenamesof

their beloved, cried out their undying love. The women did likewise as theywatched their men murdered and then thrown in on piles of other men stillthrashingandgaspingin the throesofdeath.Itwasashorrific,aswrenchinglysorrowful,asanythingIhaveeverseen.“Astheysawtheirlovedoneskilled,manyofthewomenfainted,collapsing

to themuddygroundcovered invomit.As the steady rain fell,others, inwild

terror,screamedthenamesofthemantheysawabouttobeputtodeath.Theystruggled against the iron grip of guards who laughed as they dragged thewomenawayinturn,shoutingoutthedetailsoftheirintentionstoherhusbandwhowasabouttodie.ItwasatwistedkindofcrueltythatinflictedsufferingonascalethatIcouldnotbegintoadequatelyconvey.“Familieswere not only being torn apart forever, but beingwiped out.Did

youeverhearthatoldquestion:Howdoyouthinktheworldwillend?Thiswashow.Thiswastheworldendingforthousandsuponthousandsofpeople…onlyitwasendingonepersonatatime.Itwasonelongdrawnoutwitheringoflives,thefinalendingofeachindividual’sworld.”Richard grippedhis temples between the thumb and fingers of one hand so

hard that he thought he might crush his own skull. With great difficulty hemanaged to control his breathing and his voice. “Didn’t anyone manage toescape?”heaskedintotheringingsilence.“Duringallofthesevariousrapesandexecutionsandall,didn’tanyoneescape?”Jebranodded.“Yes.Ibelievethatafewmadeitoutbut,ofcourse,Ihadno

realwaytoknowforsure.”“Therewereenoughwhoescaped,”Niccisaidinaquietvoice.“Enough?”Richardshoutedasheturnedhisfuryonher.Hecaughttheflash

of rage thathad slipped throughhis control andbroughthisvoicebackdown.“Enoughforwhat?”“Enough for their purpose,” Nicci said, gazing into his eyes, solemnly

enduring what she saw there. “The Order knows that there are people whoescape. During the height of the brutality, the worst of the horrors, theydeliberatelyrelaxsecuritysoastobesurethatafew,atleast,willescape.”Richard’s mind felt as if it were hopelessly adrift in a thousand scattered,

disheartenedthoughts.“Why?”Nicci shared a long lookwith him before she finally answered. “To spread

such a fear that itwill grip the next city in terror. That terrorwill insure thatpeopleinthepathoftheadvancingarmywillsurrenderratherthanfacethesamebrutal treatment. In thisway victory comeswithout theOrder having to fightevery inch of the way. The terror that is spread by escaping people who tellotherswhat theysawisapowerfulweaponthatcrumbles thecourageof thoseyettobeattacked.”Withthewayhisheartwaspounding,Richardcouldunderstandtheterrorof

waitingfortheOrdertoattack.HerakedhisfingersbackthroughhishairasheredirectedhisattentiontoJebra.“Didtheymurderallthecaptives?”“A few of themen—oneswhowere deemed not a threat for one reason or

another—weresentwithotherpeople fromthecityout into thecountryside ingangs towork the farms. I never knewwhat happened to these people, but Ipresumethattheyarestillthere,toilingasslavestoraisefoodfortheOrder.”Jebra’sgazesankasshepulledsomestrandsofhairbackfromherface.“Most

of the women who survived became the property of the troops. Some of theyoungerandmoreattractivewomenhadacopper ringput through their lowerlipsandwerereservedforthemenofrank.Cartsfrequentlyprowledthecamp,collectingthebodiesofwomenwhohaddiedduringtheirabuse.Noofficereverraisedanyobjectiontothebrutaltreatmentthesewomenreceivedoutinthetentsamong the troops,Thedeadwere taken to thepitsand thrown in.Noone,noteven ImperialOrder soldierswhodied,wereeverburiedwith theirnameonamarker.Theywereallthrowninthemassgraves.TheOrderdoesnotbelieveinthesignificanceofanyindividualanddoesnotmarktheirpassing.”“What of the children?” Richard asked. “You said that they didn’t kill the

youngerboys.”Jebratookadeepbreathbeforeshebeganagain.“Well,fromtheveryfirst,the

boyshadbeengatheredtogetherandorganizedbyageintogroupsofwhatIcanonlydescribeasboyrecruits.Theywereregarded,notascapturedGaleans,notas the conquered, but as youngmembers of the ImperialOrder liberated frompeople whowould only have oppressed them and corrupted their minds. Theblameforthewickednessthatnecessitatedtheinvasionwasplacedontheoldergenerations,nottheseyoungpeoplewhoweresaidtobeinnocentoftheirelders’sins.Thus theywere separated,physicallyandspiritually, from theadults, andthuswasbeguntheirtraining.“Theboysweredrilled in amanner thatwas likeplayinggames, grimas it

must have been tomany.Theywere treated relativelywell and kept occupiedeverymoment incontestsofstrengthandskill.Theywerenotallowed topinefortheirfamilies—thatwasdescribedasshowingweakness.TheOrderbecametheirfamilies,whethertheylikeditornot.“Atnight,whileIcouldhearthecriesofwomen,Icouldalsoheartheboysas

they sang together, under the leadership of special training officers.” Shegestured as an aside. “I had to bring these officers food and such, so I had achance to see what was happening to these boys as the weeks and then themonthspassed.“After training for a time the boys began to earn rank and standingwithin

theirgroupforavarietyofthings—whetheritbeingamesofskillandstrength,or inmemorizing their lessons in the righteouswaysof theOrder.As IwouldrushaboutinmydutiesfortheofficersIwouldseetheboysstandingatattention

before theirgroups, recitingback the things theyhadbeen taught, speakingofthegloryofbeingpartoftheOrder,oftheirhonorabledutytobepartofanewworld dedicated to the advancement of mankind, and of their willingness tosacrificeforthatgreatergood.“EventhoughIneverreallyhadthechancetolearnthespecificsofwhatthese

boyswerebeingtaught,Irememberalineshoutedincessantlyastheystoodatattention:‘Icanbenothingalone.Mylifehasmeaningonlythroughdedicationtoothers.Togetherweallareone,ofonemind,foronepurpose.’“After emotionally charged rallies the boyswere brought in their groups to

watchexecutionsof‘traitorstomankind.’Theywereencouragedtocheerwheneach ‘traitor’ died. Their Order leaders stood proud and tall before the boys,backstothebloodbath,saying,‘Bestrongyoungheroes.Thisiswhathappenstotheselfishbetrayersofmankind.Youaremankind’sfuturesaviors.YouarethefutureheroesoftheOrder,sobestrong.’“Whatever trepidation the boys may have had at first, under the long and

ceaseless indoctrination,guidance, andconstantencouragementof theofficers,thoseboyscheered.Evenifitwasnotsincereatfirst,itseemedtobecomesointheend.Isawhowtheboysbegantobelieve—withrealfervor—thethingstheywerebeingtaughtbyadults.“The boys were encouraged to use knives issued them to stab the freshly

killed ‘traitors.’ This was only one of the ways they were systematicallydesensitizedtodeath.Intheend,theboyswereearningrankbyparticipatinginthe executions. They stood before empty-eyed captives and lectured them ontheirselfishways,theirtreasontotheirfellowmanandtheCreator.Theboythencondemnedthatindividualcaptivetodeathandonoccasionevencarriedoutthedeed.Theirfellowsapplaudedtheirzealforhelpingtopurgemankindofthosewhohad resisted the holy teachings of theOrder, thosewhohad turned awayfromtheirCreatorandtheirdivinedutyofservicetotheirfellowman.“Before it was over, almost every one of those boys had a hand in the

butcheringofthecaptives.Theywerepraisedas‘heroes’oftheOrder.Atnight,intheirbarracks,thefewboyswhowouldnotgoalongwithparticipatingintheexecutionsbecameoutcastsandwereeventuallystigmatizedascowardsorevensympathizers of the oldways, for being selfish and unwilling to support theirfellowman—or,inthiscase,boy.Theyweremostoftenbeatentodeathbytheirgroup.“Thesefewboys,inmyeyes,weretheheroes.Theydiedaloneatthehandsof

theirfellowboys,boyswhohadonceplayedandlaughedwiththembuthadnowbecometheenemy.Iwouldhavegivennearlyanythingtohavebeenabletogive

thesefewnoblesoulsatleastahugandawhisperofmythanksthattheyhadnotjoinedin,butIcouldnot,sotheydiedaloneasoutcastsamongformerfriends.“Itwasmadness.Itseemedtomethatthewholeworldhadgoneinsane,that

nothingmadesenseanymore, that life itselfmadenosenseanymore.Painandsufferingbecamethedefinitionoflife;therewasnothingelse.Memoriesofanykind of joy seemed like dimdreams and no longer real.Life dragged on, dayafterday,seasonafterseason,but itwaslife thatrevolvedarounddeathinonewayoranother.“Intheend,theonlypeopleofGalealeftaliveweretheboysandthewomen

whodidn’tdieduringthebrutalrapesandthenaswhoresforthesoldiers.Intheend,theolderboyswereparticipatingintherapesaspartoftheirinitiationandas rewards for their enthusiasm during their assignments, including theexecutions.“Manyofthewomen,ofcourse,managedtokillthemselves.Everymorning,

on the cobblestone streets at the foot of the taller buildings, were found thebroken bodies of women who, seeing no future but degrading abuse, hadmanaged to throw themselves out ofwindowsor off roofs. I don’t knowhowmany times I would happen on a woman off in some dark corner, her wristsslashed by her own hand, her lifeblood having drained away along with anyhope.Icouldn’tsaythatIblamedthemfortheirchoice.”Richard stoodwith his hands clasped behind his back, staring into the still

watersofthefountain,asJebrawentoninendlessdetailoftheeventsfollowingthegreatvictorybythebravemenoftheImperialOrder.Thesenselessnessofitwasalmosttoomonumentaltocomprehend,muchlessendure.The slashes of sunlight coming in through the skylights above slowly crept

across themarble bench around the pool, across the expanse of floor, up andacross the granite steps. The bloodred stone of the columns glowed as thesunlight ceaselessly, incrementally, advanced up their length while Jebrachronicled everything she knew of what had happened while she had been acaptiveoftheOrder.Shotastoodunmovingnearlytheentiretime,usuallywithherarmsfolded,her

fair features fixed in a vaguely grim cast, watching Jebra tell her story, orwatchingRichardlistentoit,asifmakingsurethathisattentiondidn’twander.“Galeahadreservesoffoodaplentyfortheircitizens,”Jebrasaid,“butnotfor

anythinglikethenumbersofinvadersnowoccupyingthecity,whothemselvesdidnothaveplentifulsupplieswiththem.Thetroopsstrippedeverystorehouseof food. They emptied every larder, everywarehouse. Every animal formilesaround, includingthegreatmanysheepthatwereraisedforwoolandthemilk

cows, were butchered for food. Rather than keep the chickens for a steadysupplyofeggs,they,too,werekilledandeaten.“Asthefoodranlowtheofficerssentoffmessengerswithevermoreurgent

requestsforresupply.Formonthsthesuppliesdidnotcome—nodoubtingoodpartbecausewinterhadsetinandslowedthem.”Jebrahesitated,andthenswallowed,beforegoingon.“Iremembertheday—it

wasduringaheavysnowstorm—whenwewereorderedtocooksomefreshmeatthe Imperial Order soldiers delivered to the kitchens. It was freshly killed,headless,guttedhumancarcasses.”Richard abruptly turned to stare at Jebra. She gazed up at him as if from a

placeofinsanity,asifinfearthatshewouldbecondemnedforwhatsheknewwas beyond the pale. Her blue eyes brimmed with tears of supplication forforgiveness,asifshefearedhewouldstrikeherdeadforwhatshewasabouttoconfess.“Have you ever had to butcher a human body for cooking?We had to.We

roasted themeat, or stripped it from the bones tomake stews.We dried rackupon rack upon rack of themeat for the regular soldiers. If the soldierswerehungry and therewas nothing to feed them, bodieswould be delivered to thekitchens.Wewent toextraordinarylengths tostretchwhatsuppliesoffoodwehad.Wemadesoupsandstewswithweeds, ifwecouldfind thembeneath thesnow.Buttherewasjustnotenoughfoodtofeedallthemen.“I witnessedmany things that will giveme nightmares the rest ofmy life.

Seeing those remorseless soldiers standing in the open doorway, the snowblowinginbehindthem,astheydumpedthosebodiesonthefloorofthekitchenwillbeoneofthethingsthatforeverhauntsme.”Richardnoddedandwhispered,“Iunderstand.”“And then, early this past spring, the supplywagons finally began arriving.

Theybroughtgreatquantitiesoffoodstuffsfor thesoldiers.Iknew,despite theseeminglyendlesswagonsfullofsupplies,thatitwouldnotlastalongtime.“Besidethesupplies, therewerealsoreinforcementstoreplacethemenwho

had been killed in the battle to crush Galea. The numbers of Order troopsoccupying Ebinissiawere already overwhelming; the extra soldiers seemed toaddtomynumbsenseofhopelessness.“I overheard newly arrived officers reporting that more supplies would be

coming, alongwith yetmoremen.As they streamed in from the south,manyweresentonmissions tosecureotherareasof theMidlands.Therewereothercitiestobetaken,otherplacestobecaptured,otherpocketsofresistancetobecrushed,otherpeopletobeenslaved.

“Alongwith the supplies and the fresh troops came letters from the peoplebackhomein theOldWorld.Theywerenot letters toanyspecificsoldiers,ofcourse, since the Imperial Order had no way of knowing how to find anyindividualsoldierwithintheirvastarmies,norwouldtheyhavecaredto,sinceindividuals, as such, were unimportant in their eyes. Rather, theywere letterssenttothegeneraldeliveryofthe‘bravemen’fightingforthepeoplebackhome,fightingonbehalfof theirCreator, fighting todefeat theheathens to thenorth,fightingtobringbackward-thinkingpeoplethesalvationoftheOrder’sways.“At night, every night forweeks, the letters that had comewith the supply

wagonswould be read to assembled groups ofmen—most ofwhom couldn’treadthemselves.Theywerelettersofeverykind,frompeopletellingofthegreatsacrificestheyhadmadeinordertosendfoodandgoodsnorthtotheirfightingmen,tolettersextollingthegreatsacrificesthesoldiersweremakingtoadvancethedivine teachingof theOrder, to letters fromyoungwomenpromising theirbodies in service to brave soldiers when they returned from vanquishing theuncivilizedandbackwardenemytothenorth.Asyoucanimagine,thislastkindofletterwasquitepopularandtheywerereadoverandovertohootsandwildcheering.“ThepeopleoftheOldWorldevensentmementos:talismanstobringvictory;

drawingstodecoratethetentsoftheirfighters;cookiesandcakesthathadlongago rotted; socks, mittens, shirts, and caps; herbs for everything from tea tobandages; scented handkerchiefs from enraptured women eager to offerthemselvesindutytothesoldiers;weaponsbeltsandsuchmadebythecorpsofyoungboyswho trainedwithgroupsofotherboys theirownageuntil thedaytheycouldalsogonorthtosmitethepeoplewhoresistedtheCreator’swisdomandtheImperialOrder’sjustice.“Thelongtrainsofsupplywagons,beforetheywentbacktotheOldWorldto

getmoreofthesuppliesnecessarytosupporttheenormousarmyupintheNewWorld, were loaded downwith loot to be taken back to the cities of the OldWorldthatweresupplyingthefoodandgoodsneededbythearmy.Itwaslikealoop of trade—booty for supplies, supplies for booty. I suppose that seeingendlesswagonloadsofplunderedrichesstreamingsouthwasalsointendedtobeagreatincentiveforthepeoplebackhometocontinuetosupportwhathastobetheenormouscostofthewareffort.“Thearmythathadinvadedwasfartoolargetofitinthecity,ofcourse,and

with the reinforcements arrivingwith each train of supplywagons the endlessseaoftentsspreadevenfartheroutintothecountryside,blanketingthehillsandvalleysallaround.Thetreesforagoodlydistancehadallbeenstrippedandused

for firewood throughout the previouswinter, leaving the landscape around thecrowncity looking lifelessanddead.Thenewgrassesnevergrewbeneath theteemingmassesofmen, thecountlesshorses,andvarietyofwagons, so that itseemedthatGaleahadbeenturnedtoaseaofmud.“From new units just arrived, men coming up from the Old World were

formedintostrikeforcesthatweresenttoattackotherplaces,tospreadtheruleoftheImperialOrder,toestablishdominion.ItseemedthattherewasanendlesssupplyofmentoenslavetheNewWorld.“I was working to exhaustion feeding all the officers, so I was frequently

aroundthecommandpersonnelandoftenoverheard invasionplansandreportsof cities that had fallen, tallies of prisoners taken, accounts of the numbers ofslaves sent back to the OldWorld. On occasion some of the more attractivewomenwere brought back for the use of themen of rank. The eyes of thesewomenwerewildwith fearofwhatwas tobecomeof them. Iknew that theireyeswouldsoonenoughbecomedullwithlongingforthereleaseofdeath.Itallseemed to me one endless attack, one long endless savagery that showed nosignsofeverending.“Thecitybythen,ofcourse,hadbeenallbutemptiedofthepeoplewhoonce

had called it home.Almost everymale over fifteen had long ago been put todeathandthehandfulwhohadn’thadbeensentoffasslavelabor.Manyofthewomen—theonestoooldortooyoungtobeofusetotheOrder—hadbeenputto death if they were in the way, butmany had simply been left to starve todeath. They lived like rats in the dark crevices of the city. Last winter I sawdrovesofoldwomenandlittlegirlswholookedlikeskeletonscoveredinapaleveneeroffleshbeggingforscrapsoffood.Itbrokemyheart,buttofeedthemwouldonlyendinexecutionforthemandforme.Still,ifIcouldgetawaywithit,Isometimesslippedthemfood—iftherewasanytobehad.“In the end it was as if the population of Galea’s crown city, hundreds of

thousandsofpeople,hadforthemostpartbeenwipedfromexistence.Whatwasonce the heart of Galea is no more. It is now occupied by soldiers in thehundredsofthousands.Thecampfollowersbegansettinguphomesintheplaceslongsinceplundered,simplytakingoverwhatwassomeoneelse’s.Morepeoplefrom theOldWorld began to drift up to take places and live in them as theirown.“TheonlyGaleanwomenleftalivewereforthemostpartslavesusedbythe

soldiersaswhores.AftertimemanybecamepregnantandgavebirthtochildrenfatheredbythesoldiersoftheImperialOrder.TheseoffspringarebeingraisedtobefuturezealotsfortheOrder.VirtuallytheonlyGaleanchildrenleftaliveafter

thefirstyearofoccupationweretheboys.“Drilled endlessly in the ways of the Order, those boys became the Order.

They had long since forgotten theways of their parents or their homeland, orevencommondecency.TheywerenowImperialOrderrecruits—newlymintedmonsters.“Aftermonthsandmonthsoftraining,groupsoftheolderboysweresentto

bethefirstwaveofattackersagainstothercities.Theyweretobethefleshthatdulledtheswordsoftheheathens.Theywenteagerly.“I had once thought that the brutes who are the Imperial Order were a

distinctly different, savage breed of people, unlike the civilized people of theNewWorld. After seeing how those boys changed and what they became, IrealizedthatthepeoplewhoaretheOrderarereallynodifferentthantherestofus, except in their beliefs and the ideas thatmotivate them. A crazy thought,perhaps, but it seems that through some mysterious mechanism anyone issusceptibletobeingbeguiledintofallingfortheOrder’sways.”Jebrashookherheadindismay.“Ineverreallyunderstoodhowsuchathing

couldcomeabout,howtheofficerscouldteachboyssuchdrylessons,howtheycould lecture them that they must be selfless, that they must live a life ofsacrifice for the good of others, and then, as if by magic, those boys wouldmarchoffmerrilysingingsongs,hopingtodieinbattle.”“Thepremiseisprettysimple,really,”Niccisaid,offhandedly.“Simple?”Jebra’sbrowliftedwithincredulity.“Youcan’tbeserious.”

Chapter15“Ohyes,simple.”Niccidescendedthestepsoneatatimeinaslow,measured

mannerasshespoke.“BothboysandgirlsintheOldWorldaretaughtthesamethingsbytheFellowshipofOrder,andinthesamebasicmanner.”Shecame toahaltnot far fromRichardand loosely foldedherarmsas she

sighed—not out ofweariness, but ratherwith aweary cynicism. “Except thatwith themit’sstartednotall that longafter they’reborn. Itbeginswithsimplelessons, of course, but those lessons are expanded and reinforced over theirentire lifetime. It’s not unusual to see pious old people sitting through thelecturesgivenbybrothersoftheFellowshipofOrder.“Mostallpeoplearedrawntowardorderedsocialstructureandtheyyearnto

know how they fit into the larger scheme of the universe. The Fellowship ofOrderprovides themwithacomprehensiveandauthoritativesenseofstructure—inotherwords,tellsthemtherightwaytothinkaswellasaproperwaytolivetheirlives.Butit’smosteffectivewhenstartedwiththeyoung.IfayoungmindismoldedtotheOrder’sdogmathenitusuallybecomesinflexibleandfixedforlife. As a result, any other way of thinking—the very ability to reason—generallywithersanddiesatayoungageandislostforlife.Whensuchapersonis aged, theywill still sit through the same basic lessons, still hang on everyword.”“Simple?”Jebraasked.“Yousaidthepremiseisprettysimple?”Niccinodded.“TheOrderteachesthatthisworld,theworldoflife, isfinite.

Life is fleeting.Weareborn,we live for a time, andwedie.Theafterlife, bycontrast,iseternal.Afterall,weallknowthatpeoplediebutnooneevercomesback from the dead; dead is forever. Therefore, it is the afterlife which isimportant.“Around this core tenet, the Fellowship of Order ceaselessly drums into

people thebelief thatonemustearn theireternity in thegloryof theCreator’slight.Thislifeisthemeanstoearnthateternity—atest,inaway.”Jebrablinkedindisbelief.“Butstill,lifeis…Idon’tknow,it’slife.Howcan

anythingbemore important thanyour own life?”She softenedher skepticismwith a smile. “Surely that isn’t going to convincepeople to theOrder’s brutalways,convincethemtoturnawayfromlife.”“Life?”Withsuddenmenace inherglare,Nicci leaneddowna little toward

Jebra.“Don’tyoucareaboutyour soul?Don’tyou think thatwhathappens toyourveryownsoul for all eternitymightbeof seriousandearnest concern toyou?”“Well,ofcourseI,I…”Jebrafellmute.

Asshestraightened,Niccishruggedwithamocking,dismissivegesture.“Thislife is finite, transitory, so, in the scheme of things, in contrast to an eternalafterlife,howimportantcanafleetinglifeinthismiserableworldbe?Whattruepurposecouldthisbriefexistencepossiblyhave,otherthantoserveasatrialofthesoul?”Jebra looked uncomfortably dubious yet unwilling to challengeNicciwhen

sheframeditinsuchaway.“Forthatreason,”Niccisaid,“sacrificetoanysuffering,anywant,anyneed

of your fellow man is a humble recognition that this life is meaningless, ademonstrationthatyouacknowledgeeternitywiththeCreatorinthenextworldtobe theconsequentialconcern.Yes?Bysacrificingyouareavowing thatyoudonotvalueman’srealmovereternity,theCreator’srealm.Therefore,sacrificeis the price, the small price, the pittance, that you pay for your soul’s eternalglory. It’s your proof to the Creator that you areworthy of that eternity withHim.”Richardwasamazed to seehoweasily sucha rationale—deliveredbyNicci

withconfidence,command,andauthority—intimidatedJebraintosilence.WhilelisteningasNiccitoweredoverher,Jebrahadoccasionallyglancedtotheothers,toZedd, toCara, toShota, even toAnn andNathan, but seeingnoneof themofferinganyobjectionorcounterarguments,hershouldersbegantohunchasifshewishedshecoulddisappearintoacrackinthemarblefloor.“If you confine your concerns to being happy in this life”—Nicci casually

sweptanarmout,indicatingtheworldaroundherassheglidedregallybackandforth before them—”if you dare to revel in the senseless trivialities of thiswretchedworld,thismeaningless,briefexistence,thatisarejectionofyourall-importanteternalnextlife,andthusarejectionoftheCreator’sperfectplanforyoursoul.“WhoareyoutoquestiontheCreatorofalltheuniverse?Howdareyouput

your pettywishes for your insignificant, pathetic little life aheadofHis grandpurposeofpreparingyouforallofeternity?”Niccipaused, foldingher armswithakindofdeliberatecare that implieda

challenge.AlifetimeofindoctrinationgavehertheabilitytoexpresstheOrder’scarefullycraftedtenetswithdevastatingprecision.Seeingherstandingthereinher pink nightdress somehow only seemed to underscore her derision of thetriviality of life. Richard remembered all too well Nicci delivering that verysame message to him, only at the time she had been deadly serious. JebraavoidedNicci’spiercinggaze,insteadfixingherstareonherhandsnestedinherlap.

“Tobring thewaysof theOrder tootherpeople,Galea for example,”Niccisaid as she resumed her pacing lecture, “many of theOrder’s soldiers had todie.”Sheshrugged.“Butthatistheultimatesacrifice—one’slife—inanefforttobringenlightenmenttothosewhodonotyetknowhowtofollowtheonlyrightand truepath toglory in thenextworld. If aperson sacrifices their life in thestruggle on behalf of the Order to bring salvation to backward, ignorant, andunimportantpeople,thentheyearneternitywithHiminthenextworld.”Nicciliftedanarm,sheathedinthesatiny,pinkmaterialofthenightdress,asif

to revealsomethingmagnificentbut invisiblestandingright therebefore them.“Deathismerelythedoorwaytothatgloriouseternity.”Sheletthearmdrop.“Becauseanindividuallifeisunimportantinthescheme

ofthingsthatreallymatter,it’sobviousthatbytorturingandkillingindividualswhoresist,youareonlyhelpingtoswaythemassesoftheunenlightenedovertoenlightenment—so you are bringing those masses salvation, serving a moralcause,bringingtheCreator’schildrenhometoHiskingdom.”Nicci’sexpressionturnedasgrimasherpretensehadbeen.“Peoplewhoare

taught this from birth come to believe it with such blind zeal that they seeanyonelivinginanymannerother thanaccordingto theOrder’s teachings—inother words failing to pay the rightful price of sacrifice in return for eternalsalvation—asdeservingof an eternityof unimaginable agony in thedark colddepths of theKeeper’s realmof the underworld,which is exactlywhat awaitsthemunlesstheychangetheirways.“Veryfewpeoplewhogrowupunderthisindoctrinationhaveenoughoftheir

reasoningabilitystillintacttobeabletothinktheirwayoutofthisbewitchingcircular trap—nor do they want to. To them, to rejoice in life, to live forthemselves, is trading eternity for a brief and sinful frolic before a loomingdoom-without-end.“Since theymust forgo theenjoymentof this life, theyaregoing tobeonly

tooquicktonoticeanyonewhofailstosacrificeastheyshould,failstolivebythe canons of the Fellowship of Order. Besides, recognition of sinfulness inothersisdeemedavirtuebecauseithelpstodirectthosewhoneglecttheirmoraldutytoturnbacktothepathofsalvation.”Nicci leaned down toward Jebra and lowered her voice to a sinister hiss.

“Muchthesameaskillingnonbelieversisavirtue.Yes?”Nicci straightened. “Followers of the Order develop an intense hatred for

thosewho do not believe as they do.After all, theOrder teaches thatwickedsinners who refuse to repent are no less thanKeeper’s disciples. Death is nomorethansuchenemiesoftherighteousdeserve.”

Niccispreadherarmsinaforbiddinggesture.“Therecanbenodoubtaboutany of this since theOrder’s teachings are, after all,merely thewishes of theCreatorHimself,andthusdivinelyelicitedtruth.”Jebrawasnowclearlytoocowedtoofferanargument.Cara, on theotherhad,was clearlynot cowed. “Oh, really?” she said in an

even,butcontrary,tone.“I’mafraidthatthere’soneflyintheointment.Howdotheyknowallthis?Imean,howdotheyknowthattheafterlifeisreallyanythingatallliketheyportrayit?”Sheclaspedherhandsbehindherbackas she shrugged. “As far as Iknow,

theyhaven’tvisited theworldof thedeadand then returned.Howwould theyknowwhatit’slikebeyondtheveil?“Ourworldistheworldoflife,solifeiswhat’simportantinthisworld.How

dare they demean it by making our only life the price for somethingunknowable?Howcantheybegintoclaimthattheyknowanythingatallaboutthenatureofotherworlds?Imean,forallanyonereallyknows,thespiritworldcouldbeameretransitorystateasweslipintothenonexistenceofdeath.“Forthatmatter,howwouldtheFellowshipofOrderknowthatthesearethe

Creator’swishes—or thatHehasanywishesat all?”Cara’sbrowdrewdown.“HowdotheyevenknowthatCreationwasbroughtaboutbyaconsciousmindintheformofsomedivinebreedofking?”Jebralookedrelievedthatsomeoneelsehadfinallyobjected.Niccismiledinacuriousmannerandraisedaneyebrow.“There’sthetrickof

it.”Withoutlookingover,sheliftedherarmbacktowardAnn,standingacrossthe

roomintheshadows.“It’sthesamemethodbywhichthePrelateandherSistersof theLightknow their versionof the samegruel tobe true.Prophecy,or thehighpriests, or somehumblebut deeplydevout personhas heard the intimatewhispersofthedivine,orhasseenintoasacredvisionHehassentthem,orhasbeen visited in dreams. There are even ancient texts that profess to haveinfallibleknowledgeofwhatisbeyondtheveil.Suchloreismostlyacollectionofthesamekindofwhispersandvisionsanddreamsthatinthedistantpastweresetdownasfactandhavebecome‘irrefutable’simplybecauseitisold.“Andhowarewe toverify theveracityof this testimony?”Nicci swepther

armoutinagrandgesture.“Why,toquestionsuchthingsisthegreatestsinofall:lackoffaith!“Thevery fact that theunknowable is unknowable iswhat theyclaimgives

faith its virtue andmakes it sacrosanct.After all,whatwould be the virtue infaithifthatinwhichwehavefaithcouldbeknown?Apersonwhocanmaintain

absolutefaithwithoutanyproofwhatsoevermustpossessprofoundvirtue.Asaconsequence, only those who take the leap of faith off the bedrock of thetangibleintotheemptinessoftheimperceptiblearerighteousandworthyofaneternalreward.“It’sasifyouaretoldtoleapfromacliffandhavefaiththatyoucanfly,but

youmustnotflapyourarmsbecausethatwouldonlybetrayafundamentallackoffaithandanylackoffaithwouldinfalliblyinsurethatyouwouldplummettotheground,thusprovingthatafailureoffaithisapersonalflaw,andfatal.”Nicciranherfingersbackintoherblondhair,liftingitoffhershoulders,and

then,withasigh,sheletherarmsdrop.“Themoredifficulttheteachingsaretobelieve,thegreatertherequiredleveloffaith.Alongwiththecommitmenttoahigherlevelofunquestioningfaithcomesatighterbondtothosewhosharethatsamefaith,agreatersenseofinclusioninthespecialgroupoftheenlightened.Believers, because their beliefs are so manifestly mystic, become ever moreestranged from the ‘unenlightened,’ from those who are suspect because theywill not embrace faith.The term ‘nonbeliever’ becomes a commonly acceptedform of condemnation, demonizing anyone who chooses”—Nicci tapped afingertohertemple—”tosticktotheuseofreason.“Faith itself, you see, is the key—themagicwand that theywave over the

bubblingbrewtheyhaveconcoctedtorenderit‘self-evident.’“Ann,despitetheglareofcontemptforaSisteroftheLight-turned-traitor-to-

the-cause,offerednoargument.Richardthoughtitararechoiceonherpart,andonethatatthatmomentwasparticularlywise.“There,” Nicci said, shaking a finger as she paced, barefoot, “there is the

crackintheOrder’simposingtowerofteachings.Thereisthefatalflawatthecenterofallconvictionscontrivedintheimaginationofmen.Suchthingsintheend,eventhoughtheymaybesincere,arenothingmoresolidthantheelaborateproductofwhimsyandself-deception.Intheend,withouttherockofreality,aninsane person who hears voices in their head is equally sincere and equallycredible.“ThatiswhytheOrdervauntsthesanctityoffaithandteachesthatyoumust

dismiss the wicked impulse to use your head, that youmust instead abandonyourself to your feelings. Once you surrender your life to blind faith in theiraccount of the afterlife, they claim that then, and only then, the doorway toeternitywillmagicallyopenforyouandyouwillknowall.“In other words, knowledge is to be gained only through rejection of

everythingthatactuallycomprisesknowledge.“This is why theOrder equates faithwith holiness, andwhy its absence is

deemedtobesinful.Thisiswhyevenquestioningfaithisheretical.“Withoutfaith,yousee,everythingtheyteachunravels.“And since faith is the indispensableglue that binds together their teetering

tower of beliefs, faith eventually gives birth to brutality.Without brutality toenforce it, faith ends up being nothing more than a fanciful daydream, or aqueen’s empty belief that no one will attack her throne, that no enemy willbreach the borders, that no force can overthrow her defenders, if she merelyforbidsit.“Afterall,Idon’tneedtothreatenyoutogetyoutoseethatthewaterinthat

fountainiswetorthatthewallsofthisroomareconstructedfromstone,buttheOrdermustthreatenpeopletomakethembelievethataneternityofbeingdeadwillbeaneternaldelight,butonlyiftheydoasthey’retoldinthislife.”Assheglaredintothestillwatersofthefountain,RichardthoughtthatNicci’s

blueeyesmightturnthatwatertoice.Thecoldrageinthoseeyeswasbornofthingsshehadseeninher life thathecouldnotbegintoimagine.Onthedarkandquieteveningsalonewithher,thethingsshehadbeenwillingtoconfideinhimwereterribleenough.“It’s a lot easier to convince people to die for your cause if you firstmake

themeager todie,”Niccisaid inabittervoice.“It’sa loteasier togetboys tobare their breasts to arrows and swords if they have faith that doing so is aselflessactthatwillmaketheCreatorsmileandwelcomethemintotheeternalgloryintheafterworld.“Once theOrder teaches people to be true believers,what they have really

doneis toforgemonsterswhowillnotonlydiefor thecause,butkill for itaswell.Truebelieversareconsumedbyanimplacablehatredforthosewhodon’tbelieve. There is no more dangerous, no more vicious, no more brutal anindividualthanonewhohasbeenblindedbytheOrder’sbeliefs.Suchabelieverisnotshapedbyreasonsoheisnotboundbyit.Asaconsequence,thereisnomechanismofrestraintonhishatred.Thesearekillerswhowillonlytoohappilykill for the cause, absolutely secure in the knowledge they are doing the rightandthemoralthing.”Nicci’sknucklesstoodoutwhiteandbloodlessasherfiststightened.Though

theroomseemedtoringwiththesudden,terriblesilence,thepowerofherwordsstill echoed through Richard’smind. He thought that the strength of the auracrackling around her might provoke a sudden lightning storm within theanteroom.“As I said, the premise is pretty simple.” Nicci shook her head in bitter

resignation, theemotiondrainingfromherbleakpronouncement.“Formostof

thepeopleoftheOldWorld,andnowthepeopleoftheNewWorld,thereisnochoicebuttofollowtheOrder’steachings.Iftheirfaithwaverstheyaresternlyreminded of the eternity of unimaginable suffering that awaits the faithless. Ifthatfailstowork,then’faithwillbedrivenintothembythepointofasword.”“But there must be some way to redeem these people,” Jebra said at last.

“Isn’t there a way to bring them to their senses and get them to cast off theteachingsoftheOrder?”NiccilookedawayfromJebratostareoffintothedistance.“Iwasbroughtup

frombirthundertheOrder’steachingsandIcametomysenses.”Stillstaringoffintoadarkstormofmemories,shefellsilentforamoment,as

ifshewererelivingherseeminglyendlessstruggletograspatlife,toescapethehauntingclutchesoftheOrder.“But you cannot imagine howprofoundly difficult itwas forme to emerge

fromthatrealmofdarkbeliefs.Idoubtthatanyonewhohasnotbeenlostinthesuffocatingworldof theOrder’s teachings canbegin tograspwhat it’s like tobelievethatyourlifeisworthlessandofnovalue,orgrasptheshadowofterrorthat falls over you every timeyou try to turn away fromwhat you have beentaughtisyouronlymeansofsalvation.”HerwaterygazehesitantlydriftedtoRichard.Heknew.Hehadbeenthere.He

knewwhatitwaslike.“I was redeemed,” she whispered in a broken voice, “but it was far from

easy.”JebralookedencouragedbywhatRichardknewwasnorealencouragement.

“Butitworkedforyou,”shesaid,“somaybeitwillworkforothers.”“She is different frommost of those under the spell of theOrder,”Richard

saidashegazedintoNicci’sblueeyes,eyesthatbetrayedthenakedemotionofhowmuchhemeanttoher.“Shewasdrivenbyaneedtounderstand,toknow,ifwhatshehadbeentaughttobelievewastrueoriftherewasmoretolife,iftherewassomethingworthlivingfor.“MostofthosetaughtbytheOrderhavenosuchdoubts.Theyblockoutthose

kindsofquestionsandinsteadtenaciouslyclingtotheirbeliefs.”“Butwhatmakesyouthinkthattheywon’tchange?”Jebradidn’tlookready

toabandonthethreadofhope.“IfNiccichanged,thenwhycan’tothers?”StillgazingintoNicci’seyes,Richardsaid,“Ithinkthey’reabletoblockout

anydoubtinwhattheybelievebecausethey’veinternalizedtheirindoctrination,no longer viewing it as specific ideas that have been drilled into them. Theybegintoexperiencetheideasthey’vebeentaughtasfeelings,whichevolveintopowerfulemotionalconviction. I think that’s the trick to theprocess.Theyare

convincedwithin their ownminds that they are experiencing original thoughtratherthanthosediscreteideasthathavebeentaughttothemastheygrewup.”Nicciclearedher throatasshe lookedawayfromRichard’sgazeand turned

herattentiononcemoretoJebra.“I think Richard is right. I was aware of that very thing within my own

thinking, aware of that inner conviction that was actually born of a carefullycraftedmannerofinstruction.“Somepeoplewhosecretlyvalue their liveswill join ina revolt if theycan

seethatthereisarealisticchancetowin—that’swhathappenedinAltur’Rang—butifthereisn’tthatchancethentheyknowthattheymustrepeatthewordsthatthe followers of the Order want to hear or risk losing their most valuablepossession: life.Under theOrder’s rule,youbelieveas they teachyou,oryoudie.It’sassimpleasthat.“Therearepeople in theOldWorldworking to join together thosewhowill

revolt, working to set the fires of freedom for those who want to seize anopportunity to control their own destiny. So there are thosewho trulywant achanceatfreedomandwillacttogainit.Jagang,too,knowsofsucheffortsandhassenttroopstocrushthoserevolts.ButIalsoknowonlytoowellthatmostofthepeopleoftheOldWorldwouldneverwillinglycastofftheirbeliefs;theyseedoingsoassinful.Theywillworktoruthlesslycrushanyuprising.Ifneedbe,theywillclingtotheirfaithrightintotheirgraves.Theones—”Shota irritably lifted a hand, cutting Nicci off. “Yes, yes, some will, some

won’t.Manywiffle-waffle.Itdoesn’tmatter.Hopingforarevoltispointless.It’sjustidlewishingforsalvationtoarriveoutoftheblue.“ThelegionsofsoldiersfromtheOldWorldarehere,now,intheNewWorld,

soit’stheNewWorldthatwemustworryabout,nottheOldWorldandwhatthemood for revolt might or might not be. The Old World, for the most part,believesintheOrder,supportstheOrder,andencouragestheOrdertoconquertherestoftheworld.”Shotaglidedforward,directingameaningfullookatRichard.“Theonlyway

forcivilization tosurvive is tosend the invadingsoldiersof theOrder throughthatdoorway to their longed-foreternity in theworldof thedead.There isnoredeeming thosewhosemindsare lost tobeliefs theyareeager todie for.TheonlywaytostoptheOrderandtheirteachingsistokillenoughofthemthattheycan’tcontinue.”“Paindoeshaveawayofchangingpeople’sminds,”Carasaid.ShotagavetheMord-Sithanodofapproval.“Iftheycometotrulyunderstand

without anydoubt that theywill notwin, that their effortswill lead to certain

death,thenperhapssomewillabandontheirbeliefandcause.Itverywellcouldbe that despite their faith in the teachings of theOrder, few of (hem actually,deepdowninside,reallywanttodietotestit.“Butwhat of it?Does that reallymatter to us?Whatwe do know is that a

great many really are so fanatical that they welcome death. Hundreds ofthousands have already died, proving that they really arewilling tomake thatsacrifice.Therestofthesemenmustbekilledortheywillkillusallanddoomtherestoftheworldtoalong,grindingdescentintosavagery.“Thatiswhatweface.Thatistherealityofit.”

Chapter16ShotaturnedahotlookonRichard.“Jebrahasshownyouwhatwillhappenat

the hands of these soldiers if you don’t stop them. Do you think those menentertainanyrationalnotionsof themeaningof their lives?Orthat theymightjoininarevoltagainsttheOrderifgivenachance?Hardly.“I’mhere toshowyouwhathasalreadyhappened tomanyso thatyouwill

understandwhatisisgoingtohappentoeveryoneelseifyoudon’tdosomethingtostopit.“A precise understanding of how the soldiers of theOrder came to be, the

choicestheyhavemadeintheirlivesthatbroughtthemrampagingintothelivesofinnocentpeople,andthereasonsbehindthosechoices,arebeyondbeingourconcern. They are what they are. They are destroyers, killers. They are here.Thatisall thatmatters,now.Theymustbestopped.If theyaredead,theywillceasetobeathreat.It’sassimpleasthat.”Richardwonderedhowin theworldsheexpectedhim toaccomplishsucha

“simple”thing.ShemightaswellbeaskinghimtopullthemoondownoutoftheskyanduseittocrushtheImperialOrderarmy.As if readinghismind,Nicci spokeup again. “Wemayall agreewithyou,

witheverythingyouhavecomeheretosay—andinfactwedidn’tneedyoutotelluswhatwealreadyknow,asifyouthinkuschildrenandonlyyouarewise.Butyoudon’tunderstandwhatyou’reasking.ThearmythatJebrasaw,thearmythatmarched up intoGalea and so easily crushed their defenses and killed somanypeople,isaminorandratherinsignificantunitoftheImperialOrder.”“Youcan’tbeserious,”Jebrasaid.NiccifinallywithdrewherglarefromShotaandlookedatJebra.“Didyousee

anygifted?”“Gifted?Why,no,Iguessnot,”shesaidafteramoment’sthought.“That’s because they didn’t warrant having their own gifted to command,”

Niccisaid.“Iftheyhadgifted,Shotawouldnothavebeenabletosoeasilygetinthereandthentakeyourightoutoftheplace.Buttheyhadnogifted.They’rearelativelyminorforceandassuchthey’reconsideredexpendable.“That’swhy thesupplies tookso long to reach them.All supplies firstwent

northtoJagang’smainforce.Oncetheyhadwhattheyneededtheythenallowedsupplies to go to other units, like the one up in Galea. They are only one ofJagang’sexpeditionaryforces.”“But you don’t understand.” Jebra stood. “They were a huge army. I was

there.Isawthemwithmyowneyes.”Shedry-washedherhandsassheglancedaround at everyone in the room. “I was there, working for themmonth after

month.Isawhowmassivetheirnumberswere.HowcouldInotgrasptheextentoftheirforces?I’vetoldyouaboutalltheyaccomplished.”Unimpressed,Niccishookherhead.“Theywerenothing.”Jebralickedherlips,distresssettlingintoherexpression.“PerhapsIhavenot

doneanadequatejobofdescribingit,ofmakingclearjusthowmanysoldiersoftheOrder invadedGalea. I’m sorry that I’ve failed inmaking you understandhoweasilytheycrushedallthosedetermineddefenders.”“Youdidaverygoodjobofreportingaccuratelywhatyousaw,”Niccisaidin

agentlertoneasshesqueezedthewoman’sshoulderinsympatheticreassurance.“Butyouonlysawapartofthewholepicture.Thepartyousaw,frighteningasitsurelywas,wasinsignificantcomparedtotherestofit.WhatyousawcouldnotbegintoprepareyouforseeingthemainforceledbyEmperorJagang.I’vespenta great deal of time in Jagang’smain encampments; I knowwhat I’m talkingabout. Compared to their main force, the one you saw does not qualify asimposing.”“She’s right,”Zeddsaid inagrimvoice.“Ihate toadmit it,but she’s right.

Jagang’smainarmyisvastlymorepowerfulthantheonethatinvadedGalea.IfoughttoslowtheiradvanceupthroughtheMidlandsastheysteadilydroveusbacktowardAydindril,soIoughttoknow.Seeingthemcomeislikewatchingthe approach of uncountableminions of the underworld come to swallow theliving.”He looked stoic in his simple robes, standing at the top of the five steps,

watching, listening to what others had to say. Richard knew, though, that hisgrandfatherwasanythingbutindifferent.Zedd’swaywasoftentolistentowhatothershad tosaybeforehehadhis say. In this instance therewasnoneed forhimtocorrectanythingthathe’dheard.“If the Order troops in Galea have no gifted,” Jebra said, “then perhaps if

someofthosewiththegiftweretogothereyoucouldeliminatethem.Perhapsyoucouldsavethosepoorpeoplewhoarestillalive,whohaveenduredsomuch.Itisnottoolatetoatleastsavesomeofthem.”Richard thought thatwhat shewas really asking, but feared to speak aloud,

wasifthiswasonlyaminorforcewithnogiftedamongthem,thenwhyhadn’tsome of those present done something to stop the slaughter she’d witnessed.BeforeRichard had ever left hiswoods ofHartland, hemight verywell haveharbored thesamevaguesenseofresentmentandanger toward thosewhohadnotdoneanythingtosavethem.Nowhefeltthetormentofknowinghowmuchmoretherewastoit.Nicci shook her head, dismissing the idea. “It’s not so feasible as it might

seem.Thegiftedmightbeabletotakeoutalargenumberoftheenemyandforatime create havoc, but even this expeditionary force has sufficient numbers towithstandanyattackbythegifted.Zedd,forexample,couldusewizard’sfiretomowdownranksofsoldiers,butashepausedtoconjuremoretheenemywouldbesendingwaveuponwaveofmenathim.Theymight losea lotofmen,buttheyarenotdeterredbystaggeringcasualties.Theywouldkeepcoming.Theywould throw rankafter rankofmen into theconflagration.Despitehowmanywoulddie,theywouldsoonenoughoverwhelmevenoneastalentedastheFirstWizard.Andthenwherewouldwebe?“Even something as simple as a band of archers could take down a gifted

person.”SheglancedatRichard.“Allittakesisonearrowfindingitsmark,andagiftedpersonwilldiethesameasanyother.”Zedd spread his hands in a gesture of frustration. “I’m afraid that Nicci is

right.Intheend,theOrderwouldbeinthesameplacewiththesameresult,evenifwithfewermen.We,ontheotherhand,wouldbewithoutthosewiththegiftthatwe sent against them.Theycan replenish their troopswithnearly endlessreinforcements, but there will be no legions of gifted coming to our aid. Ascallousasitmayseem,ouronlychanceliesnotwiththrowingourlivesawayina futile battle thatwe know has no chance of success, butwith being able tocomeupwithsomethingthathasarealchancetowork.”Richardwishedthathebelievedthattherewassomesolution,someplan,that

hada real chance towork.Hedidn’t think, though, that therewasanychancethattheycoulddoanythingotherthanprolongtheend.Jebranodded,herglimmerofhopesparkingout.Thedeepcreasesthatlenta

sagginglooktoherfacealongwiththelastingwebofwrinklesatthecornersofherblueeyesmadeher lookolder thanRichard suspected she reallywas.Hershoulderswere slightly rounded, and her hands rough and callused from hardlabor.EventhoughthemenoftheOrderhadnotkilledher,theyhadsappedthelife out of her, leaving her forever scarred bywhat she had been through andwhatshe’dbeenforcedtowitness.Howmanyotherswerethere,likeher,alivebutforeverwitheredunderthebrutalityoftheoccupyingforces,hollowshellsoftheirformerselves,aliveontheoutsidebutlifelessinside?Richard feltdizzy.Hecouldhardlybelieve thatShotawouldbringJebraall

thiswaytoconvincehimofhowterribletheOrderreallywas.Healreadyknewthe truthof theirbrutality,of thenatureof their threat.He’d livedfornearlyayearintheOldWorldundertherepressionoftheOrder.HehadbeenthereatthestartoftherevoltinAltur’Rang.Jebra’sfirsthandtestimony,ifanything,wasonlyhelpingtoconvincehimof

whathealreadyknew—that theydidn’t standachanceagainst Jagangand theImperialOrder forces. The entireD’HaranEmpirewould probably have beenable to stop the unit that had descended upon Galea, but that was nothingcomparedwiththemainarmyoftheImperialOrder.Back when he’d first met Kahlan he’d fought hard to stop the threat to

everyonebroughtbyDarkenRahl.Asdifficultasithadbeen,Richardhadbeenable toend that threatbyeliminatingDarkenRahl.Heknew, though, that thisthreatwasdifferent.Asmuchashehated Jagang,Richardknew thathecouldnotthinkofthisinthesametermsasthelastbattle.EvenifhecouldsomehowkillJagang, thatwouldnotstop themenaceof theImperialOrder.Theircausewasmonolithic,ideological,notdrivenbytheambitionsofoneindividual.Thatwaswhatmadeitallseemsohopeless.Shota’svision—whatsheforesawintheflowoftimeastheworld’shopeless

futureiftheyfailedtodosomethingtostoptheImperialOrder—certainlydidn’tseemtoRichardtohaverequiredanygreattalentorspecialsight.Hedidn’tneedtobeaprophettoseehowdireathreattheOrderwas.Ifnotstopped,theywouldrule theworld. Jebra, in that sense,had toldhimnothingnew,nothing thathedidn’talreadyknow.Richardrecognizedalltoowellthat,thewaythingsstood,whentheforcesof

theD’HaranEmpire finallymet Jagang’s army in the final battle, those bravemen,whowere all that stood in theOrder’sway,were all going to die.Afterthat, therewouldbenoopposition to theImperialOrder.Theywouldrampageuncheckedandintheendtheywouldruletheworld.Shotawas far fromstupid, sosheobviouslyknewall that,andhad toknow

thathewouldknowitaswell.So,hewondered,whywasshereallythere?DespitehisdarkmoodoverJebra’sfrighteningaccountofwhatshehadseen,

RichardhadtothinkthatShotaverylikelyhadsomeotherreasonforhervisit.Still,Jebra’sstoryhadbeendifficulttolistentowithoutitstirringnotonlyhis

anguish,buthisanger.Richardturnedawayandstaredintothestilledwaterofthe fountain.He felt theweight of gloom settling around his shoulders.Whatcouldhedoaboutanyofit?ItfeltasifthisandalltheothertroublespressinginaroundthemwerepushingKahlanawayfromhisthoughts,awayfromhim.At times she hardly even seemed real to him.Hehated itwhenever he had

suchathought.Sometimes,whenherememberedherwit,orthewayshesmiledso easily when she rested her wrists on his shoulders and locked her fingerstogetherbehindhisneckandgazedathim,orherbeautifulgreeneyes,orhersoftlaugh,orhertouch,orthetightsmileshegavenoonebuthim,sheseemed

morelikeaphantomwhoexistedsolelyinhisimagination.The very thought of Kahlan not being real sent a spike of tingling dread

surgingupthroughhisinsides.Hehadlivedwiththatnumbingfearforalong,dark period. It had been terrifying to be alone in his belief that she existed,terrifying to doubt his own sanity, until he had at last found the truth of theChainfirespellandconvincedtheothersthatshewasindeedreal.Now,atleast,hehadtheirhelp.Richardmentally shookhimself.Kahlanwas no phantom.Hehad to find a

waytogetheroutoftheclutchesofSisterUliciaandtheothertwoSistersoftheDark.Itdidn’thelp,though,thatthethoughtofKahlanbeingacaptiveofsuchruthless women caused him such anguish that he sometimes couldn’t bear tothinkaboutit,tothinkofwhatterriblethingstheymightdotothewomanwhowashisworld, thewomanhe lovedmore than life itself, andyethecouldnotmakehismindfocusonanythingelse.Despite what Shota believed he should do, Richard had to remember that,

besidesKahlanbeinglost in thevortexof theChainfirespell, therewereotherominous dangers, like the boxes of Orden being in play, and the damage leftbehindbythechimes.Hecouldn’tignoreeverythingelsejustbecausethewitchwoman camemarching in to tell himwhat she thought he shoulddo. It couldevenbethatShota’struegoalwassomecomplexscheme,somehiddenagenda,involving this other witch woman, Six. There was no telling what Shota wasreallyupto.Still,Richardhadcometohavegreatrespectforher,ashadKahlan,evenifhe

didn’tentirelytrusther.WhileShotaoftenseemedtobeaninstigatoroftroubleitwas not necessarily because shewas deliberately trying to cause him grief;sometimes her intent was to help him and at other times she was simply themessengeroftruth.Andwhileshewasalwaysrightinthethingssherevealedtohim, those things almost always turned out to be true in ways Shota hadn’tpredicted—oratleastinwaysshehadn’trevealed.AsZeddoftensaid,awitchwomannevertoldyousomethingyouwantedtoknowwithoutalsotellingyousomethingyoudidn’twanttoknow.Thefirst timehemether,Shotahadsaid thatKahlanwould touchhimwith

herpowerandsoheshouldkillhertopreventthatfromhappening.Asitturnedout,KahlandiduseherConfessor’stouchonhim,butthatwashowhehadbeenable to trick Darken Rahl and defeat him. Shota had been right, but it hadhappenedinamannerthatturnedouttobevastlydifferentfromthewayshe’dpresented it. Even though she had been right, strictly speaking, if he hadfollowedheradviceDarkenRahlwouldhavesurvivedtounleashthepowerof

Ordenandrulethemall,ortheonesleftalive.InthebackofhismindlurkedthepredictionShotahadmadethatifRichard

marriedKahlanshewouldbearachildthatwouldbeamonster.HeandKahlanhad been wed. Surely that prediction would not turn out the way Shota hadpresentediteither.SurelyKahlanwouldnotgivebirthtoamonster.ItwasZeddwhofinallyspoke,bringingRichardoutofhisprivatethoughts.

“WhateverhappenedtoQueenCyrilla?”The roomwasdeadstill fora timebeforeJebraanswered.“Itwasas ithad

beeninmyvision.Shewashandedovertothelowestofthesoldierstouseastheywished.Theywereeagertogetattheirprize.Itwentverybadlyforher.Herworstfearscametopass.”Zeddcockedhishead,apparentlybelievingthat therewasmoretothestory.

“Sothatwasthelastyousawofher?”Jebrafoldedherhandsbeforeherself.“Notexactly.Oneday,asIwasrushing

todeliveraplatteroffreshlyroastedbeef,IcameuponaraucousgroupofmenplayingagamethattheImperialOrdertroopswereveryfondofwatching.Thereweretwoteamswiththegatheredmenshoutingandyellingthemon.Themenwereallbettingonwhichteamwouldwin.Idon’tknowwhatthegamewas—”“Ja’La,”Niccisaid.WhenJebraturnedtolookather,Niccisaid“Thegameis

called Ja’La. In theory it’s a game of athletic ability, skill, and strategy; inpractice,undertherulestheOrderplaysitby,Ja’Laisallofthatandinadditionit’s quite brutal. Ja’La is Jagang’s favorite sport.He has a teamof his own. Irememberoncewhenthey lostagame.Thewhole teamwasput todeath.Theemperor soon had a new team of the most skilled, toughest, most physicallyimposingplayers tobefound.Theydidnot lose.Thefullnameof thegameisJa’LadhJin.InEmperorJagang’snativetongueitmeans‘thegameoflife.’“Jebrafrownedinrecollection.“Yes,IguessIdorecallhearingitcalledJa’La.

I always saw itplayedwithaheavyball.Aballheavyenough toonoccasionbreakthebonesoftheplayers.”“Theballiscalledabroc,”Richardsaidwithoutturning.Nicciglancedoverathim.“That’sright.”“Well,”Jebrasaid,resumingherstory,“onthisparticularday,asIwastaking

theplattertothecommanders,Ihadtogototheplacewherethegamewasbeingplayed.Therewere thousandsof troopsgathered towatch. Iwasdirected toasmallstandforthecommandersandhadtomakemywaythroughthecheeringthrongs.Itwasaterrifyingjourney.Themensawtheironringofaslaveinmylipsononedaredtopullmeawaytotheirtents,butthatdidn’tstoptheirhandsonme.” Jebra’s gaze sought the floor. “Itwas something that I had to endure

oftenenough.”She finally lookedup.“WhenI reached thecommanders,downclose to the

playingfield,Isawthatthemenstartingupanewgameweren’tusingtheballthat they usually used.” She cleared her throat. “They were using QueenCyrilla’sheadfortheball.”Jebra sought to fill the uncomfortable silence. “Anyway, life in Galea had

beenchangedforever.Whatwasonceacenterofcommerceisnowlittlemorethan a vast army camp fromwhere continuing campaigns against someof thefreeareasoftheNewWorldarelaunched.Thefarmsoutinthecountry,runbyforcedlabor,don’tproduceastheyoncedid.Cropsfailorarepoor.TheneedsofthevastarmedforcesinGaleaarehuge.FoodisalwaysscarcebutthesuppliesthatregularlycomeupfromtheOldWorldkeepthesoldiersfedwellenoughtocarryon.“I worked day and night as a slave to the needs of the Imperial Order

commanders.IneveragainhadanyvisionsaftertheoneaboutQueenCyrilla.Itseemedodd tome to bewithoutmyvisions. I’d had themmywhole life, butafter that terrible vision aboutQueenCyrilla a couple of years back, nomorecame.MygiftasaSeerseemstohavevanished.Myvisionhasgonedark.”By the glance from Nicci, Richard knew that she suspected what he was

thinking.“Eventually,”Jebrasaid,“Iwasonedaysnatchedawayfromthemiddleofall

thosetroops.ItwasShotawhosomehowgotmeout.I’mnotentirelysurehowithappened.Ijustrecallthatshewastherewithme.Istartedtoasksomethingbutshe toldme to keepmymouth shut and to startwalking. I remember turningbackonce to lookand therewas thearmyspreadoutacross thevalleyandupintothehills,buttheywereagreatdistancebehindus.Idon’tknowhowithadhappened, really, that we were so far away.” She frowned into her dimmemories. “We were just walking. And here I am. I’m afraid, though, thatbecausemyvisionshavegonedarkIcannolongerbeofanyhelptoyou.”Richard thought she should know the truth, so he told her. “Your vision

probablywentdarkbecauseseveralyearsbackthechimeswereinthisworldforatime.Theywerebanishedbacktotheunderworld,butthedamagewasdone.Ithinkthatthepresenceofthechimesintheworldoflifebeganthedisintegrationofmagic.Itmustbethatitdisruptedyourability.Yourgiftedvisionisprobablylost,or,evenif it returnsinpartorfora time, itwilleventuallybecompletelyextinguished.”Jebralookeddazedbythenews.“MywholelifeIhavefrequentlywishedthat

Ihadneverbeenbornwith thevisionofaSeer. Inmanyways itmademean

outcast. I oftenwept at night,wishing to be free ofmy visions,wishing theywouldleavemebe.“Butnowthatyoutellmethatmywishhasbeengranted,Idon’tthinkthatI

everreallymeantit.”“That’s theproblemwithwishes,”Zeddsaidashesighed.“They tend tobe

thingsthat—”“Thechimes?”Shotainterrupted.Byhertoneofvoiceaswellasherfrown,

Richardknewthatshewasn’tinterestedinhearingaboutwishes.“Ifsuchathingweretrue,thenwhyhastherebeennootherevidenceofit?”“Therehasbeen,”Richardsaidwithashrug.“Creaturesofmagic,suchasthe

dragons,havenotbeenseeninthelastcoupleofyears.”“Dragons?” Shota coiled a long wavy lock of hair around a finger as she

appraisedhimsilentlyforamoment.“Richard,peoplecangoforalifetimeandnevercatchaglimpseofadragon.”“AndwhatofJebra’svisionsgoingdark?Afterthechimeswereinthisworld

her visions ceased.Likeother thingsofmagic, her unique ability is flickeringout.I’msurethatwearen’tevenawareofmostofthem.”“Iwouldbeawareofthem.”“Notnecessarily.”Richardrakedhishairbackoffhisforehead.“Theproblem

is,Chainfire—whichIfirstheardaboutfromyou—isaspellthatwasignitedbyfour Sisters of the Dark to make everyone forget Kahlan. That spell iscontaminated by the chimes, so besides Kahlan, people are forgetting otherthingsaswell,suchasdragons.”Shota lookedanythingbutconvinced.“Iwouldstillbeawareofsuch things

becauseofthewaytheyflowforwardintime.”“Andwhataboutthisotherwitchwoman,Six?Ithoughtthatyousaidthatshe

wasmaskingyourabilitytoseetheflowoftime.”Shota ignoredhisquestionandpulled the finger freeof the skeinofauburn

hair.Asshefoldedherarms.Heralmond-shapedeyesremainedfixedonhim.“IftheshadowoftheOrderdarkensmankind,noneofitwillmatter,now,will

it?Theywillputanendtoallmagic,aswellasallhope.”Richard didn’t answer. Instead he turned to the stillwaters, to his brooding

thoughts.Shotatiltedherhead,gesturingtowardthestepsasshespokequietlytoJebra.

“GoupthereandseeZedd.IneedtotalktoRichard.”

Chapter17As Shota glided closer to Richard she cast Nicci a threatening glare. He

wonderedwhyShotahadn’talsotoldNiccitogobackupthestepswithJebratotalk to Zedd.He surmised, though, that thewitchwoman probably knew thatNicciwouldn’tfollowanysuchorders.Hecertainlydidn’twanttoseetheminatest of wills. He had enough to worry about without those on the same sidebattlingamongthemselves.WhenRichard glanced over and saw Jebra ascending the steps he also saw

thatAnnandNathanhadalreadymadetheirwayaroundtheroomtostandnearhim as well. When she reached him, Zedd circled a comforting arm aroundJebra’s shoulders as hemurmuredwords of reassurance, but his gazewas onRichard.Richardappreciatedhisgrandfatherwatchingoutforhimandkeepinganeyeonthewitchwomanjustincaseshehadanyideasaboutpullingoneofhertricks.ZeddprobablyknewfarbetterthananyofthemjustwhatShotawascapable of.He alsoharbored a deepmistrust of thewoman, not sharing at allRichard’s view thatShota, at her core,was drivenby the same convictions astheywere.Asmuchashemightappreciatehercentralpurpose,Richardwaswellaware

thatShotasometimespursued thatpurpose inways thathad in thepastcausedhimnoendofgrief.Whatsheviewedashelpsometimesendedupbeingnothingbuttroubleforhim.HewasalltooawarethatShotaalsoonoccasionhadherownagenda—such

aswhenshehadgiventheswordtoSamuel.Richardsuspectedthatshewasuptosomethingnowaswell,hejustdidn’tknowwhatorwhatwasbehindit.Hewondered if it might have something to do with eliminating the other witchwoman.“Richard,”Shotasaidinasoft,sympathetictone,“youhaveheardthenature

oftheterrorthatisdescendinguponus.Youaretheonlyonewhocanstopit.Idon’tknowwhyitisso,butIdoknowthatitis.”Richard did not spare her for her gentle tone or her concern about their

commonenemy.“YoudaretoexpressyourdeepdistressoverthesufferinganddeathbroughtbytheOrderandyourconvictionthatonlyIcandosomethingtostop the threat,andyetyouconspired towithhold information just so thatyoucouldwresttheSwordofTruthfromme?”Shedidn’t rise to the challenge. “Therewasno conspiring, as youput it. It

was a fair trade—value for value.” Her voice remained serene. “Besides, theswordwouldnotbeofanyhelptoyouinthis,Richard.”“ApoorexcuseforyougivingittothatmurderousSamuel.”

Shotaarchedaneyebrow.“And,asitturnsout,hadInot,thenthoseSistersofthe Dark who stole the boxes of Orden would probably have united by now.With all three boxes together, they verywellmight have already opened one,verywellmight have already unleashed the power ofOrden, verywellmighthavealreadyturnedusallovertotheKeeperofthedead.Whatgoodwouldthesworddoyouiftheworldoflifewereended?ItseemsthatSamuel,forwhateverreason,haspreventedacataclysm.”“SamuelalsousedtheswordtokidnapRachel.Intheprocesshenearlykilled

Chase—andapparentlyintendedto.”“Useyourhead,Richard.Theswordservedusallbybuyingustime,evenifit

wasatacostthatnoneofuslikes.Whatareyougoingtodowiththetimeyounowhavethatyouotherwisewouldnot?Moretothepoint,whatgoodwouldthesworddoyou,now,againstthethreatoftheOrder?“Besides,withtheswordanyonecanbeaSeeker—apretendSeeker,anyway.

AtrueSeekerdoesnotneedtheswordtobetheSeeker.”Heknew that shewas right.Whatwould he dowith the sword?Try to cut

downtheImperialOrdersingle-handedly?JustasNiccihadexplainedtoJebrahow those with the gift could not overcome vast numbers just because theycould wieldmagic, the same applied to the sword. Still, Shota had given thesword to Samuel, and now Samuel seemed to be acting on the orders of adifferentwitchwoman,onewhoapparentlyhadnoone’sinterestatheartbutherown.Worse,what sense did itmake to fret over a singleweaponwhen somany

were dying at the hands of the Order, when that single weapon would notpreserve their livesor freedom?Richardknew that the swordwasnot the realweapon;themindthatdirecteditwaswhatreallymattered.HewasthetrueSeeker.Hewasthetrueweapon.Samuelcouldn’ttakethat.And yet, he had no idea what to do to stop the threat, to halt any of the

dangersclosinginaroundthem.Niccistoodnotfaraway—distantenoughtogiveShotaherchancetotalkto

him, but close enough to stepbetween them in an instant if the talk turned tothreats,ortosomethingNiccididn’tlike.RichardstaredintoNicci’sblueeyesamomentbeforeturningagaintomeet

Shota’sgaze.“Andjustwhatisitthatyouexpectmetodo?”Withoutbeingawareofhercomingcloser,hesuddenlyrealizedthathecould

feelShota’sbreathagainsthischeek.Itcarriedthefaintscentof lavender.Thefragrancefeltasifitdrewthetensionrightoutofhim.“WhatIexpect,”Shotasaidinanintimatewhisperasherarmslippedaround

hiswaist,“isforyoutounderstand.“Totrulyunderstand.”Distantlyalarmedbywhatmightbeherveiledintent,Richardthoughtthathe

should back out of her firm embrace. Before he couldmove amuscle, Shotaliftedhischinwithafinger.Inaninstant,hewaskneelinginthemud.Thesoundofthesteadydownpourroaredaroundhim,drummingontheroofs

andawnings,patteringinthepuddles,spatteringmudonthewallsofbuildings,on broken carts and on the legs of the milling mob. Soldiers in the distanceshouted orders. Bony horses, their heads hanging, their legs cakedwithmud,lookedmiserableastheystoodimpassivelyintherain.Agroupofsoldiersofftothe side laughedamong themselveswhile someothersnot far awaychatted intrivial,boredconversation.Nearbywagonsrumbledandbouncedastheyrolledslowly down a road,while in the distance a few dogs barked ceaselessly in amannerbornofhabit.Inthegloomylightoftheleadenovercasteverythinglookedamurkyshadeof

grayishbrown.Whenheglancedtohisright,Richardsawthattherewereothermenlinedup,kneelinginthemudbesidehim.Theirdrab,soddenclotheshunglimp from slumped shoulders. Their faces were ashen, their eyes wild withfright.Behindthemlurkedthemawofadeeppit,lookinglikenothingsomuchasadarkopeningintotheunderworlditself.Withagrowingsenseofurgency,Richardtriedtomove,toshifthisbalance,

so that he could scramble to his feet and defend himself. It was then that herealizedhiswristswereboundbehindhisbackwithwhatfeltlikeleatherthongs.Whenhetriedtotwistoutofthetightlywoundbindings,theleathercutdeeperintohisflesh.Heignoredthescaringpainandstrainedwithallhismight,buthecouldnotbreakfree.Anolddreadofbeinghelplesswithhishandstiedwelledupinhim.Allaroundhimtoweredhulkingsoldiers,some inarmormadeof leather,or

out of rusty metal discs, or chain mail, while still others wore nothing moreprotective than crude hide vests. Their weapons hung from wide belts andstudded straps. None of the weapons were ornate. Theywere simple tools oftheirtrade:kniveswithhomemadewoodenhandlesrivetedontotheheelsoftheblades; swords with leather wound around wooden grips to hold them to thetangs;macesmadeofcrudelycastironatopastouthickoryhandleorwrought-ironbar.Theircoarseconstructionmadethemnolesseffectivefortheirtask.Ifanything,thelackofadornmentservedtoemphasizetheironlypurposeandinsodoingonlymadethemlookallthemoresinister.

The greasy hair of those who didn’t shave their heads was matted by thesteadyrain.Somesoldiershadmultiple ringsorsharpenedmetalposts in theirears andnose.Thegrime layering their faces appeared impervious to the rain.Manyamanhada swathof adark tattooacrosshis face.Someof the tattooswere almost likemasks,while others swept over cheek and nose and brow inwild,snaking,dramaticdesigns.Theboldtattoosmadethemenlookallthelesshuman, all the more savage. The eyes of the soldiers flicked back and forth,seldompausingonanyonething,givingthementhelookofrestlessanimals.Richardhadtoblinktherainwateroutofhiseyestosee.Hetossedhishead,

flickingstrandsofhiswethairbackoffhisface.Itwasthenthathesawmentohis left aswell, someweepinghelplesslyas soldiersheldup thosewhowouldnot, or could not, kneel upright in the sloppy mud. The sense of panic waspalpable.ThefloodwatersofthatpanicspreadtoRichard,risingupthroughhim,threateningtodrownhim.Thiswasn’t real, he knew… but, somehow, it was. The rainwas cold. His

clothesweresoaked.Anoccasionalshiverrattledthroughhim.Theplacestankworse than anything he could ever remember, a combination of acrid smoke,stalesweat,excrement,andputrefyingflesh.Thecriesofthosearoundhimwerealltooreal.Hedidn’tthinkhewouldhavebeenabletoimaginemoanssodevoidof hope and at the same time so desperately frightened. Many of the mentrembleduncontrollably,anditwasn’tfromthecoldrain.Richardrealized,ashestaredatthem,thathewasoneofthem,muchthesameasthem,justoneofthemany on their knees in themud, one ofmanywith their hands bound behindtheirbacks.It was so impossible that it was disorienting; somehow he was there.

SomehowShotahadsenthimtothisplace.Hecouldnotconceiveofhowsuchathingcouldbepossible;hehadtobeimaginingit.A rock hidden beneath the mud dug painfully into his left knee. Such an

unforeseeable,trivialdetailseemedlikeithadtobereal.Howcouldhepossiblyimagine something so unexpected? He tried to shift his weight, but it wasdifficulttobalance.Hemanagedtopushhiskneetothesidealittle,offthesharprock.Hecouldn’tbeimaginingsuchathing.He began to wonder if it was everything else that he had actually been

imagining.Hewonderedifitallhadjustbeenadream,adiversion,atrickofhismind.He began towonder if it could be possible that theChainfire spell hadsomehowmadehimforgetwhatwasreallyhappening,or if realitywas justsoterrifying that he had somehowblocked it out of hismind,withdrawing to animaginaryworld, and now, suddenly, under the stress of the situation, he had

snappedbacktowhatwasreal.Hebegantorealizethat,evenifhedidn’tknowexactlywhatwasgoingonorhowhecouldbesoconfused,whatreallymatteredwasthatthisactuallywasrealandsomehowhewasonlynowawakeningtoit.Infact,that’sjustwhatitfeltliketohim,likehehadjustawakened,disorientedandconfused.Ifhehadbeenconfusedbefore,nowhewasdesperatelytryingtoremember,

tounderstandhowhehadcometobewherehefoundhimself,howhehadendedup on his knees in themud among ImperialOrder soldiers. It seemed like hecould almost remember how he had gotten there, almost recall it all, but itremainedjustoutofreach,likeaforgottenwordthatwaslostsomewhereinthedarkwellofthemind.Richard looked down the line to his left and saw a soldier grab a fistful of

man’shairandyankhisheadupright.Themanscreamed—short,terror-chokedsoundsdrivenbyaheavingchest.Richardcouldeasilyseethatdespitetheman’sfranticeffort,hehadnochanceofescape.ThesoundsofhistearfulpleasraisedgoosebumpsonRichard’sarms.Thesoldierbehindthekneelingmanbroughtalong,thinknifearoundinfrontoftheman’sexposedthroat.Again,Richardtriedtotellhimselfthathehadbeenrightbefore,thatitwasn’t

real, that hewas somehow just imagining it.But he could see the chip in theblade of the crudely honed knife, see the man swallowing over and over inpantingpanic,seethegrimgrinonthesoldier’ssmugface.Whentheknifesliceddeepacrosstheman’sthroat,Richardflinchedinshock

atthesight,asthemanflinchedwiththeshockofpain.The man thrashed, but the soldier holding him by the hair had no trouble

restraininghisvictim.Therain-slickedmusclesofhispowerfularmbulgedasheexerted more effort to cut down through the man’s throat a second time, fardeeper, and nearly all theway around.Blood, shockingly crimson in the graylight, gushed out with each beat of the man’s still throbbing heart. Richardwincedasthefreshsmellofitmadehisnostrilsflare.He tried to tell himself that itwasn’t real, yet, somehow, ashewatched the

manweaklytwisting,watchedasabibofbloodgrewdownthefrontofhisshirt,soakeddownthecrotchofhispants,itwasalltooreal.Withonefinaleffort,hisneckgapingopen,themankickedhisrightlegouttotheside.Thesoldier,stillholding theman by the hair, heaved him back into the pit. Richard heard thedeadweightsplashdownheavilyinthebottom.Richard’sheartpoundedagainsthischestwallsohardthathethoughtitmight

burst.Hefeltsick.Hethoughthemightvomit.Hestrainedfranticallytowrenchhis hands free, but the leather only cut deeper into his flesh. The rain was

washing sweat intohis eyes.The leather thongshadbeen inplace for so longthat justmovingagainst themburnedpainfullyenoughinto therawwounds tobring fresh tears to his eyes. That didn’t stop him, though. He grunted witheffort,puttingallhismuscleintothestruggletobreakhisbonds.Hecouldfeeltheleatherraspingagainsttheexposedtendonsinhiswrists.And then Richard heard his name called out. He instantly recognized the

voice.ItwasKahlan.Hiswholelifehammeredtoahaltwhenhelookedup,acrossthewayandinto

herdazzlinggreeneyes.Everyemotionhehadeverhadwashedthroughhiminan instant, leavingbehindakindofweakand terribleagony thatachedall thewaydowntothemarrowofhisbones.Hehadbeenseparatedfromherforsolong…Seeingher,seeingeverydetailofherface,seeingthelittlearchinthewrinkle

inherbrowthathehadforgottenabout,seeingtheexactwayherbuckcurvedasshe stood turned slightly, seeing the way her hair parted naturally under theweight of the rain, seeing her eyes, her beautiful green eyes, told him that hecouldnotpossiblybeimaginingit.Kahlanstretchedoutanarm.“Richard!”Thesoundofhervoiceparalyzedhim.Ithadbeensolongsincehehadheard

hersingularvoice,avoicethatfromthefirsttimehe’dmetherhadrivetedhimwith its intelligence, its clarity, its grace, its bewitching charm.But now therewasnoneofthatinhervoice.Allthosequalitieshadbeenstrippedawayuntilallthatwasleftwasanguishbeyondbearing.Matching the distress in her voice, Kahlan’s exquisite features twisted in

horroratseeinghimkneelinginthemud.Hereyeswererimmedwithred.Tearsstreameddownhercheeksalongwiththerain.Richardkneltfrozeninterror,frozenat thesightofher,rightthere,soclose

yetsofar.Frozentodiscoverthatshewasthere,inthemiddleofthousandsuponthousandsofenemytroops.“Richard!”Herarmdesperatelystretchingforhimagain.Shewastryingtogettohim,but

shecouldn’t.Shewasbeingheldbackbyaburlysoldierwithashavedhead.RichardnoticedforthefirsttimethatthebuttonsonKahlan’sshirtweregone,

rippedoff,sotheshirthungopen,exposinghertotheleersofthesoldiers.Butshedidn’tcare.SheonlywantedRichardtoseeher,asifthatwasallthat

mattered in life, as if that single sight of him was her whole life. As if she

neededonlythattolive.Apainfulknotswelledinhisthroat.Tearswelledup.Richardwhisperedher

name,tooshockedbythesightofhertobringforthmore.Frantic,Kahlanagainreachedoutforhim,strainingagainsttherestraintofthe

soldier’smeatyhand.Histightgripleftwhiteprintsofhisfingersinthefleshofherarm.“Richard!Richard,Iloveyou!Dearspirits,Iloveyou!”Asshetriedtotearaway,tolungetowardhim,thesoldiercircledapowerful

armaroundhermiddle,insideheropenshirt,holdingherback.Themanreachedaroundand,with a finger and thumb, seizedKahlan’snipple, twisting it asheglancedup,grinningwithmeaning,makingsurethatRichardsawwhathewasdoing.A small cry of surprised pain escaped Kahlan’s throat, but otherwise she

ignoredthesoldier,insteadscreamingRichard’snameinabjectterror.Firedbyrage,Richardfuriouslytriedtogettohisfeet.Hehadtogettoher.

ThesoldierlaughedashewatchedRichardstruggle.Therewasnowayanotherchancewouldcomealong.Thiswasit;thiswouldbehisonlychance.Ashebegantoforcehiswaytohisfeet,aguardrammedabootintoRichard’s

gutsohardthat itdoubledhimover.Anothersoldierkickedhiminthesideoftheheadforgoodmeasure,stunninghimnearlysenseless.Theworlddimmed.Soundmeltedtogetherintoadulldrone.Richardstruggledtoremainconscious.Hedidn’twant tolosesightofKahlan.Therewasnosight inthewholeworldthatmeantmoretohimthanthesightofher.Hehadtofindawaytogetheroutofthemiddleofthisnightmare.Ashefoughttoregainhisbreath,thebighandofasoldierseizedhishairand

yanked him upright. Richard gasped, trying to draw a breath against thestupefyingpainoftheblows.Hefeltwarmbloodrunningdownthesideofhisface,washingcoldmuddownhisneck.Ashisheadwaspulledupright,Richard’sgazefellonKahlanagain,onher

longhairnowtangledandmattedbytherain.Hergreeneyesweresobeautifulthathe thoughthisheartmightburstwith thepainof seeingheragainbutnotbeingabletoholdherinhisarms.Hewantedsobadlytoholdherinhisarms,tocomforther,toprotecther.Instead,anothermanwasholdingherinhisarms.Shetriedtosquirmaway.

Hecuppedherbreast,squeezinguntilRichardcouldseethatitwashurtingher.She beat at himwith her fists, but he held her fast. He laughed at her futileeffortsashisgazeagainslidtoRichard.Kahlanfoughthim,butatthesametimeignoredwhathewasdoing,ignored

thedistraction.Whathewasdoingwasnotwhatmatteredmosttoher.Richardwaswhatmatteredmost.Herarmsfranticallystretchedouttowardhim.“Richard,Iloveyou!I’vemissedyousomuch!”Shewasovercomewithsobs

ofsheermisery.“Dearspirits,helphim!Please!Somebodyhelphim!”Tohis left, thenextmanin line triedwithallhismight tobackawayashis

throat was sliced deep. Richard could hear the man’s frantic gasps gurglingthroughthegashthatopeneduphiswindpipe.Richardfeltfaintwithpanic.Hedidn’tknowwhattodo.Magic.He shouldcallhisgift.Buthowwashe todo that?Hedidn’tknow

howtocallforthmagic.Andyet,inthepasthehadbeenabletodoit.Rage.Inthepasthisgifthadalwaysworkedthroughhisanger.SeeingthesoldierholdingKahlan,hurtingher,providedhimwithmorethan

enough anger. Seeing another of thosemonsters come in close to her, leeringdownather,touchingherintimately,onlyfannedthewildflamesofhisanger.Hisworldwentredwithrage.WitheveryfiberofhisbeingRichardtriedtoignitehisgiftwiththeessence

of that fury. He clenched his jaw, gritting his teeth with the monumentalconcentrationofhiswrath.Heshookwithrage,expectinganexplosionofpowerto match that rage. He saw what he needed to do. It seemed so close. Heimagineditcuttingdownthesoldiers.Heheldhisbreathagainstthestormthatwasabouttobeunleashed.It felt like falling unexpectedly,without anygroundbelowhim to catch his

fall.Theraincontinuedtoplungefromthegrayskyasiftodrownhiseffort.No

magic arced through the empty spacebetweenRichard and themanwhoheldKahlan.Noconjuredlightningerupted.Nojusticewasathand.Inallhislife,iftherewasanythingthere,thiswasthemomentitwouldhave

come—thatmuchheknewbeyond anydoubt.There couldbenomoreurgentneed,nomoredesire,nomorewrathforthewomanheloved.Butnopowerwasthere,noredemptionathand.Hemightaswellhavebeenbornwithoutthegift.Hehadnogift.Itwasgone.It felt to Richard as if the world was caving in around him. He wanted

everything to slow down, to give him time to find a solution, but everythingswirledinaterriblerush.Itwasallhappeningtoofast.Itwassounfairtohavetodielikethis.Hehadn’thadachancetolive,tohavealifewithKahlan.Helovedhersomuchandhehadn’treallybeenabletobewithher,justthetwoofthem,

livinginpeace.Hewantedtosmileandlaughwithher,toholdher,togothroughlifewithher.Justtositinfrontofafirewithheronacold,snowynight,holdingherclosetohim,safeandwarm,astheytalkedaboutthethingsthatmatteredtothem,abouttheirfuture.Theyshouldhaveafuture.It was so unfair. He wanted to live his life. Instead, it was to end in this

miserableplacefornogoodreason.Fornothing.Hewasn’tevenable tomakehisdeathmeansomething, todiefightingfor life.Instead,hewasgoingtodiehereintherainandmud,surroundedbymenwhohatedallthatwasgoodinlife,whileKahlanwasforcedtowatchithappen.Hedidn’twanthertoseethis.Heknewthatshewouldneverbeabletogetthe

sightof it outofhermind.Hedidn’twant to leaveherwith that last, horrificmemoryofhimstrugglinginthebloodythroesofdeath.Hemadeanotherattempttogetup,asdidmostoftheothermen.Thesoldier

behindhimsteppedonhiscalves,bearingdownwithallhisweight.Thepainfeltdistant.Richardwasinadaze.HewantednothingintheworldsomuchastogetKahlanawayfromthemen

whowereholdingher,gropingher.Kahlanscreamedinrageatthem,clawedatthem,swungherfistsat them,andat thesametimecriedinhelpless terrorforRichard.Hetwistedwithallhismightagainsttheleatherthongsbindinghiswristsbut,

ratherthanpart,theyonlycutdeeper.Hefeltlikeananimalcaughtinatrap.Hishandshadgonenumb.Hecouldnolongerfeelthewarmblooddrippingoffhisfingertips.Hedidn’twanttodie.Whatwashetodo?Hehadtostopthis.Somehow,he

had to.Buthedidn’tknowhow.In thepast,angerwas themeans toreachhisgift,tocallforthitspower.Now,therewasnothingbutahelplessconfusion.“Kahlan!”Hecouldn’tseemtohelphimselffrombeingsweptupintheterrorofit,inthe

blindpanicof it.Hecouldn’t stop theheadlong rushof it.Couldn’t regainhissenseofcontroloverhimself.Hewasbeingsweptawayinariverofeventshecouldnotcontrolorstop. Itwasallsosenseless. Itwasallsooverwhelminglypointless,somonumentallybrutal.“Kahlan!”“Richard!”shecriedas sheagain reachedout forhim.“Richard, I loveyou

morethanlife!Iloveyousomuch.You’reeverythingtome.Youalwayshavebeen.”Sobscaughtherbreath,turningthemtogasps.“Richard…Ineedyousobadly.”

Hisheartwasbreaking.Hefeltthathewasfailingher.AsoldierseizedRichardbythehair.“No!” Kahlan screamed, holding out a hand. “No! Please no! Somebody

pleasehelphim!Dearspirits,somebody,please!”Thesoldierleaneddown,acruelsmiletwistinghisgrime-streakedface.“Don’tworry,I’llseetoher…personally.”HelaughedinRichard’sear.“Please,”Richardheardhimselfsay,“please…no.”“Dearspirit,please,somebodyhelphim!”Kahlancriedtothosearoundher.Shecoulddonothingandsheknewit.Therewasnochanceforhimandshe

knewit.Shewasreducedtobeggingforamiracle.That,initself,fedtheflamesofhotdreadburningoutofcontrolwithinhim.Thiswas,theendofeverything.“She’sareallooker,”thesoldiersaidasheleeredacrossthewayatKahlan,

provingwhatRichardknew—thatnomiraclewasathand.“Please…leaveherbe.”Thesoldierbehindhimlaughed.Thatwaswhathehadwantedtohear.Richardwaschokingonthesobwellingupinhisthroat.Hecouldn’tbreathe

pastit.Tearsrandownhisfacealongwiththerain.Shewastheonlywomanhehadeverloved,theonepersonwhomeanteverythingtohim,meantmorethanlifeitselftohim.Without Kahlan there was no life, there was only existence. She was his

world.WithoutKahlanlifewasempty.Withouthim,heknew,Kahlan’slifewouldbejustasempty.He saw other women not far from Kahlan, all being held by soldiers, all

screamingfortheirmen.HesawthemsayingthingsmuchlikethethingsKahlanwassaying,offeringthesamewordsoflove,thesamecallsforsomeonetosavethem.Thesoldierstauntedthemenkneelinginthemudwithvileoaths.Seeing thewomen in the hands of the soldiers, one of the kneelingmen to

Richard’s rightstruggledhardenough toearnhimselfa lightning-quickstab tothegut.Itdidn’tkillhim,butitwasenoughtokeephimfromfightingwhilehewasmadetowaithisturn.Ashekneltstiffandstill,hiswideeyesstareddownathisownpink,glisteninginsidesslowlybulgingoutofthegash.Thescreamsoftheman’swifeseemedliketheycouldhavesplitthecloudsabove.The man immediately to Richard’s left gasped his last breath, thrashing in

uncoordinatedmovements as the soldier holdingup theman’shead sawed thelargeknifebackandforthacrossthevictim’sexposedthroat.Whenfinished,thesoldiergrowledwiththeeffortofheavingthedeadweightbackintotheopenpit.Richardheard thebody thuddown in thebottomof theopengraveatopother

bodies.Hecouldheargurglinggaspscomingfromthedarkhole.“Yourturn,”thesoldierholdingRichardsaidashesteppedaroundbehindhim

toassumetheroleofexecutioner.Themanleanedclose.Hisbreathstankofaleandsausage.“Ineedtofinishthis.I’veameetingwithyourlovelywifeassoonasI’mdonewithyou.Kahlan,isn’tit?Yes,that’sright—oneoftheotherwomenconfessedthatyourwife’snamewasKahlan.Don’tyouworry,lad,Iwon’tgiveKahlanmuch of a chance to grieve, reminiscing about you. I’ll have her fullattention—I can promise you that. After I’ve had my satisfaction from her,otherswillhavetheirturnonher.”Richardwantedtobreaktheman’sneck.“Thinkabout thatasyourwickedsoul slides into thedark,eternalagonyof

theunderworld,asyoufall intothecold,mercilessgraspoftheKeeper.That’swhere all your kind goes—to the justice of eternal suffering—and that’s as itshouldbe,seeingashowwe’veallsacrificedeverythingtocomeupheretothisforsakenlandsowecanbringdivineLightandthelawoftheOrdertoallyouselfish heathens. Your sinful way of life, your mere existence, offends theCreator—anditoffendsthoseofuswhobowtoHim.”Themanwasworkinghimselfupintoarighteousrage.“Doyouhaveany ideawhat I’vesacrificed for thesalvationof thesoulsof

your people?My familywent hungry,wentwithout—sacrificed—so that theycouldsendeverythingtoourcourageoustroops.MybrotherandIgaveourselvesovertothefightforourcauseandeverythingwebelievein.WebothcamenorthtodoourdutytoouremperorandourCreator.Webothdevotedourlivestothecauseofbringinggoodnesstoyoupeople.Wefoughtincountlessbloodybattlesagainstthosewhoresistoureffortsonbehalfofwhatisrightandjust.Wesawcountlessofourbrethrendieinthosebattles.“IsawthegloryofourarmyoftheOrdercontinueoninthefightforsalvation

whileyourpeoplesentthewickedgiftedagainstus.Thosegiftedconjuredevilmadeofmagic.Mybrotherwasblindedbysomeofthatmagic.Hescreamedinagonyasthatmagicbloodiedhiseyesandburnedhislungs.Theinfectionsthatswiftlybefellhimmadehiswholeheadswell,hissightlesseyesbulge.Hecouldonlymoaninagony.Welefthimtodiealone,sothatwecouldmoveoninournoblestruggle,aswasonlyright.“Yourwifeandthoselikeherwillnowsacrificethemselvestogiveusasmall

diversioninthismiserablelifeaswelaborinthatnoblestruggle.It’shersmallpaymentonadebtofgratitudeforwhatwehavegivenoverforourfellowmaninordertobringthewordoftheOrdertothosewhowouldotherwiseturnawayfromtheirdutytofaith.

“Someday your sinful wife will join you there in the darkness of theunderworld,butnotuntilafterwe’refinishedwithher.Justdon’texpecthertobejoiningyouanytimesoon,asIexpectshe’llbewhoringforthebravesoldiersof theOrder for some time to come,whatwith how themen like to get theirhands on a good-lookingwoman like her in order to take theirminds off thedrudgeryof theirhonorablework. Iexpectshe’llbekeptgoodandbusy,sincethereissomuchhonorableworktodo”—hewaggledhisknifebeforeRichard’seyes—”likethisbusinesshere.Withthereliefusmengetfromher,we’llhavethe strength to redouble our determination to eliminate all thosewhowill notsubmittothewaysoftheOrder.”It was insanity. Richard could hardly believe that there were men this

irrational,thisdevotedtosuchmindlessbeliefs,buttherewere.Theyseemedtoemerge everywhere,multiplying likemaggots, devoted to destroying anythingjoyfulandbeneficialtolife.Hechokedbackhiswords,hisrage.Nothingangeredmenlikethisasmuchas

reason or truth or life or goodness. Such qualities only incited such men todestroy.BecauseRichard knew that anything he saidwould only provoke themanandmakeitworseforKahlan,hekeptquiet.Thatwasallhecoulddoforher,now.Seeing that he had not goaded Richard into an appeal, the soldier laughed

againandthrewakisstowardKahlan.“Bewithyoushortly,love—soonasI’mdonedivorcingyoufromyourworthlesshusband,here.”Hewasamonster,shortlytobeheadedforthewomanRichardloved,toward

adefenseless,terrifiedwomanwhowasonlybeginningtosufferatthehandsofthesebrutes.Monster.CouldthisbewhatShotahadmeant?ThewitchwomanhadoncesaidthatifRichardandKahlanevermarriedand

laytogether,shewouldconceiveamonster.TheyhadalwaysassumedthatShotahadmeant that if they conceived a child, then their childwould be amonsterbecausethatchildwouldhaveRichard’sgiftandKahlan’sConfessorpower.ButmaybethatwasnotatalltherealmeaningbehindShota’sforetelling.Afterall,nothingShotawarnedthemabouteverturnedoutthewayshehad

made it seem, even the way she herself believed. Shota’s warnings andpredictionsalwaysseemedtocomeaboutinacompletelyunforeseenmanner,ina way that they had never even imagined, but at the same time Shota’spredictionshadalwaysturnedouttobetrue.WasthiswhatShota’spredictionhadreallymeant?Wasthisthecomplexset

ofeventsfinallyreachingtheclimaxofherprophecy?Shotahadwarned thememphatically not to marry or Kahlan would bear a monster child. They hadmarried. Could this be how Shota’s prophecy unfolded? Could this have allalongbeentherealmeaningbehindherwarning?Werethesemonsterstosireamonster?Richard was choking on his tears. His death would not be the worst of it.

Kahlanwouldsuffer theworstof it,suffera livingdeathat thehandsof thosebrutes,mothertheirmonster.“Richard,youknowI loveyou!That’sall thatmatters,Richard—thatI love

you!”“Kahlan,Iloveyou,too!”He couldn’t think of anythingmore to say—anythingmoremeaningful.He

guessedthattherewasnothingmoremeaningful,nothingmoreimportanttohim.Thosesimplewordsspokeawholelife’sworthofmeaning,awholeuniverseofmeaning.“Iknow,mylove,”shesaidwithabriefsparkofasmile thatflashedforan

instantinherbeautifuleyes.“Iknow.”Richard saw a blade sweep around before his face.He instinctively backed

away. The man straddling his legs was ready and jammed a knee betweenRichard’sshoulderblades,stoppinghimfromfallingback,thenpulledhisheadupbyhishair.Kahlan, seeing what was happening, screamed again, flailing at the men

holding her. “Don’t pay any attention to them, Richard! Just look at me!Richard!Lookatme!Thinkaboutme!ThinkofhowmuchIloveyou!”Richardknewwhatshewasdoing.“Remember the day we were married? I remember it now, Richard. I

rememberitalways.”Shewastryingtogivehimthelastgiftofapleasant,lovingthought.“I remember the day you asked me to be your wife. I love you, Richard.

Rememberourwedding?Rememberthespirithouse?”Shewasalsotryingtodistracthim,tokeephimfromthinkingaboutwhatwas

happening.Instead, itonlyremindedhimofShota’swarningthat ifhemarriedhershewouldconceiveamonster.“Touching,”thesoldierbehindhimsaid.“It’sthepassionateoneslikeherwho

aregoodinthesack,don’tyouthink?”Richard wanted to rip the man’s head off, but he said nothing. The man

wantedhimtosaysomething,tobeg,toprotest,towailinagony.Asalastactofdefianceagainstsuchmen,Richarddeniedhimthesatisfaction.

Kahlancriedoutherlove,andthatshewantedhimtorememberthefirsttimeshehadkissedhim.Despiteeverything,thatmadehimsmile.At the moment, she didn’t care what was going to happen to her, she just

wantedtodistracthim,toeasethepainandterrorofhislastmomentsoflife.Hislastmoments.Itwasallending.Itwasallover.Therewasnomore.Lifewasover.Histimewiththewomanhelovedwasover.Therewouldbe

nomore.Theworldwasending.“Richard! Richard! I love you somuch! Look atme, Richard! I love you!

Lookatme!That’s right, look atme!You’re theonlyone I ever loved!Onlyyou,Richard!Onlyyou!That’sall thatmatters—that I loveyou.Doyou loveme?Tellme,please,Richard.Tellme.Tellmenow.”Hefeltthebladecatchonthethinveneeroffleshcoveringhisthroat.“Iloveyou,Kahlan.Youalone.Always.”“Touching,” the soldier growled in his ear as he held the blade against

Richard’sthroat.“Whileyou’redowninthepit,bleedingout,I’llhavemyhandsalloverher.I’mgoingtorapeyourprettylittlewife.You’llbedeadbythen,butbeforeyoudie,IwantyoutoknowexactlywhatI’mgoingtodotoher,andthatthere’snothingyoucandotostopit,becauseit’stheCreator’swillbeingdone.“You should have long ago bowed to the ways of the Order, but instead

you’vefoughttokeeptoyoursinfulways,yourselfishways,andturnedawayfromeverythingrightandjust.Foryourcrimesagainstyourfellowmanyouwillnotonlydie,butyouwillsufferforalleternityatthehandsoftheKeeperoftheunderworld.Suffergreatly.“Asyougotothedarkafterlife,Iwantyoutogothereknowingthatifyour

preciousKahlanlives,itwillonlybeasawhoreforus.Ifsheliveslongenough,andshehasaboychild,hewillgrowuptobeagreatsoldieroftheOrder,andtohateyourkind.We’llseetoitthathecomesheresomedaytospitonyourgrave,to spit onyou and those like youwhowouldhave raisedhim in yourwickedways,raisedhimtoturnawayfromservinghisfellowmanandtheCreator.“Youthinkonthatasyourspiritisbeingsuckeddownintodarkness.Asyour

bodygrowscold,I’llbewiththenicewarmbodyofyourlove,givingittohergood.Iwanttomakesureyouknowthatbeforeyoudie.”Richardwasalreadydeadinside.Itwasover,lifeandtheworldwereended.

Somuchlost.Everythinglost.Fornothingbutamindlesshatredofeveryvalue,oflifeitself,bythosewhochoseinsteadtoembracetheemptinessofdeath.

“I love you now and always,with allmy heart,” he said in a hoarse voice.“You’vemademylifeajoy.”HesawKahlannoddingthatshe’dheardhim,andherlipsmouthingherlove

forhim.Shewassobeautiful.Morethananything,hehatedtoseeherinconsolablegrief.Theystared intooneanother’seyes, frozen in that instant thatwouldbe the

lastinstantthattheworldexisted.Richardgaspedinacryofterror,anguish,andsuddensharppainashefeltthe

bladebiteflesh,feltitslicemortallydeepintohisthroat.Itwastheendofeverything.

Chapter18“Stopit,”Niccigrowled.Richardblinked.Hismindreeledinconfusion.NiccihadShota’swristinan

irongrip,holdingherhandawayfromhim.ButShotastillhadanarmaroundhiswaist.“I don’t know what you’re doing,” Nicci said in a tone so dangerous he

thoughtthatsurelyShotawouldshrinkbackinfear,“butyouwillstopit.”Shotadidnotshrinkback,nordidshelooktheleastbitfearful.“Iamdoing

whatneedstobedone.”Nicciwashavingnoneof it.“Backawayfromhim,orIwillkillyouwhere

youstand.”Cara,AgielinhandandlookingevenmoredispleasedthanNicci,stoodclose

ontheothersideofthewitchwoman,blockingherin.BeforeShotacouldreturnthethreatinkind,Richardcollapsedheavilytothemarblebenchsurroundingthefountain.Hewaspanting,gasping,andinastateofraggedterror.Inhismind’seyehe

could still see Kahlan in the hands of those thugs, still feel the sharp bladeslicingdeepintohim.Hisfingerslightlybrushedacrosshisthroat,buttherewasnogapingwound,noblood.Hedesperatelydidn’twanttoletgoofthesightofKahlan,butatthesametimeitwassohorrifyingaglimpseofherhopelessdreadthathewantednothingsomuchastoforeverwipeitfromhismind.Hewasn’t completely surewherehewas.Hewasn’t sure exactlywhatwas

happening.Itwasn’tatallcleartohimwhatwasrealandwhatwasn’t.Hewondered if hewas on the cusp of death and this was some confusing

death-dreambeforeallhis lifeblooddrainedoutofhim,somefinaldelusion totorturehismindashepassedfromexistence.Hegroped,tryingtofeelforotherbodiestherewithhiminthepit.While Cara stood protectively before him, shielding him from the witch

woman,Nicci immediately abandoned her altercationwith Shota to sit besidehim.Shecircledanarmaroundhisshoulders.“Richard, are you all right?” she leaned down, looking into his eyes. “You

looklikeyou’veseenthewalkingdead.”Ignoring Cara, Shota folded her arms as she stood over them, watching

Richard.Inhismind,thesoundofKahlan’sscreamsstillechoed,thesightofherasshe

criedouthisnamestill toreathisheart. Ithadbeenso longsincehehadseenher.Toseeheragainsosuddenly,andlikethat,wasdevastating.

“Richard, it’s all right,”Nicci said. “You’re right here,withme,with all ofus.”Richardpressedahandtohisforehead.“HowlongwasIgone?”Nicci’sbrowtwitched.“Gone?”“IthinkShotadidsomething.Howlongwasshe…doingwhatevershedid?”“I didn’t let her do anything—I stopped her before she could begin. The

instantshetouchedyouunderyourchinIstoppedher.Shedidn’thaveenoughtimetodoanything.”Richardcould still seeKahlan inhismind’s eye, still seeher screaming for

himasthegrimyhandsofImperialOrdersoldiersheldherback.Heranhistremblingfingersbackthroughhishair.“Shehadenoughtime.”“I’msosorry,”Nicciwhispered.“IthoughtIstoppedhersoonenough.”Hedidn’tthinkhecouldgoon.Hedidn’tthinkhecouldsummonthestrength

todrawanotherbreath.Hedidn’t thinkthathewouldeveragainbeable todoanythingbutabandonhimselftodespair.Hecouldnotholdbackhisanguish,hispain,histears.Nicci drew his face against her shoulder, wordlessly sheltering him in the

refugeofherembrace.Itallseemedsofutile.Itwasallending.Itwasallover.He’dalwayssaidthat

theydidn’thaveachancetodefeatJagang’sarmy.TheOrderwastoopowerful.Theyweregoingtowinthewar.TherewasnothingRichardcoulddoaboutit,nothinglefttoliveforbutwaitingforthehorrorofdeathtocatchthemall.Shotasteppeduponthesideofhim,besidewherehesatontheshortmarble

wall,oppositeNicci,andstartedtolayahandonhisshoulder.Carasnatchedthewitchwoman’swrist,stoppingher.“I’msorry tohave todo that,Richard,”Shota said, ignoring theMord-Sith,

“butyouneedtosee,tounderstand,to—”“Shutup,”Niccisaid,“andkeepyourhandsoffhim.Don’tyouthinkyou’ve

broughthimenoughpain?Doeseverythingyoudohavetobeinjurious?Can’tyoueverhelphimwithout tryingtohurthimorcausehimtroubleat thesametime?”AsShotawithdrewherhand,Niccicuppedherstohisfaceandwithathumb

wipedatearfromhischeek.“Richard…”Henoddedathertenderconcern,unabletosummonhisvoice.Hecouldstill

seeKahlancryingoutforhimasshetriedtofightoffthehandsofthosemen.Aslongashelivedhewouldbehauntedbythatsight.At thatmomenthewantedmorethananythingtospareherthepainofseeinghimexecutedandofherbeingin the cruel clutches of theOrder.Hewanted to go back, to do something, to

save her from such inhuman abuse.He couldn’t bear herworld ending as shesawhimmurderedlikethat.But itwasn’t real.He couldn’t have been there like that. Such a thingwas

impossible.Hecouldonlyhaveimaginedit.Reliefbegantoseepintohim.Itwasn’treal.Itwasn’t.Kahlanwasn’tinthehandsoftheOrder.Shewasn’t

seeinghimbeing executed. Itwas just a cruel trickby thewitchwoman. Justanotherofherillusions.Except ithadbeenreal forall thosepeople inGaleaaswellasuntoldother

placeswheretheOrderhadbeen.Evenifithadn’tbeenrealforRichard,ithadbeenalltoorealforthem.Thatwaswhatithadbeenlike.Theirworldshadendedin just thatmanner.Heknewexactlywhat theyhad

suffered.Heknewexactlywhatitfeltlike.Howmanycountless,unknown,unnamed,goodpeoplehadlosttheirchance

atlifeinjustthatway,allfortheotherworldlyambitionsofthosefromtheOldWorld?A new dread suddenly overwhelmed him. He had the gift. He was a war

wizard.Formostofthosewiththegift,itmanifesteditselfinonespecificarea.Butbeingawarwizardmeantthathehadelementsofallthevariousaspectsofthegift,andoneaspectofmagicwasprophecy.Whatifwhathehadseenwasreallyaprophecy?Whatif thatwaswhatwastohappen?Whatifwhathehadseenwasreallyavisionofthefuture?But he didn’t believe that the futurewas fixed.While some things, such as

death,were inevitable, that didn’tmean that everythingwas fixed or that onecouldn’tworktowardworthygoalsinlife,couldn’tavertdisasters,couldn’talterthecourseofevents. If itwasaprophecy, itonlymeant thathehadseenwhatwaspossible.Itdidn’tmeanthathecouldn’ttrytostopitfromhappening.Afterall,Shota’spropheciesneverseemedtocomeoutthewayshepresented

them.Andanyway,whathehadseen,whathehad justexperienced,wasmostlikelyShota’sdoing.Richard squeezedNicci’s hand in silent appreciation.Herother handonhis

shoulderreturnedthesqueeze.Herconcernmeltedalittleunderthewarmthofasmallsmileofreliefatseeinghimrecoveringhiswits.RichardroseupbeforeShotainawaythatbyallrightsshouldhavemadeher

takeastepback.Shestoodherground.“Howdareyoudothattome?Howdareyousendmetothatplace?”“I did not send you anywhere, Richard. Your ownmind took youwhere it

would.Ididnothingbutreleasethethoughtsyouhadsuppressed.Isparedyou

whatwouldhaveotherwisecomeoutinnightmares.”“Idon’tremembermydreams.”Shotanoddedasshestudiedhiseyes.“Thisoneyouwouldhaveremembered.

Itwouldhavebeenfarworsethanwhatyouhavejustsuffered.Itisbettertofacesuchvisionswhenyoucanconfrontthemforwhattheyare,andgraspwhattruththeycontain.”Richardcouldfeelthebloodheatinghisface.“Isthatwhatyoumeant,before,

whenyousaidthatifImarriedKahlanshewouldbearamonster?Isthattherealmeaninghiddeninyourconvolutedprophecy?”Shotashowednoemotion.“Itmeanswhatitmeans.”Richard could still hear thewords of the ImperialOrder soldier telling him

whathewasgoingtodotoKahlan,tellinghimhowshewasgoingtobetreated,tellinghimhowshewouldgivebirthtochildrenwhowouldgrowuptospitonthegravesofthosewhohadwantedtolivetheirownlivesforthemselves,thosewhobelievedineverythinghehelddear.RichardabruptlylungedforShotaandinaninstanthadherbythethroat.The

collisionandhis fiercedetermination to takeherdowncarried thembothoverthe shortwall and into the fountain.WithRichard on top, grappling her, theirmomentumdrovethembothunderthewater.Richardhauledherupbyherthroat.“Isthatwhatyoumeant!”Waterstreamedfromherface.Shecougheditout.Heshookher.“Isthatwhatyoumeant!”Richardblinked.Hewasstanding.Hewasdry.Shotastoodbeforehim.She

wasdry.Hishandswerestillathissides.“Get a hold of yourself, Richard.” Shota arched an eyebrow. “You are still

partlyinyourdreams.”Richardlookedaround.Itwastrue.Hewasn’twetandneitherwasShota.Not

onewavyauburnhaironherheadwasoutofplace.Nicci’sbrowtwitchedwhenheglancedover at her.She lookedpuzzledbywhat couldbe the causeof hisconfusion.Itmustbetrue;hewasstilldreaming.Itreallywasjustadream,justlikehisexecution,justlikeseeingKahlan.He’donlyimaginedthathehadShotabythethroat.Buthewantedto.“WasthatwhatyoumeantwhenyousaidthatKahlanwouldbearamonster

child?”Richardasked,alittlemorequietly,butwithnolessmenace.“Idon’tknowwhothisKahlanis.”Richard’s jaw flexed as he gritted his teeth, thinking of having her by the

throatforreal.“Answerthequestion!Isit?”

Shotaliftedacautionaryfinger.“Believeme,Richard,youreallydon’twantawitchangrywithyou.”“And you don’t want me angry with you, so answer me. Is that what you

meant?”Shesmoothed thesleevesofherdressas shechoseherwordscarefully.“In

thefirstplace,Ihaverevealedtoyouatdifferenttimes,inthevariousthingsthatI’ve toldyou,what I seeof the flowof events in time. I don’t remember thiswoman,Kahlan,nordoIrememberanythinghavingtodowithher.So,Idon’tknowwhat event or prediction you are talking about, as I don’t remember iteither.”Shota’sfacetookonthekindofdarklydangerouslookthatremindedhimthat

hewastalkingtoawitchwomanwhoseverynameinspiredterrifiedtremblingamongmostofthepeopleoftheMidlands.“Butyouareventuringintoseriousmattersofgraveperil in that flowof events forward in time.”Herbrowdrewdownindispleasure.“What,precisely,doyoumeanabouta…monsterchild?”Richardturnedtogazeintothestillwatersofthefountainashethoughtabout

theterriblethingshe’dseen.Hecouldn’tbeartosayitaloud.Couldn’tbeartosay it in front of others, to even suggest aloud that Shota had once made aprediction that he feared might actually mean that Kahlan would conceive achildfatheredbythemonstersoftheImperialOrder.Itfelttohimasifsayingitoutloudmightsomehowmakeittrue.Itwassopainfulanideathathepushedthewholenotionaside,anddecidedinsteadtoaskanotherquestion.Heturnedbacktoher.“WhatdoesitmeanthatIcouldn’tcallmygiftthrough

anger?”Shotasighedheavily.“Richard,youmustunderstandsomething.Ididnotgive

youavision. Ididnothingmore thanhelpyou to releasehidden thoughts thatwereyourown. Ididnotgiveyouadreamofmymaking,nordidIplantanyideas inyourmind. Imerelymadeyouawareofyourownintellection. Ican’ttellyouanythingaboutwhatyousawbecauseIdon’tknowwhatyousaw.”“Thenwhywouldyou—”“IonlyknowthatyouaretheonewhomuststoptheOrder.Ihelpedyoubring

your own suppressed thoughts to the surface in order to help you to betterunderstand.”“Understandwhat?”“Whatyoumustunderstand. Inomoreknowwhat that is thanIknowwhat

you saw within your own mind that so upset you. You might say that I ammerelythemessenger.Ihavenotreadthemessage.”“Butyoumademeseethingsthat—”

“No,Ididnot.Iopenedthecurtainforyou,Richard.Ididnotmaketherainyousawoutofthatwindow.Youaretryingtoblamemefortherain,insteadofappreciatingthefactthatIdidnothingbutopenthecurtainsothatyoucouldseeitwithyourowneyes.”RichardglancedoveratNicci.Shesaidnothing.Helookedupthestepsathis

grandfatherstandingwithhishandslooselyclasped,silentlywatching.Zeddhadalwaystaughthimtodealwiththerealityofthewaytheworldwas,taughthimnottorailatwhatsomebelievedwastheinvisiblehandoffatecontrollingandconjuring events.Washedoing that toShota?Washe trying to blameher forrevealingthingsthathehadn’tseen,orhadn’tbeenwillingtosee?“I’msorry,Shota,”hesaid inaquietervoice.“You’re right.Youdid indeed

showme the rain. Idon’thaveaclueas towhat todoabout it,but I saw it. Ishouldn’tblameyouforwhatothersaredoing.I’msorry.”Shotasmiledinasmallway.“Thatispartofthereasonwhyyouaretheone,

Richard—the only onewho can stop themadness. You arewilling to see thetruth. That is why I brought Jebra with such terrible accounts of what ishappeningatthehandsoftheOrder.Youneedtoknowthetruthofit.”Richard nodded, only feelingworse, feeling evenmore despairing over not

havinganyideaofhowtodowhatshethoughthecould.HemetShota’sunflinchinggaze.“You’vemadeagreateffort tobringJebra

here.You’vecomeaverylongway.Yourfuture,yourverylife,dependsonthisnolessthandoesmylifeorthelivesofallfreepeople,allthosewiththegift.IftheOrderwinswealldie,includingyou.“Isn’tthereanythingyoucantellmethatwillhelpmetodosomethingtostop

thismadness?Icoulduseanyhelpyoucangiveme.Isn’tthereanythingyoucantellme?”She stared at him amoment before speaking, stared as if hermindwere in

otherplaces.“WheneverIbringyouinformation,”shesaidatlast,“itangersyou—asifIweretheonecreatingwhatis,ratherthanmerelyreportingit.”“We’reallfacingslavery,torture,anddeath,andyou’resuddenlymiffedabout

gettingyourfeelingshurt?”In spite of herself, Shota smiled at his characterization. “You think that I

simplypluckrevelationsoutoftheair,asifIwerepickingapear.”The smile faded as her gaze focused off into the distance. “You could not

begin to understand the personal cost of bringing forth such shroudedknowledge. I do not wish to undertake such a formidable task if that dearlygainedknowledgeisgoingtodonothingbutfeedagrudge.”Richardshovedhishandsinhisbackpockets.“Allright,Igetyourpoint.If

you’regoingtomakesuchaneffort,youexpectmetoconsideritearnestly.Weallhaveeverythingatstake,Shota.I’dvaluewhateveryoucantellme.”WhileRicharddidhonestlybelievethatShotawastellinghimwhatshesaw

oftheflowofeventsintime,hedidn’tbelievethatthemeaningofsuchtellingswasnecessarilystraightforwardorwhatShotabelievedtheymeant.Still,shehadalwaysofferedhiminformationthatinsomewayhadbeencentraltotheissuesat hand—Chainfire being only the latest. While her revelation of the wordChainfirehadbeenwithoutanexplanationthatwouldhelphim,thatcluealonehad sustained his effort to find the answer to what had happened to Kahlan.Withoutthatsinglewordhewouldneverhaverecognizedthatparticularbookastheoneholdingthekeytodiscoveringthetruth.Shota took a deep breath, finally letting it out in resignation. She leaned

towardhimtheslightestbit,asiftoemphasizehowseriousshewas.“Itisforyourearsalone.”

Chapter19RichardglancedatCaraandNicci.Bytheirexpressionstherewasnodoubtin

hismindas towhat they thoughtof thevery ideaof leavinghimwithout theirprotection.Whileheknewtheywereconvincedof thenecessityof theirbeingclose at hand, he didn’t really believe that he would be any safer for theirwatchful guard a step away rather than a fewdozen—after all, Shota had justdemonstrated as much. It was obvious, though, that they didn’t share such aview.Richard thought that maybe he could find a solution that would satisfy

everyone.“They’reonthesameside.Whatdifference—”“Thedifferenceisthatitismywish.”Shotaturnedtothefountain,turningher

backonhim,andfoldedherarms.“IfyouwanttohearwhatIhavetosay,thenyouwillhonormywishes.”Richarddidn’tknowifshewasmerelybeingobstinateornot,buthedidknow

thatthiswasnotthetimetotestthepoint.IfhewasgoingtogetanyhelpfromShotaheneededtoshowherhistrust.Likewise,NicciandCarawerejustgoingtohavetotrusthim.Hegesturedtowardthesteps.“Please,bothofyou,gouptherewithZeddand

wait.”Nicciclearlydidn’tliketheideaanymorethandidCara,butsherecognized

bythelookhegaveherthatheneededhertodoasheasked.SheshotthebackofShota’sheadahotglare.“IfforanyreasonIbelieveyouareabout toharmhim,Iwillreduceyoutoacharredcinderbeforeyouhaveachancetoact.”“WhywouldIharmhim?”Shotalookedbackoverhershoulder.“Richardis

theonlyonewhohasachancetostoptheOrder.”“Exactly.”RichardwatchedasNicciandCarawordlesslyturnedandascendedthesteps.

HehadexpectedmoreofanargumentfromCara,butwasgladnottohaveit.He shared a long look with his grandfather. Zedd seemed to be

uncharacteristically quiet. For that matter, so did Nathan and Ann. All threewatchedhimasifstudyingacuriosityfoundunderarock.ZeddgaveRichardaslightnod,urginghimtogoon,todowhatneededdoing.Richardheardthefountainbehindhimabruptlystarttoflowagain.Whenhe

turnedbackhe saw thewaters shootingup into the air at thepinnacle, fallingback,andstreaming from thepointsof thebowls todanceat last in the lowerpool.Shotasaton theshortmarblewall surrounding thepool,herback tohimas

sheleisurelytrailedthefingersofonehandthroughthewater.Somethingabout

herbodylanguagemadethehairatthebackofRichard’sneckstandonend.When she turned to look back over her shoulder, Richard found himself

lookingintothefaceofhismother.Hismuscleslockedstiff.“Richard.”Hersadsmileshowedhowmuchshelovedandmissedhim.She

didn’tlooktohaveagedadayfromhislastboyhoodmemoryofher.AsRichardstoodfrozeninplacesherosefluidlybeforehim.“Oh, Richard,” she said in voice as clear and liquid as the waters of the

fountain,“howI’vemissedyou.”Sheslippedonearmaroundhiswaistassheranthefingersofherotherhandtenderlythroughhishair.Shegazedlonginglyintohiseyes.“HowI’vemissedyousoverymuch.”Richard immediately choked off his emotions. He knew better than to be

lulledintobelievingitwasreallyhismother.Thefirsttimehe’dmetShotashehadappearedtohimashismother,whohad

diedinafirewhenRichardhadbeenbutaboy.Atthetime,RichardhadwantedtotakeShota’sheadoffwithhisswordforwhatheinterpretedasacruelruse.Shotahadreadthethoughtandreproachedhimfor it,sayingthatappearingasshehadwasaninnocentgiftofalivingmemoryofhisloveforhismotherandherundyingloveforhim.Shotahadsaidthatthekindnesshadbeenatacosttoherselfthathewouldneverbeabletounderstandorappreciate.Richarddidn’tthinkthatthistimeshewasgivinghimagift.Hedidn’tknow

what shewasdoing,orwhy,buthedecided toconfront it calmlyandwithoutjumpingtoconclusions.“Shota, I thank you for the beautiful memory, but why is it necessary to

appearasmymother?”Shota’s brow, in the likeness of hismother’s,wrinkled in thought. “Doyou

knowthename…Baraccus?”The hairs at the back of Richard’s neck, that had only just begun to settle,

again stiffened. He gently placed his hands on her waist and with great carebackedheraway.“TherewasamannamedBaraccuswhowasFirstWizardbackinthetimeof

thegreatwar.”Withonefinger,Richard lifted theamulethangingathischest.“Thiswashis.”Hismothernodded.“Heistheone.Hewasagreatwarwizard.”“That’sright.”“Likeyou.”Richardfelthimselfblushattheideaofhismothercallinghim“great,”even

ifitwasShotainherguise.

“Heknewhowtousehisability;Idon’t.”Hismothernoddedagain,aslightsmilecurlingthecornersofhermouthjust

asheremembered.Hismotherhadsmiledthatwaywhenshe’dbeenproudthathehadgraspedthepointofaparticularlydifficultlesson.HewonderedifShotameantthatmemorytohavemeaning.“Doyouknowwhathappenedtohim,toBaraccus?”Richard took a settling breath. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. There was

troublewith theTempleof theWinds.TheTempleand its invaluablecontentshadbeensenttothesafetyofanotherworld.”“Theunderworld,”sheamended.“Yes.Baraccuswenttheretotrytofixthetrouble.”Hismothersmiledasshe

againranherfingersthroughhishair.“Justasyoudid.”“Isuppose.”When she finally finished fussing with his hair, her beautiful eyes turned

down,hergazesettlingagainonhis.“Hewentthereforyou.”“Forme?”Richardlookedatheraskance.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”“SubtractiveMagichadbeenlockedawayintheTemple, in theunderworld,

withdrawnfromtheworldoflifesothatnowizardwouldagainbebornwithit.”Richarddidn’tknowifshewasmerelyrepeatingwhathehadlearnedorifshe

wasgivinghimwhatshebelievedtobethefacts.“Fromtheaccountsofthetimethat I’ve studied, that’swhat I’ve come to suspect.As a consequence, peoplewerenolongerbornwiththeSubtractivesideofthegift.”Shewatchedhimwithakindofcalmseriousnessthathefounddisturbingin

theextreme.“Butyouwere,”shefinallysaidinawaythatcarriedgreatmeaningconcealedinsimplicity.Richardblinked.“Areyousayingthathedidsomethingwhilehewasat the

Temple of theWinds so that someone would again be born with SubtractiveMagic?”“By‘someone,’Ipresumethatyoumean…you?”Shearchedaneyebrowas

iftounderscorethesobrietyofthequestion.“Whatareyousuggesting?”“NonehasbeenbornwithSubtractiveMagic andmore, born awarwizard,

sincethen,sincetheTemplewassentfromthisworld.”“Look,Idon’tknowforsureifthat’struebutevenifitisthatdoesn’tmean

—”“DoyouknowwhatwarwizardBaraccusdiduponhisreturnfromtheTemple

oftheWinds?”Richardwastakenabackbythequestion,wonderingwhatrelevanceitcould

have. “Well, yes. When he returned from the Temple of the Winds… hecommittedsuicide.”Richardgesturedweakly to thevastcomplexabove them.“He threw himself off the side of the Wizard’s Keep, off the outer walloverlookingthevalleyandthecityofAydindrilbelow.”Hismothernoddedsorrowfully.“OverlookingtheplacewheretheConfessors’

Palacewouldeventuallybebuilt.”“Isupposeso.”“Butfirst,beforehethrewhimselfoffthatwall,heleftsomethingforyou.”Richardstareddownather,notcompletelysurethathe’dheardhercorrectly.

“Forme?Areyousure?”Hismothernodded.“Theaccountyoureadwasnotprivytoeverything.You

see,whenhe returned from theTempleof theWinds,beforehe threwhimselffrom thesideof theKeep,hegavehiswifeabookandsentherwith it tohislibrary.”“Hislibrary?”“Baraccushadasecretlibrary.”Richard felt likewaswas tiptoeingacross fresh ice. “Ididn’t evenknowhe

hadawife.”“But Richard, you know her.” His mother smiled in a way that made the

alreadystiffhairatthebackofhisneckstandoutevenmore.Richardcouldhardlybreathe.“Iknowher?Howisthatpossible?”“Well,”hismother saidwithaone-shoulderedshrug,“youknowofher.Do

youknowthewizardwhocreatedthefirstConfessor?”“Yes,” Richard said, confused by her change of subject. “His name was

Merritt. The first Confessor was a woman named Magda Seams. There is apaintingofthemacrosstheceilingdownintheConfessors’Palace.”Hismothernoddedinawaythatmadehisstomachknot.“That’sthewoman.”“Whatwoman?”“Baraccus’swife.”“No…”Richardsaidashetouchedhisfingerstohisforehead,tryingtothink

itthrough.“No,shewasthewifeofMerritt,thewizardwhohadmadeherintoaConfessor,notBaraccus.”“Thatwaslater,”hismothersaidwithadismissivegesture.“Herfirsthusband

wasBaraccus.”“Areyousure?”Shenoddedfirmly.“WhenBaraccusreturnedfromtheTempleoftheWinds,

MagdaSearuswaswaitingforhim,wherehehadaskedhertowait,intheFirstWizard’senclave.Fordaysshehadwaited,fearfulthathewouldneverreturnto

her.Tohergreatreliefhefinallydid.Hekissedher,toldherofhisundyinglove,andthen,inconfidence,andaftersecuringheroathofeternalsilence,hesentherwithabooktohishidden,private,secretlibrary.“Aftershehadgonehelefthisoutfit—theoneyounowwear,includingthose

leather-paddedsilverwristbands,thecapethatlooksasifithasbeenspunfromgold,andthatamulet—intheFirstWizard’senclave,leftthemforthewizardhehad just insured would be born into the world of life… left them for you,Richard.”“Forme?Areyousurethattheywerereallymeantforme,specifically?”“Whydoyou think that thereassomanyprophecies thatspeakofyou, that

waitforyou,thatnameyou—’theoneborntrue,’‘thepebbleinthepond,’‘thebringerofdeath,’‘theCaharin’?Whydoyouthinkthosepropheciesthatrevolvearound you came about? Why do you think that you have been able tounderstandsomeofthemwhennooneelseforcenturies,formillennia,hasbeenabletodecipherthem?Whydoyouthinkthatyouhavefulfilledothers?”“Butthatdoesn’tmeanthatitwasexplicitlymeanttobeme.”Withanindifferentgesture,hismotherdeclinedtoeithersupportordenyhis

assertion.“Whoistosaywhatcamefirst,theSubtractivesidefinallyfindingachildtobebornin,oritfinallyfindingthespecificchilditwasmeanttobebornin. Prophecy needs a kernel to spark its growth. Something must be there toengenderwhatwillbe,evenifitismerelythecolorofyoureyesthathasbeenpassed down to you. Something must make it come about. In this case, is itchanceorintent?”“Iwouldliketothinkachanceseriesofevents.”“Ifitpleasesyou.Butatthispoint,Richard,doesitreallymatter?Youarethe

onebornwiththeabilitythatBaraccusreleasedfromitsconfinementinanotherworld. You are the one he intended to be born, either by chance or specificintent. In the end, theonly thing thatmatters iswhat is: you are theonebornwiththatability.”Richardsupposedthatshewasright;exactlyhowitcametobedidn’tchange

whatwas.Hismothersighedasshewentonwiththestory.“Anyway,itwasonlythen,

afterhehadmadehispreparationsforwhathehadinsuredwouldcomeabout,that Baraccus emerged from his enclave and leaped to his death. Those whowrotetheaccountsdidnotknowthathehadalreadybeenbacklongenoughtosendhiswifeonanurgentcovertmission.Shereturnedtodiscoverthathewasdead.”Richard’sheadspun.Hecouldn’tbelievewhathewashearing.Hefeltdizzy

fromtheunexpectedaccountofancientevents.Heknew, though, fromhavingbeentotheTempleoftheWinds,thatsuchthingswerepossible.Hehadgivenuptheknowledgethathehadgainedthereasthepriceofreturningtotheworldoflife.Eventhoughhe’dlost thatknowledge,hewasleftwithasenseofhowprofound ithadbeen.Theonewhohaddemanded thepriceof leavingbehindwhathehadlearnedinexchangeforhisreturntoKahlanhadbeenthespiritofDarkenRahl,hisrealfather.“In her grief, Magda Searus volunteered herself to be the subject of a

dangerousexperiment thatMerritthadcomeupwith,volunteered tobecomeaConfessor.Sheknewtherewasagoodchance thatshewouldnot live throughthe unknown hazards of that conjuring, but in her grief, with her belovedhusband,theFirstWizard,dead,herworldhadended.Shedidn’tthinkthattherewasanythingforhertolivefor,otherthanfindingoutwhowasresponsibleforthefatefuleventsthathadresultedinherhusband’sdeath,soshevolunteeredforwhateveryoneexpectedmightverywellbeafatalexperiment.“Yetshesurvived.Itwasonlymuchlater thatshebegantofall in lovewith

Merritt,andhewithher.Herworldcamebacktolifewithhim.Theaccountsofthat time are in spots blurred, with pieces missing or misplaced in thechronologyofevents,butthetruthisthatMerrittwashersecondhusband.”Richardhadtositdownonthemarblebench.Itwasalmosttoomuchtotake

in. The implications were staggering. He had trouble reconciling thecoincidences: that he had been the first in thousands of years to be bornwithSubtractiveMagic,thatBaraccushadbeenthelastonetogototheTempleoftheWindsuntilRichardhimself, thatBaraccushadbeenmarried toawomanwhobecame the firstConfessor, thatRichardhad fallen in lovewithandmarriedaConfessor—theMotherConfessorherself,Kahlan.“WhenMagda Searus used her newbornConfessor power on Lothain, they

discoveredwhathehaddoneat theTempleof theWinds,whatonlyBaraccushadknown.”Richardlookedup.“Whatdidhedo?”Hismothergazedintohiseyesasifshewerelookingintohissoul.“Lothain

betrayed themwhen hewas at theTemple by seeing to it that a very specificmagic thathadbeenlockedawaytherewouldatsomefuturepointbereleasedinto theworld of life. Emperor Jagangwas bornwith the power that Lothainallowedtoseepoutofthesafetyofitsconfinementinanotherworld.Thatmagicwasthepowerofadreamwalker.”“ButwhywouldLothain, theheadprosecutor,dosuchathing?Afterall,he

hadseentoitthattheTempleteamwasexecutedforthedamagetheyhaddone.”

“Lothainhadprobablycome tobelieve,asdid theenemy in theOldWorld,thatmagicshouldbeeliminatedfromtheraceofman.Iguesshiszealotryfoundanewfixation:heimaginedhimselfassaviorofmankind.Tothatendheinsuredthereturnofadreamwalkertotheworldoflife,topurgetheworldofmagic.“Forsomereason,BaraccuswasunabletosealthebreachcreatedbyLothain,

unable toundo the treason.Hedid thenextbest thing.He saw to it that therewould be a balance, a counter, to the damage done, someone to fight againstthose forcesbentondestroying thosewith thegift, someonewith the requiredability.“Thatwouldbeyou,Richard.Baraccussaw to it thatyouwouldbeborn to

counterwhathadbeendonebyLothain.Thatiswhyyou,RichardRahl,aretheonlyonewhocanstoptheOrder.”Richard thought hemight be sick. It allmade him feel as if hewere but a

cosmicpawnbeingusedforahiddenpurposes,adupedoingnothingmorethanplaying out the plan for his life contrived by others, performing hispredeterminedpartinabattleacrossthesweepofmillennia.Asifreadinghismind,Shota,stilllookingandsoundingforalltheworldlike

hismother,laidacompassionatehandonhisshoulder.“Baraccussawtoitthatthere was a balance to counter this damage. He did not preordain how thatbalancewouldfunctionorhowitwouldact.Hedidnottakeyourfreewilloutoftheequation,Richard.”“You thinknot? It seems tome that I’mmerely thefinalpieceof thisgame

beingputintoplayatlonglast.Idon’tseemyfreewill,myownlife,mychoice,inanyofit.Itwouldseemothershavedeterminedmypath.”“Idon’tthinkthatistrue,Richard.Youmightsaythatwhattheyhavedoneis

not unlike training a soldier to fight. That training creates the possibility ofaccomplishing the goal of winning the battle should a battle come to pass. Itdoesn’tmeanthatwhenthebattledoescomesthesoldierwon’trunaway,thathewillinsteadstandandfight,oreventhatifhedoesfighttothebestofhisabilityand training that he will win. Baraccus saw to it that you have the potential,Richard,thearmor,theweapons,theability,tofightforyourownlifeandyourownworldshouldtheneedarise,nothingmore.Hewasjustgivingyouahelpinghand.”Ahelpinghandsentacrossthegulfoftime.Richardfeltdrainedandconfused.

Healmostfeltasifhenolongerknewhimself,knewwhohereallywas,orhowmuchofhisownlifewasofhisownmaking.It felt to him as if Baraccus had suddenly materialized out of the dust of

ancientbones,aphantomcometohauntRichard’slife.

Chapter20There was one thing that still nagged at him, one other bit that still didn’t

makesense.Howcouldtheheadprosecutor,Lothain,turnonhisbeliefs,turnoneveryoneintheNewWorld?ItstruckRichardastooconvenientanexplanationthathefellunderthepower,theallure,ofthebeliefsoftheOldWorld.Andthenitcametohim—realizationwellingupthroughhiminarushwith

thepoweroffloodwaters.Thesubstanceofitnearlytookhisbreath.Somethingabout the ancient accounts had always bothered him. Shota had stirred hismemoryofthethingsthathadhappenedandinsodoingalltheexistingpiecessuddenly fell into place. Now he understood what was wrong with the story,whathadalwaysbotheredhimaboutit.Onceheunderstood,hedidn’tknowwhyhehadn’trealizeditlongbefore.“Lothainwasazealousprosecutor,”Richardsaid,halftohimself.Itallcame

outinarushashespoke,hiseyeswideandunblinking.“Hedidn’tfindanewfixationforhiszealotry.Hedidn’tturnonthem.“Hewasn’tatraitor.Hewasaspy.“Hehadalwaysbeenaspy.Hewaslikeamole,tunnelingeverclosertohis

objective.Overalongperiodoftimeheworkedhimselfintoapositionofpower.Healsohadaccomplicescovertlyworkingunderhim.“Lothain was a wizard who had become not just widely respected but

powerful.Withhispoliticalpowerhehadaccesstothehighestplaces.Whentheopportunityfinallypresenteditself,anopportunitythathehadhelpedengineer,heacted.Hesawtoitthathisco-conspiratorswereassignedtotheTempleteam.JustliketheOrdertoday,Lothainandhismenhadastrongfaithintheircause.Theywere theoneswho corrupted themission. Itwasn’t a changeof heart, amisguidedactofconscience.Ithadbeenplannedallalong.Itwasdeliberate.“Theywereallwilling tosacrifice themselves, todieforwhat theybelieved

wasahighercause.Idon’tknowhowmanyoftheteamwereactuallyspies,orifallof themwere,but thefact is thatenoughwere that theyaccomplished theirgoal.Itcouldevenbethattheyconvincedtheotherstogoalongwiththemoutofaconfusedsenseofmoralobligation.“Itwas inevitable,ofcourse, that theotherwizardsat theKeepwouldsoon

enough realize that the Temple of theWinds project had been compromised.Whentheydid,LothainwasonlytooreadytoprosecutetheentireTempleteam,andsawtoitthattheywereallexecuted.Hedidn’twantanyoneleftalivewhocouldbetraytheextentofwhattheyhadactuallydone.“Lothainhad intendedallalongfor theirpreciseactions tobekeptsecretso

that successful countermeasures could not be undertaken. Those spies whom

Lothainhadassignedto theTempleteamwent to theirgraveswillingly, takingtheirsecretswiththem.ByprosecutingandsentencingtheentireTempleteam,Lothain was able to bury the entire conspiracy that he had devised. Heeliminatedeveryonewhohadanyknowledgeofthetruedamagethathadbeendone.Hewasconfident in theknowledge thatonedayhiscausewouldsweepaside all opposition and they would rule the world. When that happened, hewouldbethegreatestheroofthewar.“Therewasonlyoneminorproblemremaining.Afterthetrial,thoseincharge

insistedthatsomeonemustgototheTempleoftheWindstorepairthedamage.Lothaincouldn’tallowanyoneelsetogo,ofcourse,becausetheywouldfindoutthe true extent of the sabotage and might possibly be able to undo it, so hevolunteeredtogohimself.Thathadbeenhisplanallalong—tofollowupontheteamhimself,ifneedbe,andcoverupthetruth.“Because he was the head prosecutor, everyone believed that he had the

absolute conviction to set matters right. When Lothain finally reached theTemple of the Winds, he not only saw to it that the damage could not berepaired,heusedtheknowledgehegainedtheretomakeitworse,tomakesurethatnoonewouldfindandfixthebreach.Hethencoveredupwhathehaddone,intendingtomakeitappearasifallhadbeensetright.“Therewasonlyoneproblem: thealterationshemade,using theknowledge

of theTemple itself, turnedout tobeenoughtosetoff theTemple’sprotectivealarms.From theTemple, in thatotherworld,Lothainwasunawareof the redmoons theTemple had awakened in thisworld, andwhen he returned hewascaught.Evenso,hedidn’tcare;he lookedforward todying, togainingeternalglory in the afterlife for all that he had accomplished, just asNicci explainedaboutthewaythepeopleoftheOldWorldthink.“Thewizardsat theKeepneeded toknowtheextentof thedamageLothain

hadcaused.Eventhoughhewastortured,Lothaindidnotrevealtheextentoftheplan. To discover the truth of what had happened, Magda Seams became aConfessor.Butshewasinexperiencedatthetaskandstilllearningasshewent.Even thoughsheusedherConfessorpower, shedidn’t realize,at the time, theimportanceofaskingtherightquestions.”Richard lookedupat the faceofhismother.“Kahlan toldmeonce that just

gettingaconfessionwaseasy.Thehardpartwasunderstandinghowtoasktheright questions to get the truth.Merritt had only just devised the powers of aConfessor.Nooneyetunderstoodthewaythosepowersfunctioned.“Kahlanwastrainedherwholelifetobeabletodoitproperly,butbackthen,

thousandsofyearsago,MagdaSearusdidn’tyetgrasphowtoaskall theright

questions,intherightorder.EventhoughshebelievedshehadgottenLothaintoconfess to what he had done, she failed to uncover the true extent of histreachery.Hewasaspy,anddespitetheuseofthefirstConfessor,theyfailedtodiscoverit.Asaresult,theyneverknewthefullextentofthesubversioncarriedoutbyLothain’smenontheTempleteam.”Hismotherstudiedhimfromunderabrowsetinconcentration.“Areyousure

ofthis,Richard?”Henodded.“Itfinallyallmakessensetome.Withwhatyou’veaddedtothe

story,allthepiecesthatIcouldneverbeforefitinplacenowfit.Lothainwasaspyandhewenttohisdeathneverrevealingwhohereallywas,orthathehadplacedhisownmenon theTemple team.Theyalldiedwithoutever revealingthetrueextentofthedamagetheyhaddone.Noone,notevenBaraccus,realizedthefullextentofit.”His mother sighed as she stared off. “That certainly explains some of the

missinggapsinwhatcametome.”Shelookedbackathimasifinanewlight.“Verygood,Richard.Verygoodindeed.”Richardwipedahandacrosshiswearyeyes.Hedidn’tfeelanygreatsenseof

pride in reaching down into the dark muck of history and pulling up suchdespicabledeeds,deedsthatwerestillslippingacrosstimetohaunthim.“YousaidthatBaraccusleftabookforme?”Shenodded.“Hesentitawaywithhiswifeforsafekeeping.Itwasmeantfor

you.”Richardsighed.“Areyousure?”“Yes.” His mother carefully folded her fingers together. “While still at the

TempleoftheWinds,Baraccuswrotethebookwiththeaidofknowledgethathegatheredthere.Noeyesbuthishaveeverreadit.Nolivingpersonhassomuchas opened the cover since Baraccus finished writing it and closed the coverhimself.Ithas,sincethattime,beenlyinguntouchedinhissecretlibrary.”The ideaofsucha thinggaveRichardachill.Hehadno ideawheresucha

librarycouldbe,but even ifhe found the right library thatwouldnot tellhimwhatheneededtoknow.Hedidn’tsupposethattherewasachance,butheaskedanyway.“Doyouhaveanyideawhatthisbookiscalled?Ormaybewhatit’sabout?”Hismothernoddedsolemnly.“ItistitledSecretsofaWarWizard’sPower?“Dearspirits,”Richardwhisperedashelookedupather.Elbowsonhisknees,his face sank intohishands.Hewas sooverwhelmed

thathecouldn’tseemtotakeitallin.ThelastmanwhohadvisitedtheTempleof theWinds, three thousand years before Richard had, had somehow, while

there,seentoitthattheTemplewouldreleaseSubtractiveMagic,whichRichardhadbeenbornwith,inpart,sothathecouldgetintotheTempleoftheWindstostopaplaguestartedbyadreamwalkerwhohadbeenbornbecauseawizard,Lothain,hadbeentherefirstandseentoitthatadreamwalkerwouldbeborninordertoruletheworldanddestroymagic.Andfurther,thatsamemanwhohadseentoitthatRichardwouldbebornwithSubtractiveMagichadleftRichardabookofinstructionontheverymagicitseemedhehadbestowedonRichardinordertodefeatthedreamwalker.AfterBaraccus returned and committed suicide, thewizards had abandoned

anyfurtherattemptstogetintotheTempleoftheWindstoanswerthecalloftheredmoons,orforanyotherreason,asimpossible.TheywereneverabletogetintoundothedamagetheTempleteamandthenLothainhaddone.OnlyBaraccushadbeenabletotakeactiontocounterthethreat.Verypossibly,Baraccushimselfhadinsuredthatnooneelsecouldgetintothe

TempleoftheWinds,probablysothattherewouldbenochancethatanyotherspycouldruinwhatBaraccushaddonetoinsurethattherewouldbeabalancetothethreat,namely,Richard’sbirth.Richardlookedup.Hismotherwasnolongerthere.InherplacestoodShota,

theloosepointsofherdressfloatinggentlyasifinabreeze.Richardwassadtosee his mother gone but at the same time it was a relief since it was sodisorientingtotrytospeaktoShotathroughthespecterofhismother.“This librarywhereBaraccus sent hiswifewith the book Secrets of aWar

Wizard’sPower,whereisit?”Shotashookherheadsadly.“I’mafraid thatIdon’tknow.Idon’t thinkthat

anyonebutBaraccusandhiswife,MagdaSearus,knew.”Richardwore thewarwizardoutfit lastwornbyBaraccus,wore the amulet

wornbyBaraccus,carriedthegiftforSubtractiveMagicverylikelybecauseofBaraccus.AndBaraccushadlefthimwhatsoundedlikeaninstructionbookonhowtousethepowerhehadseentoitthatRichardhadbeenbornwith.“Therearesomanylibraries.Baraccus’sprivate librarycouldbeamongany

ofthem.Doyouhaveideaatallwhichoneitcouldbe?”“Iknowonlythatitisnotamonganyotherlibrary,asyousuggest.Thelibrary

Baraccuscreatedwashisalone.Everybookthereishisalone.Hehidthemwell.Theyremainundiscoveredtothisday.”“Andforsomereasonhesawfitnottoleavethosebooksinthesafetyofthe

FirstWizard’senclave?”“Safety?Notlongago,SistersoftheDark,sentbyJagang,violatedthisplace.

They took books, among other things, to the emperor. Jagang hunts books

becausetheycontainknowledgethathelpshiminhisstruggletoruletheworldfortheOrder.HadthebookBaraccuswroteforyoubeenlefthereattheKeep,itverywellmightnowbeinJagang’shands.Baraccuswaswisenottoleavesuchpowerhere,whereanyonecouldfindit,whereeveryFirstWizardtocomeafterhimmighthavediscovered itand tamperedwith it,orevendestroyed it lest itfallintothewronghands.”That was what had happened to The Book of Counted Shadows. Ann and

Nathan, because of prophecy, had helped George Cypher bring it back toWestlandwiththeintentthatwhenhewasoldenough,Richardwouldmemorizethatbookandthendestroyitlestitfallintothewronghands.ItturnedoutthatDarkenRahlwould eventually need to get his hands on that book in order toopen the boxes of Orden—the same boxes that were now in play because ofAnn’sformerSisters,whonowhadKahlan,thelastConfessor,who,becauseofwhatwaswritteninthatbook,hadhelpedhimdefeatDarkenRahl.Richardliftedouttheamulethewore,whichhadoncebelongedtoBaraccus.

He stared at the symbolsmakingup the dancewith death.Therewas just toomuchforitalltobecoincidence.He peered up at Shota. “Are you saying thatBaraccus foresawwhatwould

happenandputthebookinaplaceofgreatersafety?”Shota shrugged. “I’m sorry, Richard, I don’t know. It may be that he was

simply being cautious. Considering his reasons, and what is at stake, suchcautioncertainlyseemsnotonlytohavebeenwarranted,butwise.“I’vetoldyoueverythingIcan.Youknowallthepiecesofthepuzzle,ofthe

history,thatI’munawareof.Thatdoesn’tmeanthatthisisallthereistoit,butfrom other sources you also know additional parts of the history, so you nowknowmoreofthestorythanIdo.Forthatmatter,youprobablynowknowmoreofitthananypersonalivesincewarwizardBaraccuswastheFirstWizard.”Outofallshehadtoldhim,nothingwoulddohimanygoodunlesshecould

findthebookBaraccushadmeantforhimtohave.Withoutthatbook,Richard’swar wizard powers were a mystery to him and next to useless.Without thatbook,itseemedthattherewasnohopeofdefeatingthearmythathadcomeupfrom the Old World. The Order would rule the world and magic would beeradicatedfromtheworldoflife,justasLothainhadplanned.Withoutthebook,Baraccus’splanwasafailure,andJagangwasgoingtowin.Richard gazed up at the glassed roof a hundred feet overhead,which let in

someofthesomber,late-daylighttobalancetheglowofthelampsdownintheheartoftheroom.Hewonderedwhenthelampshadbeenlit.Hedidn’trecallithappening.

“Shota, there could be no greater need for such knowledge. How am Isupposed to succeed in stopping the Order if I can’t usemy ability as a warwizard?Can’tyougivemeanything,anyideaatall,ofhowtofindthisbook?IfIdon’tfindsomeanswers,andsoon,I’mdead.Weallare.”She cupped his chin as she looked down into his eyes. “I hope you know,

Richard, that if Iknewhowtoget thatbookforyou,Iwoulddoit.YouknowhowmuchIwanttostoptheImperialOrder.”“Well,whydoyougetspecificinformation.Wheredoesitcomefrom?Why

isitthatitcomestoyouatspecifictimes,likenow?WhynotthefirsttimeImetyou? Or when I was trying to get into the Temple of theWinds to stop theplague?”“Isuppose that itcomesfromthesameplaceyougetanswersor inspiration

whenyoumulloveraproblem.Whydoyoucomeupwithanswerstoproblemswhenyoudo?Ithinkaboutasituationandsometimestheanswerscometome.Fundamentally, it’s no different, I suppose, than how anyone comes up withideas. It’s just that my ideas are unique to a witch woman’s mind and theyinvolveeventsintheflowoftime.Isupposethatit’smuchthesameashowyousuddenly came to know the truth aboutwhatLothain had done.Howdid thatcometoyou?Isupposethatitworksmuchthesameforme.“IfIknewwherethebookSecretsofaWarWizard’sPowerwas,orhadany

ideaofhowtofindit,Iwouldn’thesitatetotellyou.”Richardheaveda sigh and stood. “Iknow,Shota.Thankyou for all you’ve

done.I’lltrytofindawayforwhatyou’vetoldmetobeofhelp.”Shota squeezedhis shoulder. “Imust go. I have awitchwoman to find.At

least,thankstoNicci,Inowknowhername.”Athoughtstruckhim.“Iwonderwhyshe’snamedSix?”Shota’scountenancedarkened.“It’saderogatoryname.Awitchwomansees

manythings in theflowof time,especially those thingshaving todowithanydaughters shemightbear.For awitchwoman, the seventhchild is special.TonameachildSixistosaythatshefallsshort,thatsheislessthanperfect.It’sanopen insult, from birth, for what a witch woman foresees of her daughter’scharacter.It’sapronouncementthatherdaughterisflawed.“NamingherSixprobablyearnedthemotherherownmurderatthehandsof

thatdaughter.”“Thenwhywouldthemothersoopenlydeclaresuchathing?Whynotname

thedaughtersomethingelseandavoidtheprobabilityofherownmurder.”Shota regardedhimwitha sadsmile.“Because therearewitchwomenwho

arebelievers in the truth,because truthwillhelpothers avoiddanger.To such

women,aliewouldbethebudofmuchlargertroublethatwouldgrowfromit.Tous,truthistheonlyhopeforthefuture.Tous,thefutureislife.”“Well,itsoundslikethenamefitsthetroublethisoneiscausing.”Shota’s smile, sad though it had been, vanished.Her brow tightenedwith a

dark look.She liftedafinger inwarning.“Suchawomancouldeasilyconcealhername.Thisone,instead,revealsitthewayasnakebaresitsfangs.Youworryabout everything else, and leave her to me. A witch woman is profoundlydangerous.”Richardsmiledalittle.“Likeyou?”Shotadidn’treturnthesmile.“Likeme.”Richard stood alone by the fountain as hewatched Shota ascend the steps.

Nicci,Cara,Zedd,Nathan,Ann,andJebrawerehuddledofftotheside,engagedinwhisperedconversationamongthemselves.Theydidn’tpayanyheedtoShotaasshepassed,likeanunseenapparition.Richard followed her up the steps. In the doorway, silhouetted by the light,

Shotaturnedback,almostasifshehadseenanapparitionherself.Shereachedoutandforatimerestedahandonthedoorframe.“Oneotherthing,Richard.”Shotastudiedhiseyesforamoment.“Whenyou

wereyoung,yourmotherdiedinafire.”Richardnodded.“That’sright.AmangotinafightwithGeorgeCypher,the

manwhoraisedme,themanIthoughtatthetimewasmyfather.Thismanwhostartedthefightwithmyfatherknockedalampoffthetable,settingthehouseonfire.MybrotherandIwereasleepinthebackbedroomatthetime.Whilethemandraggedmy fatheroutside andwasbeatinghim,mymother raced in andpulledmybrotherandmefromtheburninghouse.”Richardclearedhisthroatwiththepainthatstillhauntedhim.Heremembered

thequicksmileofherreliefthattheyweresafe,andthelastquickkissshehadgivenhimonhisforehead.“Aftermymother was sure that wewere safe, she ran back inside to save

something—we never knewwhat.Her screams brought theman to his sensesandheandmyfathertriedtosaveher,buttheycouldn’t…itwastoolate.Theyweredrivenbackbytheheatoftheflamesandcoulddonothingforher.Filledwithguiltandrevulsionatwhathehadcaused,themanranoffsobbingthathewassorry.“It was a terrible tragedy, especially because there was no one else in the

house and nothing worth saving, nothing worth her life.Mymother died fornothing.”Shota, standing silhouetted in the doorway, one hand resting against the

doorframe, stared at him forwhat seemed an eternity.Richardwaited silently.There was some kind of terrible significance evident in her posture, in heralmondeyes.Shefinallyspokeinasoftvoice.“Yourmotherwasnottheonlyonetodieinthatfire.”Richardfeltgoosebumpsraceuphislegsandarms.Everythinghehadknown

fornearlyhiswhole life seemed tobevaporized inan instantby the lightningstrikeofthosewords.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?Whatdoyoumean?”Shota shook her head sadly. “I swear on my life, Richard, I don’t know

anythingelse.”Hesteppedcloserandgraspedherarm,beingcarefulnottogripitashardas

heeasilycouldhaveunderthesuddenpowerofhisburningneedtounderstandwhyshewouldsaysuchathing.“What do you mean, you don’t know anything else? How can you say

somethingsoinconceivableandthenjustsaythatyoudon’tknowanythingelse?Howcanyousaysomethinglike thatabout thedeathofmymother—andthenjust not knowanymore.That doesn’tmake sense.Youmust know somethingmore.”Shotacuppedahand to thesideofhis face.“Youdidsomethingforme the

lasttimeyoucametoAgadenReach.YouturneddownmyofferandsaidthatIwasworthmorethantohavesomeoneagainsttheirwill.YousaidthatIdeservedtohavesomeonewhowouldvaluemeforwhoIam.“Asangryas Iwaswithyouat thatmoment, itmademe think.Noonehas

everturnedmedownbefore,andyoudiditfortherightreasons—becauseyoucaredaboutme,caredthatIhavewhatwillmakemylifeworthwhile.Youcaredenoughtoriskmywrath.“When I assumed the likeness of your mother, that gift in some way

influencedtheflowofinformationcomingtome.Becauseofthat,justnowasIwas about to leave, that single thought came intomy awareness:Yourmotherwasnottheonlyonetodieinthatfire.“LikeallthingsthatIgleanfromtheflowofeventsintime,itcametomeasa

kindofintuitivevision.Idon’tknowwhatitmeans,andIdon’tknowanymoreaboutit.Iswear,Richard,Idon’t.“Under ordinary circumstances I would not have revealed that small bit of

informationbecause it is sochargedwithpossibilitiesandquestions,but thesearehardlyordinarycircumstances.Ithoughtyoushouldknowwhatcametome.IthoughtyoushouldknoweveryscrapofeverythingIknow.NotallofwhatIlearnfromtheflowoftimeisuseful—that’swhyIdon’talwaysrevealtopeople

isolatedthingslikethis.Inthisinstance,however,Ithoughtyoushouldknowitincase itcomes tomeansomething toyou, incase itmightcome tohelpyousomehow.”Richard felt numb and confused. He wasn’t sure that he believed it really

meantwhatitsoundedlikeitmeant.“Coulditmeanthatshewasn’ttheonlyonetodiebecauseapartofusdied

withherthatday?Thatourheartswouldneverbethesame?Coulditmeanthatshewasnottheonlyonetodieinthatfireinthatsense?”“Idon’tknow,Richard,Ireallydon’t,butitcouldbe.Itmayinthatwaybe

insignificantasfarasbeingsomethingthatwouldactuallyhelpyounow.Idon’talways know everything about what the flow of time reveals or if it ismeaningful.Itcouldbeasyousayandnothingmore.“Icanonlybeahelp if I relay informationaccurately,andso that iswhat I

did.Thatistheexactwayitcametomeandinthatpreciseconcept:Yourmotherwasnottheonlyonetodieinthatfire.”Richardfelta tear rundownhischeek.“Shota, I feelsoalone.Youbrought

Jebratotellmethingsthatgavemenightmares.Idon’tknowwhattodonext.Idon’t.Somanypeoplebelieveinme,dependonme.Isn’ttheresomethingyoucantellmethatwillatleastpointmeintherightdirectionbeforewe’realllost?”Withafinger,Shotaliftedthetearfromhischeek.Thatsimpleactsomehow

liftedhisheartinasmallway.“Iamsorry,Richard.Idon’tknowtheanswersthatwouldsaveyou.IfIdid,

please believe that Iwould give them eagerly.But I know the good in you. Ibelieveinyou.Idoknowthatyouhavewithinyouwhatyoumusttosucceed.Therewillbe timeswhenyoudoubtyourself.Donotgiveup.Remember thenthatIbelieveinyou,thatIknowyoucanaccomplishwhatyoumust.Youarearareperson,Richard.Believeinyourself.“KnowthatIbelieveyouaretheonewhocandoit.”Outside,beforestartingdownthegranitesteps,sheturnedback,ablackshape

againstthefadinglight.“IfKahlanwas ever real or not no longermatters.The entireworld of life,

everyone’slife,isnowatstake.Youmustforgetthisonelife,Richard,andthinkofalltherest.”“Prophecy, Shota?” Richard felt too heavyhearted to raise his voice.

“Somethingfromtheflowoftime?”Shotashookherhead.“Simplytheadviceofawitchwoman.”Shestartedfor

thepaddocktocollectherhorse.“Toomuchisatstake,Richard.Youmuststopchasingthisphantom.”

WhenRichardwentbackinsideeveryonewascrowdedaroundJebra,engagedinhushedconversationfilledwithsympathyforherordeal.Zedd paused in themiddle ofwhat hewas saying as Richard joined them.

“Ratherodd,don’tyouthink,myboy?”Richardglancedaroundattheperplexedexpressions.“What’sodd?”Zedd spread his hands. “That somewhere in themiddle of Jebra telling her

storyShotasimplyupandvanished.”“Vanished,”Richardrepeated,cautiously.Niccinodded.“Wethoughtshewouldstickaroundandhavesomethingtosay

afterJebrafinished.”“Maybeshehadtogofindsomeonetointimidate,”Carasaid.Ann sighed. “Maybe she wanted to be on her way after that other witch

woman.”“Maybe, being a witch woman, she isn’t much for good-byes,” Nathan

suggested.Richarddidn’tsayanything.HehadseenShotadothisbefore,likewhenshe

hadshownupathisandKahlan’sweddingandgivenKahlanthenecklace.Noonehadheardherthen,either,whenshehadspokentoRichardandKahlan.Noonehadseenherleave.Everyonewent back to their conversation, except for his grandfather. Zedd

lookeddistantanddistracted.“Whatisit?”Richardasked.Zeddshookhisheadashe laidhisarmaroundRichard’s shoulders, leaning

closerashespoke intimately.“For somereason, I findmymindwandering tothoughtsofyourmother.”“Mymother.”Zeddnodded.“Ireallymissher.”“Metoo,”Richardsaid.“Nowthatyoumentionit,IguessI’vehadheronmy

mindaswell.”Zeddstaredoffintothedistance.“Partofmediedwithherthatday.”IttookRichardamomenttofindhisvoice.“Doyouhaveanyideawhyshe

wentbackintotheburninghouse?Doyouthinktherewasanythingimportantinthere?Maybesomeonewedidn’tknowabout?”Zeddshookhisheadinsistently.“Ifeltsurethattherehadtohavebeensome

good reason, but I went through the ashes myself.” His eyes welled up withtears.“Therewasnothingintherebutherbones.”

RichardglancedoutthedoorandsawthespectralshadowofShotaatopherhorsestartdowntheroadwithoutlookingback.

Chapter21Rachelhesitateddeepwithin thedarkentrance. Itwasbecomingdifficult to

see.Shewishedshecouldn’tmakeoutwhatwasdrawnonthewalls,butthefactwasshecould.Allthewayintothecaveshehadtriednottolooktoocloselyatthestrangescenescoveringthestonewallsallaroundher.Someoftheimagesmadegoosebumpsriseonherarms.Shecouldnotimaginewhyanyonewouldwanttodrawsuchhorrible,cruelthings,butshecertainlycouldunderstandwhytheywouldputthemdowninthecave,whytheywouldwanttohidesuchdarkthoughtsfromthelightofday.Themanunexpectedlyshovedher.Rachelstumbledforwardandfell flaton

her face. She gasped a breath to regain the wind that had been so abruptlyknockedoutofher.Shespitoutdirtasshepushedherselfuponherarms.Shewastooangrytocry.When she peeked back over her shoulder she saw that, instead ofwatching

her,hewasgazingaheadintothedarknesswiththoseunsettlinggoldeneyesofhis,asifhismindhadwanderedandhe’dforgottenallabouther.Rachelglancedback toward the light,wondering if she couldmake it past his long legs. Shereasoned that she could feign going one way and then dodge the other. Thatmightwork.Buthewasalotbiggerthanshewasandcouldnodoubtrunfasterevenifherlegshadn’tbeenallwobblyfromhavingbeentiedforsolong.Ifonlyhehadn’ttakenherknivesawayfromher.Still,ifshewasquick,shethoughtshemightpossiblybeabletogetenoughofastarttomakeit.Beforeshehadachanceto try, themannoticedheragain.Heseizedherby

thecollarandhoistedhertoherfeet,thenshovedheronahead,deeperintotheblack maw of the cave. Rachel struggled to find her footing over rockoutcroppings and to jump fissures.Seeing somekindofmovement ahead, shepaused.“Well,well…”camearazor-thinvoicefrombackinthedarkness.“Visitors.”Thelastwordhadbeendrawnoutsothatitalmostsoundedlikethehissofa

snake.Rachel’s skin went icy cold as she stared, wide-eyed, into the darkness,

fearingwhocouldbetheownerofsuchavoice.Out of that darkness, as if from out of the underworld itself, a shadow

materialized,glidingforwardintothedimlight.Shadows didn’t smile, though, Rachel realized. This was a woman, a tall

womaninlongblackrobes.Herlong,wiryhair,too,wasblack.Incontrast,herskinwassopalethatitmadeherfacealmostappeartobefloatingallbyitselfinthe darkness. It remindedRachel of the skin of an albino salamander that hid

under leaveson the forest floorduring theday,never touchedby the sunlight.Allofher,fromthecoarseblackclothofherdresstoherparchedfleshstretchedtightlyoverherknucklestoherstiffhair,seemedasdryasasunbakedcarcass.Shewore the kind of smile thatRachel imagined awolfworewhen dinner

droppedinunexpectedly.Althoughhereyeswereblue,itwasabluethatwasasblanchedasherskin,so

that it almost seemed that she might be blind. But the way those eyesdeliberatelytookRachelinleftnodoubtthatthiswasawomanwhocouldnotonlyseejustfineinthelight,butprobablyinpitchdarknessaswell.“This had better be worth it,” theman behind Rachel said. “The little brat

stabbedmeinmyleg.”Rachelglaredbackoverher shoulder.Shedidn’tknow theman’sname.He

hadneverbotheredtotellher.Eversincecapturingherhe’dspokenverylittle,infact, as if shewerenot someonebut something—an inanimateobject—thathehad merely collected. The way he’d treated her made her feel like she wasnothingmorethanasackofgrainthrownoverthebackofhissaddle.But,atthatmoment,thegrief,fear,thirst,andhungerduringthelongjourneywereonlydimannoyancesinthebackofhermind.“YoukilledChase,”shesaid.“YoudeservemorethanIdid.”Thewomanfrowned.“Who?”“Themanwithher.”“Ah,him,”thewomaninblacksaid.“Andyoukilledhim?”Shesoundedonly

mildlycurious.“Areyoucertain?Didyouburyhim?”Heshrugged.“Iguesshe’sdead—mendon’trecoverfromsuchwounds.The

spellconcealedmewellenough,justasyoupromiseditwould,soheneverevennoticedIwasthere.Ididn’ttakethetimetostopandburyhim,though,sinceIknewyouwantedmebackassoonaspossible.”Herthinsmilewidened.Comingevercloser,shefinallyreachedoutandran

herlong,bonyfingersbackthroughhisthickhair.Herghostlyblueeyesstudiedhimintently.“Verygood,Samuel,”shecooed.“Verygood.”Samuel looked like a hound that was getting scratched behind the ears.

“Thankyou,Mistress.”“Andyoubroughttherestofit?”Henoddedeagerly.Asmilewarmedhisface.Rachelhadthoughthimacold-

lookingman,maybebecauseofhisstrange,goldeneyes,butwhenhesmileditseemed tomask his nature.With that smile hewas a better-lookingman thanmost,althoughtoRachelhewas,andalwayswouldbe,amonster.Awarmsmile

wasn’tgoingtochangewhathehaddone.Samuel seemedsuddenly inagoodmood.Rachelhadn’tever seenhim this

happy.Althoughmuchofthetimeshe’dbeeninasack,tiedoverthebackofhishorse,soshesupposedthatshedidn’treallyknowifhe’dbeeninagoodmoodornot.Shedidn’treallycare.She justwantedhimdead.HehadkilledChase, thebest thing thathadever

happened inRachel’s entire life.Chasewas the bestmanwhohad ever lived.Chase had taken her in after she’d escaped fromQueenMilena, the castle atTamarang,andthatterriblePrincessViolet.Chasehadlovedherandhadtakencareofher.Hetaughtherthingsabouttakingcareofherself.Hehadafamilyhelovedandwholovedandneededhim.Butnowtheyhadalllosthim.Chasewassobigandsogoodwithhisweapons thatRachelhadn’t thought

thatanyonecouldeverdefeathim,especiallynotamanbyhimself.ButSamuelhadappearedlikeaghostandrunChasethroughwhileheslept,runhimthroughwith that beautiful sword that Rachel just knew couldn’t belong to him. Shehatedtothinkofhowhehadgottenthatswordandwhoelsehe’dhurtwithit.Samuelstoodlookinglikeanidiot,hisarmshanging,hisshouldersslumped,

as the woman ran her fingers back through his hair, whispering comforting,fawning words. It seemed completely unlike him. Up until then Samuel hadalwaysseemedconfidentandsureofhimself.HealwaysmadeitcleartoRachelthathewasincharge.Healwaysknewexactlywhathewanted.Inthepresenceofthiswoman,though,hewasdifferent.Rachelhalfexpectedhistonguetohangoutandforhimtostartdrooling.“Yousaidyoubroughttherestofit,Samuel,”shesaidinherhissyvoice.“Yes.”Heliftedanarmbacktowardthelight.“It’sonthehorse.”“Well, don’t leave it out there,” the woman said, her voice taking on an

impatientedge.“Goandgetit.”“Yes… yes, right away.” He seemed only too eager to do her bidding and

scurriedoff.Rachel watched him rushing back through the cave, making his way over

rocksthatlayinhispath,sometimesusinghishandsonthegroundforbalance,hurryingpastthecreepygalleryofdrawingsandtowardthecaveentrance.Shenoticed then light flickering on the darkwalls.When she heard the sputteringsizzlesherealizedthatitwaslightfromatorch.Sheturnedbackaroundtoseesomeoneelse,carryingatorch,appearingoutofthedarkness.Rachel’sjawdropped.ItwasPrincessViolet.

“Well,well,ifitisn’ttheorphanRachelcomebacktous,”Violetsaidasshestuckthetorchinabracketontherockwallbeforetakingupaplacebesidethewomaninblack.Rachel’seyesfelt liketheymightpopoutofherhead.Shecouldn’tseemto

makehermouthclose.Hervoicehadfleddownintothepitofherstomach.“Why,Violet, dear, I do believe you’ve scared the little thingwitless. Lose

yourtongue,littleone?”PrincessVioletwas theonewhohad lost her tongue.Butnow itwasback.

Somehow,asimpossibleasitseemed,itwasback.“PrincessViolet…”Violet’sbackstiffenedasshestraightenedherbroadshoulders.Sheseemedto

be half again as big as the last time Rachel had seen her. She was meatier-looking.Older-looking.“QueenViolet,now.”Rachelblinkedinastonishment.“Queen…?”Violetsmiledinawaythatcouldhavefrozenabonfire.“Yes,that’sright.Queen.Mymother,yousee,wasmurderedwhenthatman,

Richard,escaped.Itwashisdoing.Heisresponsibleformymother’sdeath,forthedeathofourbelovedformerqueen.Hebroughtusallnothingbutgriefandterribletimes.”Sheheavedasigh.“Thingshavechanged.Iamqueennow.”Rachelcouldn’tmake itwork inherhead.Queen. It all seemed impossible.

Mostly,though,itwasdumbfoundingthatVioletcouldagainspeakafterhavinglosthertongue.A humorless smile spread onViolet’s lips as her brow drew down. “Kneel

beforeyourqueen.”Rachelcouldn’tseemtomakesenseofthewords.Violet’shandcameoutofnowhere,strikingRachelsohardthatitknockedher

sprawling.“Kneelbeforeyourqueen!”Violet’sshriekechoedbackandforthinblackness.Gaspinginpainandshock,Rachelheldonehandtothesideofherfaceasshe

struggledtoherknees.Shefeltwarmbloodrunningdownherchin.Violetwasalotstrongerthanbefore.The painful slapwas like her past slamming right back down on her, as if

everythinghadbeenadreamandshewaswakingagaintothenightmareofherformerlife.Shewasallaloneagain,withnoGiller,noRichard,noChasetohelpher.ShewasagainhelplessbeforeVioletwithoutafriendintheworld.Violet’s smile had vanished.As she stared down at Rachel kneeling before

her,hereyesnarrowedinawaythatmadeRachelhavetoswallow.

“Heattackedme,youknow.BackwhenhewasSeeker,Richardattackedme,hurt me, for no reason.” She planted her fists on her hips. “He hurt me bad.Attacked and hurt a child!My jawwas broken.My teethwere shattered.Mytonguewassevered,justashehadoncepromisedtodo.Iwasleftmute.”HervoiceloweredintoagrowlthatchilledRacheltothebone.“Butthatwas

theleastofmysuffering.”Violet took a breath to calm herself. With the palms of her hands she

smootheddownherpinksatindressatthehips.“None of my mother’s advisors were any help. They were bumbling fools

whenitcamedowntodoinganythingworthwhile.Theyofferedendlesspotionsandpoulticesandaromasandincantations.Theysaidprayersandmadeofferingsto thegood spirits.They applied leeches andhot jars.Noneof itworked.Mymotherwasburiedwithoutmethere.Iwasunconsciousatthetime.“Noteventhestarshadanythingtosayaboutmyconditionorchances.The

advisorsmostlystoodaroundwringingtheirhands—andprobablyplottingwhowouldsteal thecrownwhenIfinallydied.Isuspect that if itwasn’tsoonthenone of themwould have helpedme along into the afterlifewithmymother. Iheardtheirworriedwhispersaboutmebecomingqueen.”Violet tookanothercalmingbreath.“In themiddleofmynightmareofpain

and suffering, of anguish and grief, of my growing concern about beingmurdered,Sixarrivedandhelpedme.”Shegesturedupat thewomanstandingbeside her. “Justwhen I needed itmost, Six came along and helped saveme,helpedsavethecrownandTamarangitself,whennooneelsecouldorwould.”“But,but,”Rachelstammered,“you’renotoldenoughtobeaqueen.”Sheknewitwasamistaketheinstantthewordshadlefthertongue,beforeher

better judgment had time to stop them. Violet’s other hand whipped around,slappingRachelacrosstheothercheek.Violetseizedherbythehairandroughlypulledherbackupontoherknees.Rachelcuppedahandtothenewthrobbingacheandwiththeotherhandwipedbloodfromhermouth.Violetshrugged,indifferenttothepainandbloodshehadcaused.“Anyway,I

grewupinthelastfewyears.I’mnolongerthechildIwasbackthen,thechildyoustillthinkofmebeing,backwhenyoulivedhere,enjoyingourkindnessandgenerosity.”Racheldidn’t think thatViolethadgrownupenough tobeaqueen,but she

knew better than to say so again. She also knew better than to think ofenslavementas“kindness.”“SixhelpedmeasIrecovered.Shesavedme.”Rachel stared up at the pale, smiling face. “I offered my services. Violet

welcomedmeintothecastle.Hermother’sadvisorscertainlyweren’tdoingheranygood.“Sixusedherpowertohealmybrokenandgrosslyinfectedjaw.Ihadgrown

weakfromonlybeingabletosipathinbroth.WithSix’shelpIwasatlastabletobegintoeatagainandrecovermystrength.Newteethevencamein.Idon’tsupposethatanyoneevergrewathirdsetofteethbefore,yetIdid.“Butstill Icouldnotspeak,sowhenIwaswellenough,strongenough,Six

usedherremarkablepowerstogrowmeanewtongue.”Herfiststightenedathersides.“ThetonguethatIlostbecauseoftheSeeker.”“TheformerSeeker,”Sixcorrected,underherbreath.“TheformerSeeker,”Violetacknowledged,considerablycalmer.AsmugsmilereturnedtoViolet’splumpface.ItwasasmilethatRachelknew

alltoowell.“Andnowyouhavebeenbroughtback.”Hertoneexpressedathreatthatherwordshadn’tnamed.“Whataboutall theothers?”Rachelasked, trying tobuy time to think.“All

thequeen’sadvisors?”“Iamthequeen!”Itseemed that,alongwith therestofher,Violet’s temper

hadgottenbiggeraswell.AgentletouchonthebackfromSixbroughtabriefglanceupandasmileto

Violet’s face. She again took a calming breath, almost as if she had beenremindedtowatchhermanners.She finally answered Rachel’s question. “I have no need for my mother’s

advisors. They were, after all, worthless. Six fills that role now, and does somuchbetterthananyofthosefools.“Afterall,noneofthemcouldgrowmeanewtongue,nowcouldthey?”Rachel glancedup atSix.Thewolf’s grinwas back.Theghostly blue eyes

seemedtobestaringrightintoRachel’snakedsoul.“Suchathingwasfarbeyondtheirabilities,”thewomansaidinaquietvoice,

but one that carried the undertone of profound power. “However, it waswellwithinmine.”RachelwonderedifViolethadorderedalltheadvisorsputtodeath.Thelast

time Rachel had been at the castle, Violet, at her mother’s side, was justbeginning toorder executions.Now that shewasqueen,withSix tobackher,therewouldbenothingtorestrainViolet’swhims.“Sixgavememytongueback.Gavememyvoiceback.TheSeekerthought

hehadtakenallofthatfromme,butnowIhaveitback.Tamarangissafelyinmyhands.”Had it not been so frightening a thought, so horrifying a concept, Rachel

might have laughed at the very idea of Violet being queen. Rachel had beenViolet’splaymate,hercompanion—reallynothingmorethanherpersonalslave.Violet’smother,QueenMilena,hadgottenRachelfromanorphanage,intendingher to be someone upon whom Violet could practice leadership, someoneyoungerwhomVioletcouldeasilyhandleandabuse.Rachel had not only escaped, she taken Queen Milena’s precious box of

Ordenwithher,eventuallygivingitovertoRichardandZeddandChase.Thathadbeenalongtimeback.Violetlookedtobeaboutinhermiddleteens

bynow,althoughRachelwasn’tgoodatguessingolderpeople’sages.Shewasalotbigger than the last timeRachelhad seenher, thatmuchwas for sure.Herdullhairwasevenlonger.Herboneshadgottenheavier,thicker.Liketherestofher,herfacewasstillplump,butwiththosesmall,dark,calculatingeyes,ithadlost its childlike quality. Her chest was no longer flat, either, but had grownwomanly.She looked likeanadult just about toemerge fromhercocoon.ShehadalwaysbeenmucholderthanRachel,butnowsheseemedtohavespurtedupandwidenedthegap.Evenso,shedidn’tseemanywherenearoldenoughtobeaqueen.Butqueenshewas.Rachel’s knees, naked against the rock,were hurting something fierce. She

didn’tdaretoasktogetup,though.Instead,sheaskedaquestion.“Violet—”Smack.Beforeshehadtimetothink,Violethadstruck,seeminglyoutofnowhere,as

ifshehadbeenwaitingforanexcuse.Rachel’svisionswamsickeningly.Itfeltlike the blow might have knocked teeth loose. Rachel gingerly felt with hertonguebeforeshewassuretheywereallstillinplace.“QueenViolet,”Violetgrowled.“Don’tmakethatmistakeagainoryouwill

beputtotortureasaninstigatoroftreason.”Rachelswallowedbackthelumpofterror.“Yes,QueenViolet.”Violetsmiledatthetriumph.Shewasindeedthequeen.Rachel knew that Violet had a taste for only themost exquisite things, the

mostelaboratedecoration,whetheritbedraperiesordishes, themostbeautifuldresses, and the themost precious jewels. She insisted on surrounding herselfwith the best of everything—and that had been backwhen she’d only been aprincess.Thatmadeitseemallthestrangerthatshewouldbeinacave.“QueenViolet,whatareyoudoinginthisawfulplace?”Violetstareddownatheramoment,thenwaggledwhatlookedlikeapieceof

chalkbeforeRachel’sface.“Myheritage,myinheritance.”

Racheldidn’tunderstand.“Yourwhat?”“My gift.” She shrugged offhandedly. “Well, not exactly the gift, but

somethingakintoit.Yousee,Icomefromalonglineofartists.YourememberJames?Thecourtartist?”Rachelnodded.“Hehadonlyonehand.”“Yes,” Violet drawled. “A man a little too forward for his own good. Just

becausehewasarelativeof thequeenhe thought thathecouldgetawaywithcertainindiscretions.Hewaswrong.”Rachelblinked.“Relative?”“Distantcousin,orsomethinglikethat.Hesharedsomelittletraceoftheroyal

bloodline. That exceptional bloodline carries a unique gift for… artistry. ThefamilyoftherulersofTamarangstillcarrythethreadofthatancienttalent.Mymotherdidn’thavetheability,butthroughthatbloodline,itturnsoutthatshedidpassitalongtome.Atthetime,though,theonlyoneweknewofwhostillhadthatraretalentwasJames.Thusitcametobethatheservedasthecourtartist,servedthecrown,mymother,QueenMilena.“TheSeeker, thepreviousSeeker,Richard,beforehecausedthetroublethat

resultedinthemurderofmymother,alsomurderedJames.Ourlandwasforthefirsttimeinhistorywithouttheservicesofanartisttoprotectthecrown.“At the timeweweren’t aware that I, in fact, carry the ancient talent.”She

gesturedtothetallwomanbesideher.“Sixsawitinme,though.Shetoldmeofmy remarkableability.Shehasbeenhelpingme learn touse it,guidingme inmy…artlessons.“A lotofpeoplewereopposed tomebecomingqueen—some,even, among

thecrown’shighestadvisors.Fortunately,Sixtoldmeofthecovertplots.”SheliftedthechalkbeforeRachel’sface.“Thetraitorsfounddrawingsofthemselvesdown here on thesewalls. Imade sure that everyone knowswhat happens totraitors.Withthat,andwithSix’shelpandcounsel,Ibecamequeen.Peoplenolongerdareopposeme.”Whenshehad livedat thecastlebefore,Rachelhad thought thatVioletwas

dangerous in the extreme.She’d had no idea at the time just howmuchmoredangerousshewouldbecome.Rachelfeltasenseofcrushinghopelessness.VioletandSixglancedupwhentheyheardSamuelrushingbackin.Fearing

thatVioletwasliabletowhackheragain,Racheldecidednottoturnandlook.ShecouldhearSamuelpanting,though,ashegotclose.Violet swished her hand, commanding Rachel aside and out of the way.

Rachelimmediatelyscrambledtocomply,onlytoohappytobeoutofthereachofViolet’sarm,ifnotherauthority.

Samuelhadaleatherbagheldclosedwithadrawstring.Hesetthebagdowncarefullyandopenedit.HelookedupatSix.Sherolledherhand,urginghimtogetonwithit.It appeared tobeaboxof somekind.When it cameoutof thebag,Rachel

sawthatitwasasblackasdoomitself.Shethoughtthattheyallverywellmightbesuckedintothatblackvoidandvanishintotheunderworld.Withonehand,SamuelheldthesinisterthinguptoSix.Smiling,sheliftedit

outofhishand.“Aspromised,”shesaidtoViolet,“IpresentyouwithQueenViolet’sboxof

Orden.”RachelrememberedQueenMilenaliftingthatsameboxwiththesamekindof

awed reverence.Except that now itwasn’t all covered in the silver, gold, andjewels.Zeddhad toldRachel that the realboxofOrdenhadbeenunder thosejewels.ThishadtobethatboxthathadallalongbeeninsidewhenRachelhadspiriteditawayfromthecastlejustasWizardGillerhadaskedhertodo.NowGillerwasdead,Richardnolongerhadhissword,andRachelwasback

intheclutchesofViolet.AndnowViolethadherselfapreciousboxofOrden,justashermotherhad.Violet smirked. “You see, Rachel?What need have I of those old, useless

advisors?CouldtheyhaveaccomplishedanyofwhatIhaveaccomplished?Yousee, unlike those weak people you threw in with, I always persevere until Isucceed.That’swhatittakestobeaqueen.“I have the box of Orden back. I have you back.” She waggled the chalk

again.“AndIwillhaveRichardbacktofacehispunishment.”Six sighed. “Enough of this happy reunion. You have what you asked for.

SamuelandIneedtogohaveatalkabouthisnextassignment,andyouneedtogetbacktoyour‘art’lesson.”Violetsmiledconspiratorially.“Yes,mylesson.”SheglareddownatRachel.

“There isan ironboxwaiting foryoubackat thecastle.And then there is thematterofyourpunishment.”Sixbowedherhead.“Iwillbeoff,then,myqueen.”Violetflickedherhandinagestureofdismissal.SixgraspedSamuel’supper

armandstartedawaywithhim.Hehadtowatchhisbalancetokeephisfootingashesteppedoverandaroundrocks.Sixseemedtoglidethroughthedimlightwithoutanytroubleatall.“Come along,” Violet said in the kind of pretend cheerful tone that made

Rachel’sbloodruncold.“Youcanwatchmedraw.”AsVioletgrabbedthetorchRachelstoodonwobblylegs, thenfollowedher

queen, the light of the flagging flame illuminatingwalls coveredwith endlessdrawings of terrible things beingdone to people.Therewas not a spot on thewalls that didn’t have some sort of horrific scene. Rachel missed Chasesomethingfierce,missedhisreassurance,hissmilewhenshehaddonealessonwell,hiscomfortinghandonhershoulder.Shelovedhimsomuch.AndSamuelhad killed him, killed all her hopes and dreams. She felt numbdespair as shefollowedVioletdeeperintothedarkness,deeperintothemadness.

Chapter22Nicci spotted Richard far off down the long rampart, standing at the

crenellatedouterwallnotfarfromthebaseofasoaringtower,gazingoutoverthe deserted city far below. Twilight had muted the colors of the dying day,turningthedistantrollingsummer-greenfieldstogray.Carastoodnotfarfromhisside,silentbutwatchful.Nicci knew Richard well enough that she could easily read the heightened

tension in his body. She knew Cara well enough to see the reflection of thatstresslurkinginherintentlycalmappearance.Niccipressedafistovertheknotofanxietytighteninginhermiddle.Overheadtheslategraycloudsroiled,spittinganoccasionalfatdropofrain.

Distantthunderrumbledthroughthemountainpasses,promisingatempestuousnighttocome.Despitethedark,seethingclouds,theairwasstrangelystill.Theheat of the day had abruptly vanished, as if fleeing before the storm thatwasabouttobreak.Asshecametoastop,Niccirestedahandonthecrenellatedwallandtooka

deepbreathofthehumidair.“Rikkasaidthatyouneededtoseeme.Shesaiditwasurgent.”Richardlookedthematchforthebrewingstorm.“Ihavetoleave.Atonce.”Niccihadsomehowexpectedjustthat.SheglancedpastRichard,toCara,but

theMord-Sith showed no reaction.Richard had been brooding for days.He’dbeenquietlydistantasheconsideredeverythinghehadlearnedfromJebraandShota.Zedd had advisedNicci to leave him to his deliberation.Nicci had notneededsuchadvise;sheprobablyknewhisdarkermoodsbetterthananyone.“I’mgoingwithyou,”shesaid,makingitclearthatshewasleavingnoroom

fordiscussion.He nodded absently. “It will be good to have you with me. Especially for

this.”Nicciwas relievednot tohavehimargue,but theknotof anxiety tightened

overthelastpartofwhathe’dsaid.Therewasapalpablesenseofdangerintheair.Atthatmomentherconcernwastoinsurethat—whateverhewasabouttodo—hewasaswellprotectedasshecouldmanage.“AndCaraisgoingtoo.”Still,hegazedoffintothedistance.“Ofcourse.”She realized that he was looking south. “Now that Tom and Friedrich are

back,Tomwillinsistoncomingalongaswell.Histalentswillbevaluable.”TomwasamemberofanelitecorpsofprotectorstotheLordRahl.Despite

his amiable appearance, Tomwasmore than formidable in his duty.Men likehimwerenotadvancedtosuchtrustedpositionsofprotectiontotheLordRahlbecause theyhadnicesmiles.LikeotherD’Haranprotectors to theLordRahl,TomhadcometofeelpassionatelyabouthisdutytoprotectRichard.“Hecan’tcomewithus,”Richardsaid.“We’regoinginthesliph.OnlyCara,

you,andmeareabletotravelinthesliph.”Nicciswallowedatthethoughtofsuchajourney.“Andwherearewegoing,

Richard?”Atlonglast,hisgrayeyesturnedtoher.Hegazedintohereyeswiththatway

hehadabouthim,asifhewaslookingintohersoul.“I’vefigureditout,”hesaid.“You’vefiguredwhatout?”“WhatImustdo.”Nicci could feel her fingers tingling with a shapeless dread. The look of

terribleresolveinhisgrayeyesmadeherkneesweak.“Andwhatisthatyoumustdo,Richard?”Hepuzzled amoment. “Did I ever tell you thanks for stoppingShotawhen

youdid,whenshewastouchingme?”Nicci was not disconcerted by Richard’s abrupt change of topic. She had

learnedthat itwasRichard’sway.Itwasespeciallycharacteristicwhenhewasgreatly troubled. Themore agitated he was, it seemed that there were all themorethingsgoingoninhisheadatthesametime,asifhisthoughtswereinawhirlwindofinneractivitythatpulledeverythingupintothattumultuousrushofdeliberation.“Youtoldme,Richard.”Aboutahundredtimes.Henoddedslightly.“Well,thanks.”His voice had turned absent, distant, as he descended back into the dark

depths of some inner equation uponwhich the future hinged. “Shewas doingsomethingpainfultoyou,wasn’tshe.”Itwasnotaquestion,butastatementthatNiccihadcometobelievemoreand

more in the days following Shota’s visit. Nicci didn’t know what Shota haddone,but shewishedshehadnotallowedeven thatbrief touch.Therewasnotellinghowmuchthewitchwomancouldhaveconveyedinthattouch,evenasabbreviatedas ithadbeen.Lightning,afterall,wasbriefaswell.Richardhadnever saidwhatShotahad shownhim,but itwasground thatNicci, for somereason,fearedtotreadupon.Richard heaved a sigh. “Yes, shewas. Shewas showingme the truth.That

truthisinparthowI’vecometounderstandatlastwhatitisImustdo.AsmuchasIdreadit…”Whenhedriftedintosilence,Niccipatientlyproddedhim.“So,whathaveyou

figuredoutyoumustdo?”Richard’s fingers tightened on the stone as he looked out again over the

darkening countryside far below, and then to the somber jumble ofmountainsrisingupbeyond.“Iwas right in thebeginning.”Hisgaze turned toCara.“RightwhenI took

youandKahlanawaytothemountainsfarbackinWestland.”Cara frowned. “I remember you saying thatwewere going back into those

desertedmountainsbecauseyouhadcometounderstandthatwecouldnotwinthewarbyfightingthearmyoftheImperialOrder.Yousaidthatyoucouldnotleadtheminsuchabattlethattheyweresuretolose.”Richardnodded.“AndIwasright.Iknowthatnow.Wecan’twinagainsttheir

army.Shotahelpedmetoseethat.ShemayhavebeentryingtoconvincemethatImustfightthatbattle,butinpartbecauseofallthatsheandJebrashowedme,Iknownowthatwecan’twinit.“Now,IknowwhatImustdo.”“Andwhatwouldthatbe?”Niccipressed.Richardfinallypushedawayfromthestonemerlon.“Wehavetogo.Idon’t

havetimetolayitalloutrightnow.”Niccistartedafterhim.“Ithrewsomethingstogether.They’reready.Richard,

whycan’tyoutellmewhatyou’vedecided?”“Iwill,”hesaid,“later.”“You’rewastingyourtime,”CarasaidunderherbreathtoNicciasshefellin

withherbehindRichard.“I’vealreadypaddledupthatcreekuntilIgottootiredtopaddleanymore.”Richard,hearingCara’sremark,tookNiccibythearmandpulledherforward.

“I’mnotfinishedthinkingitall through.Ineedtofinishputtingitall together.I’llexplainitwhenwegetthere,explainittoeveryone—butrightnowwedon’thavethetime.Allright?”“Getwhere?”Nicciasked.“To the D’Haran army. Jagang’s main force will soon be heading up into

D’Hara.Ihavetotellourarmythatwehavenochancetowinthebattlethatiscomingforthem.”“That ought to cheer their day,” Cara said. “Nothing makes a soldier feel

betteron the eveofbattle than their leader telling them that theyare about tolosethebattleanddie.”

“Youwantmetotellthemalie,instead?”heasked.Cara’sonlyanswerwasascowl.AttheendoftherampartRichardpulledopentheheavyoakdooratthebase

ofthetower.Insidewasaroomwheresomeofthelampswerealreadylit.Niccicouldhearpeoplerushingupthestonestepstotheside.“Richard!” It was Zedd following behind the big, blond-headed D’Haran,

Tom.Richardhalted,waiting forhisgrandfather to reach the topof the stepsand

makeitintothesimplestoneroom.Zeddrushedcloser,gulpingair.“Richard!What’s going on?Rikka came by in a rush saying that youwere

leaving.”Richardnodded. “Iwantedyou to know that I’ve got to go, but Iwon’t be

gone for long. I’llbeback ina fewdays.Hopefully, in themeantimeyouandNathanandAnncanfindoutsomethinginthebooksthatwillbehelpfulwiththeChainfirespell.Maybeyoucanevenworkoncomingupwithsomesolutiontothecontaminationfromthechimes.”Zeddwavedirritablyatthesuggestion.“Whilewe’reatit,wouldyoulikeme

tocuretheskyofthatthunderstorm?”“Zedd,don’tbeangrywithme,please.Ihavetogo.”“Allright,butwhereareyougoing—andwhy?”“I’mready,LordRahl,”Tomsaidashehurriedintotheroom.“I’msorry,”Richardtoldhim,“butyoucan’tgo.We’regoingtoneedtogoin

thesliph.”Zeddthrewhisarmsupintheair.“Thesliph!Youdoyourbest toconvince

methatmagicisfailing,andnowyouintendtoputyour life in thehandsofacreatureofmagic?Areyoulosingyourmind,Richard?What’sgoingon?”“I’mawareof thedanger,but Imust take the risk.”Richardgestured.“You

knowthatstarburstsymbolonthedooroftheFirstWizard’senclave,upthere?”When Zedd nodded, Richard tapped the top of his silver wristband. “It’s thesameasthisonehere.”“Whataboutit?”Zeddasked.“Remember, I toldyou that it hasmeaning? It’s anadmonitionnot toallow

yourvisiontolockonanyonething.It’sawarningtolookeverywhereatonce,toseenothingtotheexclusionofeverythingelse.Itmeansyoumustn’tallowtheenemytodrawyourattentionandmakeyoufocusonwhathewishesyoutosee.Ifyoudo,youwillbeblindtoeverythingelse.“That’swhatI’vebeendoing.Jaganghasbeenforcingme—forcingeveryone

—tofocusononething.Likeafool,I’vebeendoingjustthat.”

“His army,” Nicci guessed. “That’s what you mean? That we’ve all beenfocusingonhisinvasionforce?”“That’s right.This starburstmeans that youmust open to all there is, never

settlingonjustonething,evenwhencuttingyourenemy.Itmeansthatinsteadoffocusingononething,youmustopenyourmindtoeverything,evenwhenitisnecessarytokeepthatonecentralthreatatthecenterofyourattention.”Zeddcockedhishead.“Richard,you’vegottofocusonthethreatthat’sabout

to kill you. His army is millions of men strong. They’re coming to crush alloppositionandenslaveusall.”“Iknow.That’swhywecan’tfightthem;wewilllose.”Zedd’sfacewentcrimson.“Soyouproposetoallowtheirarmytorollintothe

NewWorldunopposed?Yourplan is to letJagang’sarmyfreelyoverruncitiesandallowtohappenallthethingsJebratoldushadhappenedinEbinissia?Youwanttosoeasilyallowallthosepeopletobeslaughteredorenslaved?”“Thinkofthesolution,”Richardremindedhisgrandfather,“nottheproblem.”“Notverycomfortingadvicetothosehavingtheirthroatscut.”Richardfrozeandstaredathisgrandfather,seeminglystrucksilentbyZedd’s

words.“Look,” Richard finally said, running his fingers back through his hair, “I

don’thavetimeforthisrightnow.I’lltalktoyouaboutitwhenIgetback.Timeisoftheessence.I’vealreadywastedfartoomuchofit.Ionlyhopethatwestillhaveenoughtimeleft.”“Enoughtimeforwhat!”Zeddroared.Nicciheardfootstepsrushingupthestairwell.Jebradashedintotheroom.“What’sgoingon?”sheaskedZedd.ZeddwavedahandinRichard’sdirection.“Mygrandsonhasdecidedthatwe

mustlosethewar,thatwemustnotfightJagang’sarmy.”“Lord Rahl, you can’t be serious,” she said. “You can’t seriously consider

allowing those brutes…” Jebra’s voice trailed off as she stepped forward,peeringupatRichard.Shestilledinmidstride.Shestaggeredbackastep.Theblooddrainedfromherface.Herjawdroppedopen.HerjawtrembledasshetriedwithoutsuccesstoWring

forthwords.Herfeaturesslackenedwithdread.Herblueeyesrolledbackinherheadasshefainted.Asshe toppledback,Tomcaughther inhisarmsand laidhergentlyon the

granitefloor.Everyoneclosedinaroundtheunconsciouswoman.“Whathappened?”Tomasked.“Idon’tknow,”Zeddsaidashekneltdownbeside thewoman,pressinghis

fingerstoherforehead.“She’sfainted,butI’mnotsurewhy.”Richardheadedfor thedoor thatopened to the ironstairs runningdown the

insideofthetower.“I’llleaveyoutotakecareofher,Zedd—you’retheexpertathealing.She’singoodhands.Ican’taffordtowasteanymoretimerightnow.”He turnedback from thedoorway. “I’ll bebackas soonas I can—promise.

Weshouldn’tbemorethanafewdays.”“ButRichard—”He had already started down the iron steps. “I’ll be back,” he called up at

them,hisvoiceechoingfromthegloom.Withouthesitation,Carafollowedafterhimdownintothedarktower.Nicci didn’t want to let him get too far without her, but she knew that he

would have to call the sliph, so she had a few moments. As Zedd checkeddifferent spots on Jebra’s head, Nicci squatted down beside the unconsciousJebra,acrossfromhim.Niccifeltthewoman’sbrow.“She’sburningup.”ZeddlookedupinawaythatnearlystoppedNicci’sheart.“It’savision.”“Howdoyouknow?”“Iknowaboutseersingeneralandthisoneinparticular.She’shadapowerful

vision.Jebraismoresensitivethanmostseers.Heremotions,withacertainkindofvision,sometimesovercomeher.Thisvisionhadtohavebeensomethingthatwassopowerfulitrenderedherunconscious.”“DoyouthinkitwasaboutRichard?”“There’snowaytotell,”theoldwizardsaid.“Shewillhavetobetheoneto

tellus.”Zeddmaynothavebeenwillingtoventureaguess,butJebrahadlookedup

intoRichard’seyesjustbeforeshefainted.Niccididn’thavetimetobediscreet.Shecouldn’tallowRichardtoleavewithouther—andsheknewthathewouldifshewasn’t therewhenhewas ready togo—but at the same time shecouldn’tleave without knowing if Jebra had had a vision about him that could revealsomethingimportant.Nicci slipped her hand under thewoman’s neck, pressing her fingers to the

baseofJebra’sskull.“What are you doing?” Zedd asked, suspiciously. “If you’re doing what I

thinkyouare,that’snotjustrecklessbutdangerous.”“Soisignorance,”Niccisaidasshereleasedaflowofpower.Jebra’seyespoppedopen.Shegasped.“No…”“There,there,”Zeddcomforted,“it’sallright,mydear.We’rerightherewith

you.”“Whatdidyousee?”Nicciasked,gettingrighttothepoint.Jebra’spanickedeyesturnedtoNicci.Shereachedupandsnatchedthecollar

ofNicci’sdress.“Don’tleavehimalone!”TherewasnoneedforNiccitoaskwhoJebrawastalkingabout.“Why?What

didyousee?”“Don’tleavehimalone!Don’tlethimoutofyoursight—notforaninstant!”“Why?”Nicciaskedagain.“Whatwillhappenifheisleftalone?”“Ifyouleavehimalone,hewillbelosttous.”“How?Whatdidyousee?”JebrareachedupandwithbothfistspulledNicci’sfacecloser.“Go.Don’tlet

himbealone.WhatIsawdoesnotmatter.Ifhe’snotalone,thenitcan’thappen.Doyouunderstand?IfyoulethimgetseparatedfromyouandCaraitwillnotmatterwhatIsaw—itwon’tmatterforanyofus.Ican’t tellyouthemeansofseparation,onlythatnomatterwhatyoumustnotletithappen.That’sallthat’simportant.Go!Staywithhim!”Nicciswallowedasshenodded.“You’dbetterdoasshesays,”ZeddtoldNicci.“There’snothingIcandoin

this.It’suptoyou.”He reachedout andgraspedher hand, not asFirstWizard, but asRichard’s

grandfather. “Stay with him, Nicci. Protect him. In so many ways he’s theSeeker,theLordRahl,theleaderoftheD’HaranEmpire,butinotherwayshe’sstill a woods guide at heart. He’s our Richard. Protect him, please.We’re alldependingonyou.”Niccistaredathim,atanappealthatseemedunexpectedlypersonal,anappeal

that seemed to riseaboveall thewiderneedsofprotecting the freedomof theNew World and reduced it all to a simple love for Richard the man. Sheunderstood in that instant that without the sincere and simple concern forRichardasanindividual,noneoftherestofitmattered.Asshestarted torise,JebrapulledNiccibackdown.“This isnota ‘maybe’

kindofvision,apossibility.Thisiscertain.Don’tlethimbealoneorhewillbeattheirmercy.”“Whosemercy?”Jebrabitherlowerlipasherblueeyeswelledupwithtears.“Thedarkwitch.”Niccifeltashudderoficydreadrippleuphershoulders.“Go,”Jebrawhispered.“Please,go.Hurry.Don’tlethimleavewithoutyou.”Niccisprangupandrushedacrosstheroom.Atthedoorwayshepausedand

turnedback.Herheartwaspoundingsohardthatitmadeherswayonherfeet.“Iswear,Zedd.HewillhavemyprotectionaslongasIdrawbreath.”She watched as Zedd nodded, a tear running down his weathered cheek.

“Hurry.”Nicci turned and ran down the iron steps, taking them two at a time, her

footfallsechoingaroundtheenormoustower.ShewonderedwhatelseJebrasawinhervisionthatawaitedRichardifhebecameseparatedfromthem,ifhewasleft alone, but in the end Nicci decided that it didn’t really matter what thatvisionary fatewas, it onlymattered that, nomatterwhat,Niccinot allow it tohappen.Bats fluttered in undulating clouds up through the tower, funneling out

throughtheopenwindowsatthetop,intentontheirnightlyhunt,asNicciraceddownthesteps.Therushingsoundofthousandsofwebbedwingsmadeitseemthetowerwasexhalinginalong,lowmoan.Shepassedirondoorsonlandingswithoutpause.Shesometimeshadtosnatchtherailtokeepherfooting.Atthebottomsheracedaroundthewalkwaythatsurroundedthefetidwaterstandingatthebottomofthetower.Theblackwaterrippledassmallcreaturesslippedintotheinkysanctuary.Nicci ran in through thedoorway that hadbeenblastedopenwhenRichard

haddestroyedthegreatbarrierthathadonceseparatedtheOldWorldfromthenew.The towers thatpowered thatbarrierhad stoodsince thegreatwar, threethousandyearsbefore.Inmorerecenttimes,JagangandhisarmyoftheImperialOrder had been kept at bay, unable to cross that barrier. But Richard haddestroyed those towers in order to be able to return to the NewWorld afterhavingbeenheldatthePalaceoftheProphets,andasaresulttheImperialOrderhadbeenloosedontheNewWorld.ThewarwasnotRichard’sfault,butitcouldnothavebeenrekindledwithoutthatact.RichardandCarawerestanding,waiting,onthewallofthegreatwellofthe

sliph, thecreature thathadbeenwalledawayalongwith theOldWorldforallthetimethatthegreatbarrierhadstood.BehindRichard andCara thequicksilver faceof the sliphwatchedNicci as

shehurriedintotheroom.“Doyouwishtotravel?”thesliphaskedinthateerievoicethatechoedaroundtheroom.“Yes, Iwish to travel,”Nicci said breathlessly as she scooped up her pack.

Caramusthaveputitthereforher.“Thanks,”shesaidtotheMord-Sith.RichardheldhishandoutasNiccislippedanarmthroughastrapandlifted

thepackontoherback.“Comeon.”Nicci tookhishand, lettinghimhoistheruponto thewallwithonemighty

pull.Nicci’sheart felt as if itwascomingup intoher throat.Shehad traveledbefore so she knew the overwhelming ecstasy of the experience, and yet shecouldnothelpbeingafraidtobreatheinthelivingquicksilverofthesliph.Suchaconceptjustwentagainsttheveryideaofthebreathoflife.“Youwillbepleased,” thesliphsaidasNicci joined theothers.Niccididn’t

argue.“Let’sgo,”Richardsaid.“Iwishtotravel.”AshinyarmliftedoutofthepooltosurroundRichardandCara,butnotNicci.“Wait!”Nicci said. “Imustgowith them.”The sliph stilled. “Listen tome,

Richard.YouhavetotakeCaraandmyhands.Don’tletgoforanything.”“Nicci,you’vedonethisbefore.Itwillbe—”“Listen!CaraandIare trustingyou,andyouhaveto trustus.Youcan’tget

separated from us. Not for anything. Not for so much as an instant. If thathappensthenyouarelosttous.Ifthathappensthenwhateveryouhaveplannedwon’thappen.”Richard studiedher face silently for amoment. “Did Jebrahaveavisionof

somethinghappening?”“Onlyifyougetseparatedfromus.Onlyifyouarealone.”“Whatdidshesee?”“Thewitchwoman,Six.Jebracalledher‘thedarkwitch.’“Richardstudiedherfaceamoment.“ShotaisgoingafterSix.”“That may be, but Six has already usurped Shota’s authority in her own

territory.”“Maybeforthemoment.ButI’dnotwanttobeherwhenShotacatchesher.

Shotacoveredherthronewiththehideofthelastpersonwhocametotakeherhome,andhewasawizard.”“Idon’tdoubthowdangerousShotais,butwedon’tknowhowdangerousSix

is.Thegiftisdifferentindifferentindividuals.ShotacouldintheendturnouttobenomatchforSix’sability.IdoknowthattheSistersoftheDarkwereafraidofher. Jebrahada terriblevisionandsays thatyoumustnotbeallowed tobealone.Idon’tintendtoallowhervisionanychancetocometopass.”HemusthavereadtheresolveinNicci’sface,becausehenodded.“Allright.”

HetookherhandandthentookCara’s.“Don’tletgo,then,andthenwewon’thavetoworryaboutit.”Niccisqueezedhishandinagreement.She leanedpasthimtoaddressCara.

“Doyouunderstand?Wecan’tlethimoutofoursight.Notforaninstant.”Cara’sbrowdrewdowninadarkfrown.“SincewhenhaveIeverwantedto

allowhimoutofmysight?”

“Wheredoyouwishtotravel?”thesliphasked.NicciglancedtoRichardandCaraandrealizedthatthequestionwasdirected

toher.“Towheretheyaregoing.”Thesilverfaceturnedsly.“Icannotrevealwhatmyotherclientsdowhenthey

areinme.TellmewhatyouwishandIwillpleaseyou.”NiccitwitchedafrownatRichard.“She never reveals anything about anyone else; it’s a kind of professional

confidence.We’regoingtothePeople’sPalace.”“ThePeople’sPalace,”Niccisaid.“IwishtotraveltothePeople’sPalace.”“She’sgoingwithCaraandme,”Richardtoldthesliph.“Tothesameplace.

Doyouunderstand?Sheistostaywithusaswetravelthere.”“Yes,Master.Wewilltravel.”Theface,lookinglikeahighlypolishedstatue,

smiled.“Youwillbepleased.”Theliquidsilverarmtightenedaroundallthreeofthem,drawingthemoffthe

wall.Nicci’shandtightenedonRichard’s.Astheyplungedintothetotaldarknessofthesliph,Nicciheldherbreath.She

knewshehadtobreathe,buttheveryideaofbreathingthesilveryliquidterrifiedher.Breathe.Atlastshedid,adesperategaspdrawingthesliphintoherlungs.Colors,light,

andshapesmeltedtogetherallaroundherinaspectaculardisplay.NiccitightlyheldRichard’s hand as they glided into the silken distance. Itwas a glorious,lazy,floatingsensationofaheadlongrushatimpossiblespeed.Shedrewinanotherdizzyingbreathofthesliph’sessence.Itwasaglorious

releasefromeverythingthathauntedher,fromthecrushingweightonhersoul.ShewasleftwithonlythatconnectiontoRichard.Therewasnothingelse.Therewasnooneelse.Itwasrapture.Sheneverwantedittoend.

Chapter23KahlanwatchedasthethreeSisterspeeredintothedistance,watchingforany

movement. With the sun going down, the shadows were beginning to melttogether into a gloomy haze. At the horizon to the south a sliver of fadingdaylightshonebeneathmenacinggraycloudsthattoweredintoadarkvioletsky.Thecloudtopsweretouchedbyawashofredlightthatlenttheeveninganodd,dreamlikequality.The sky in this place, so often filled with monumental, billowing clouds,

seemedoverpoweringlyimmense,leavingKahlanfeelingtinyandinsignificant.The flat plains to the south stretched endlessly to the lonely horizon. Littlevegetationgrewinsuchadesolateplace,andwhatdidgrowwasfoundmostlyinthelow-lyingplaces.The clouds sweeping across the landscape dragged columns of rain but, as

vastas theplacewas, therainsneverseemedanymore thanadistant, isolatedphenomenon.Kahlansuspectedthatifoneweretostandinthesamespotforayearwaitingforoneofthoserandomshowerstopassoverhead,itwouldlikelynothappen.Thebarren landscapemade lifeseemfragileandforlorn.Only themountains to the north and east seemed able to comb rain from the parade ofclouds.Asaresult,thetreesdidn’tventuredownfromtheirmountainrefuge.When the horses snorted and stamped their hooves,Kahlanpulled the reins

tighterandabsentlyrubbedoneoftheanimalsunderitsjawtoreassureitthatallwaswell.The horse gently nudgedher,wantingmore.As shewaited,Kahlanturnedaway from thehauntingdesolationandgave thehorseamoreattentivescratch.In the distance she could seewhere thewall ofmountains dwindled into a

massiveheadland.Thatheadland,likethetailofsomesleepingbeast,lookedtobe the southern tip of the mountains they had been following south. Kahlanwished shewereback in thosemountains.Themountainsgaveher a senseofsanctuary,probablybecause,unliketheopenplains,shedidn’tfeellikeanyoneformilesaroundcouldseeher.Outontheplainshefeltnakedandexposed.Sherealized that she didn’t really know why she should feel that way, since shecould hardly be in a worse circumstance than being a forgotten slave to theSisters.Kahlanthoughtthatshecouldseewhatlookedlikebuildingsuponthedistant

headland. If her eyesweren’t trickingher, thebuildings looked like theywereprobably no more than ruins. If they really were buildings, then few of thestructuresappearedtohaveroofs.Whatatfirstmadenosensefinallybegantowhensheconsideredifwhatmighthavebeenwallshadactuallycrumbledlong

ago;thatwouldexplaintheoddshapes.Shedidn’tseeanysignofpeople.They,too,wereprobablylongforgotten.Eveniftheyreallywereabandonedbuildings,longdesertedplacesmadethe

Sistersnolesswarythaneverythingelsedid.Theirwarinessseemedtobebornofasenseofcompleteandtotaldominionnearlywithintheirgrasp.Inthisplace,though,Kahlansharedtheiredginess.The three Sisters had been silent for most of the day, speaking only when

necessary. The back of Kahlan’s shoulder still throbbed in pain where SisterUlicia had unexpectedly struck her. It had not been punishment for anytransgression—real or imagined—but rather had been delivered with a sternwarningnottocauseanytrouble.TheSisterssometimessoughttoexpresstheirsuperiorityoverothers, even if itwasby showing that theycouldhurtKahlanjust because they wanted to. She had to school her thoughts lest one of theSisterspickuponwhatKahlan thoughtofher treatment.She’dswallowedherdignityalongwithherthoughtsandsimplysaid,“Yes,Sister.”Kahlandidn’tthinkthatitwasagoodideatogostumblingaroundinthedark,

especiallywhen theywere beginning to come upon a landscape deeply ruttedand eroded inplacesby runoff from thehighground.Thehorses could easilybreakaleginsuchconditions.But,intheirambitiontogettoCaska,theSistershadn’twantedtostopwheneveninghadbeguntoengulfthem.WhattheSisterswanted,theSistersgot.Kahlanwasn’tlookingforwardtoeventuallysettingupcampinthedark.“Ithinkthere’ssomeoneoutthere,”SisterArminasaidinaquietvoiceasshe

staredoutintothedarkness.“Isensesomething,too,”SisterCeciliamurmured.SisterArminaglancedover,expectantly.“Maybeit’sTovi.”“Couldbenothingmorethanawildmule.”SisterUliciadidn’tappeartobein

amood to standaround speculating. “Comeon.”SheglancedbackatKahlan.“Stayclose.”“Yes,Sister,”Kahlansaid.ShehandedtheSistersthereinstotheirhorses.SisterCecilia,olderthantherestofthem,gruntedwiththeeffortofswinging

hertiredmusclesupintohersaddle.“MymemoriesoftheraremapsdowninthevaultsatthePalaceoftheProphetstellmethatweshouldbegettingclosetotheplace.”“I recall seeing that ancient map,” Sister Ulicia said, once seated atop her

horse.“ItcalledthisplacetheDeepNothing.ThatwouldmeanthatithastobeCaskauponthatdistantheadland.”SisterArmina heaved an impatient sigh as she urged her horse on after the

others.“ThenwewillatlastfindTovihere.”“Andwhenwefinallyjoinupwithher,”SisterCeciliasaid,“sheisgoingto

havesomeexplainingtodo.”SisterArmina gestured off toward the distant headland. “You knowTovi—

always ignoringwhatshe’ssupposed todobecauseshe thinkssheknowsbest.She’sthemostobstinatewomanI’veevermet.”AsfarasKahlanwasconcerned,Arminahadlittleroomtotalk.“We’ll seehowobstinate she iswhen Ihavemy fingersaroundher throat,”

SisterCeciliasaid.SisterArminaurgedherhorseupbesideSisterUlicia. “Youdon’t think she

couldbeuptonogood,doyou,Ulicia?”“Tovi?”SisterUliciaglancedbackoverhershoulder.“No,notreally.Shemay

beexasperatingattimes,butshehasthesamegoalasdotherestofus.Besides,she knows as well as we do that we need all three of the boxes. She knowswhat’sinvolvedandwhat’satstake.“Wewill soon have the three boxes all back together again—that’s all that

reallymatters—andwewillalreadybeinCaska,soIsupposeitwouldn’treallyhavedoneusanygoodtocatchupwithTovibeforenow.Westillwouldhavehadtocomehereanyway.”“Butwhywouldshehavetakenoffthewayshedid?”SisterCeciliapressed.SisterUliciashrugged.Unlike theother two,sheseemed tobesomewhatat

ease, now that Caska was in sight. “It could be nothing more than that shediscovered ImperialOrder troops nearby and she simplywanted to avoid anypossibilityoftroublesosheleftthearea.Sheprobablywasusingherhead,that’sall.Sheknewwehadtocomehere.Sheprobablysawachancetoslipawayandtookit.We’rebetterservedbysuchcaution.Shewas,intheend,goingtowhereweplannedongoingallalong,soIdon’treallyseewhatmischiefshecouldbeupto.”“I suppose.” Sister Cecilia seemed somewhat disappointed not to have a

villainuponwhomtofixateheranger.Theyrodeinsilencefornearlyanhourmorebeforeitbecameapparenttothe

Sisters that ridingoversuchground in thedarkmightnotonlyriskbreakingahorse’s leg, but one of their necks as well. As far as Kahlan could tell, theyweren’tmuchclosertotheheadlandthantheyhadbeenformostoftheday.Outon theplain,distanceswere fargreater than theyappeared tobe.Whatat firstseemedtobeaplaceonlyacoupleofmilesdistantcouldturnouttotakedaystoreach.TheSisters,despite theireagerness toget toCaskaandTovi,were tiredandreadytostopforthenight.

Sister Ulicia dismounted, handing the reins to Kahlan. “Get camp set up.We’reallhungry.”Kahlandippedherhead.“Yes,Sister.”She immediately hobbled all the horses so they couldn’t wander off, then

madeherwayaround to the sideof thepackanimals to start gettingout theirgear.Shewasdead tiredbutknew that itwouldprobablybehoursbefore shewouldhaveachancetogetanysleep.Thecamphadtobesetup,foodhadtobeprepared,andthenthehorseshadtobefed,watered,andgroomedforthenight.SisterUlicia tookholdofSisterArmina’s armandpulledher close. “While

we’remaking camp, Iwant you to goout there and check the area. Iwant toknowifit’sjustamule.”SisterArminanoddedandimmediatelysetoutonfootintothedarkness.SisterCeciliawatchedSisterArminadissolve into thenight.“Doyoureally

thinkit’samule?”SisterUliciacastheradarklook.“Ifitisamule,it’sstayingthesamedistance

awayaswetravel.Ifit’ssomeonewatchingus,thenArminawillfindthem.”KahlanpulledoutthebedrollswhentheSistersaskedforsomethingsofterto

sitonother thanthebarrenground.Shethenpulledoutoneof thepotssoshecouldgetsomedinnerstarted.“Nofiretonight,”SisterUliciasaidwhenshesawKahlanwiththepot.Kahlan stared at her a moment. “What would you like for dinner, then,

Sister?”“Thereisbannockleftover.Wecanhavethatandsomedriedmeats.Wehave

pinenutsaswell.”Shegazedoutintothenight.“Idon’twantafireouthereintheopen,whereanyonefromhorizontohorizoncouldseeus.Justgetoutoneofthesmallerlanterns.”Kahlan could not imaginewhat theSisters had toworry about. She handed

SisterArminathelantern.Thesisterlititwithaflickofafinger,thensetitonthegroundbeforeherandSisterUlicia.Itwasn’tmuchlighttoseebyasKahlanfinishedunpacking,butatleastitwasbetterthannothing.Therehadbeentimesinthepastwhenpatrolsofsoldiershappenedonthem.

TheSistershadneverbeenespecially spookedby suchunexpectedencounterswithhostileforces.TheSistershaddispatchedthesoldierswithoutanyproblem—ormercy.When they had run into patrols the Sisters were careful not to allow any

witnessestogetaway,apparentlysothattherewouldn’tbeanychanceofreportsgettingbacktothearmy.Kahlansupposedthatitwaspossiblethatsuchreportscouldresultingreatnumbersofangrymencomingafterthem.TheSistersdidn’t

appear especially concerned about that possibility; it seemedmore likely thattheysimplyhadbusinessandtheydidn’twanttobeslowedforanything.Getting toTovi and the last boxwas of paramount importance to them and

theyhaddrivenhardtogetthisfarthisquickly.Kahlanwassomewhatsurprisedthat they had not caught Tovi before now, especially since nothing seemedanywherenearasimportanttotheSistersastheirpreciousboxes.Except that theywereLordRahl’sboxes.TheSistershad stolen them from

RichardRahl’spalace.Ononeoccasion,intheirrush,theyhadcomeacrossalargedetachmentofthe

bigImperialOrderbrutes.TheSistershadbeenimpatienttogetpastthesoldiers,togetonwiththeirbusinesswiththeboxes,butthemenappearedinnohurrytomoveonoutoftheway.TheSisterswaiteduntilthemiddleofthenightandthenwalked through the encampment of sleepingmen.Any time aman saw them,oneoftheSisterscastoutasilentspellthatdispatchedthemanwithoutanyado.TheSistershadshownnocompunctionaboutkillinganymanwhohappenedtobe in their way. They moved through the camp quietly, fearlessly, anddeliberately.Kahlansawalotofmendiethatnight.TotheSisters,ithadbeennomoreeventfulthansteppingonantspesteringthematcamp.Butthathadbeenalongtimeagoandtheyhadnotseenanytroopssince.The

ImperialOrderarmywasnowfardistantbehindthemandforquitesometimehad no longer been a consideration. That didn’t mean, however, that therecouldn’tbeotherhazards,andsotheSisterswerefrequentlyasnervousascats.Withoutwarning,however,theycouldeasilyturnasdangerousasvipers.LongafterSisterArminareturnedwithoutfindinganyoneabout,andthethree

Sisters had eaten, Kahlan still worked to finish her chores before she wasallowedtoeat.Shewascurryingthehorseswhenshethoughtthatsheheardthesoftsoundoffootstepsonthehardscrabbleground.Thesoundbroughtheroutofherthoughtsaboutthesoldiers.Herhandwiththecurrybrushpaused.Shelookedoverhershoulderandwasstartledtoseeaslendergirlwithshort,

darkhairstandingtimidlyjustattheedgeofthefaintlanternlight.With the moon only occasionally peeking out from between the passing

clouds, thecampwasmostly left to the lightof the single lanternbackby theSisters,soitwashardtosee,butKahlancouldseewellenoughtoseetheyoungwoman’spaleeyesstaringather.Inthoseeyeswastheclearlookofcognition.ThegirlsawKahlan.“Please—”thegirlsaid.Kahlancrossedherlipswithafinger,lesttheSisters

hear the girl. Just like themanback at the inn, this girl saw and rememberedKahlan.Kahlanwasastonished,andatthesametimefearfulthatthesamething

wouldhappentothegirlashadhappenedtotheman.“Please,” thegirl repeated ina lowwhisper, “may Ihave something toeat?

I’msohungry.”Kahlan glanced at the Sisters. They were busy talking among themselves.

Kahlanreachedintohersaddlebaginthepilenearherfeetandpulledoutastripofdriedvenison.Sheagaincrossedherlipswithonefingerandhandedthegirlthemeat.Thegirlnoddedherunderstandinganddidn’tmakea sound.Takingthemeateagerlyinbothhand,sheimmediatelyusedherteethtoripoffabite.“Go,now,”Kahlanwhispered,“beforetheyseeyou.Hurry.”ThegirlglancedupatKahlan,thenlookedpasther.Hereyeswentwide.Her

chewinghalted.“Well,well,”cameamenacingvoiceoverKahlan’sshoulder,“if it isn’tour

littlemulecometostealfromus.”“Please,shewashungry,”Kahlansaid,hopingtodouseSisterUlicia’sanger

before it flared.“Sheaskedforabite toeat.Shedidn’t steal it. Igavehermyfood,notanyofyours.”SisterUliciawasjoinedbytheothertwo,sothatitlookedlikethreevultures

all in a row. Sister Armina lifted the lantern to have a better look. All threelookedliketheyintendedtopickthegirl’sbonesclean.“Probably waiting till we went to sleep,” Sister Ulicia said as she leaned

closer,“soshecouldcutourthroats.”Copper-coloredeyesshowninthelamplightas thefrightenedyoungwoman

gazedupatthem.“Iwasn’tlyinginwait.Iwashungry.IthoughtImightbeabletogetalittlefood,that’sall.Iasked,Ididnotsteal.”The young woman reminded Kahlan a little of the girl back at the White

HorseInn,thegirlKahlanhadpromisedtoprotect,thegirlthatSisterUliciahadsobrutallymurdered.Atnight,beforeshefellasleep,thememoryofthatgirl’sterror still hauntedKahlan.Her failure to keep her promise of protection stillburnedinKahlan’ssoul.Evenifthegirlhadn’tbeenabletorememberKahlan’swordslongenoughtocomprehendthem,Kahlanhatedthatshehadmadesuchapromiseandthenfailedtokeepit.Thisgirlwasalittleolder,alittletaller.Kahlancouldseeinhereyes,too,a

kindofquietcomprehensionofthetruedimensionofthethreatbeforeher.Therewas a kind of knowing caution in her copper eyes. But she was still a girl.Womanhoodwasstillamysterythatlayjustoverherlife’shorizon.Sister Armina suddenly smacked the girl. The blow spun her around,

knocking her to the ground. The Sister pounced on her. The girl covered herheadwithherarmsasshetriedherbesttogetoutanapologyforaskingforfood.

SisterArminapawedatthegirl’sclothesbetweenstrikingher.When the Sister rose she held a knife that Kahlan didn’t recognize. She

waggleditinthelanternlight,thentossedittothegroundatSisterUlicia’sfeet.“Shewascarryingthis.Likeyousaid,sheprobablyintendedtocutourthroatsafterwe’dgonetosleep.”“Iintendednoharm!”thegirlcriedoutasSisterUliciaraisedheroakrod.Kahlanknewalltoowellwhatwascominganddoveoverthefrightenedgirl,

coveringher,protectingher.Sister Ulicia’s rod came crashing down across Kahlan’s back instead, right

overthespotwhereshehadbeenhitearlier.Thegirlflinchedatthecrackofoakagainstbone.Kahlancriedoutwiththepainoftheblow.WithallhereffortshepushedtheyoungwomanfartherawayfromtheSisters,

tryingtokeepherprotectedfromharm.“Leaveher be!”Kahlanyelled. “She’s just a child!She’s hungry, that’s all!

Shecan’thurtanyofyou!”In the grip of panic, the girl’s spindly arms clung toKahlan’s neck, as if it

weretheloneroothangingattheedgeofacliff.IfKahlancouldhavekilledtheSistersrightthen,shewouldhave,butinsteadshedidnomorethanprotectivelyshieldthegirl;sheknewthatifshetriedtofightthem,theSisterswouldpullherawayforretaliationandthenshecouldbenoprotectionatall.ThiswasthemostKahlancoulddoforthegirl.Again,SisterUlicia struckKahlan across the back.Kahlangritted her teeth

againstthepain.Againandagainthewomanlandedblowswiththerod.“Letthebratgo!”SisterUliciayelledasshebeatKahlan.Thegirlpantedinterror.“It’sallright,”Kahlanmanagedbetweengaspsforbreath,“I’llprotectyou.I

promise.”Theyoungwomanwhisperedbacka“thankyou”inKahlan’sear.Besides her desperate desire to protect such an innocent child, Kahlan

desperatelydidn’twanttolosethisconnectiontotheworld.ThegirlknewthatKahlanexisted.Shecouldseeher,hearher,rememberher.Kahlanneededthatlifelinebacktotheworldofpeople.SisterUliciatookastridecloserassheswungawayatKahlan,puttingallher

muscleintothebeating.Kahlanknewshewasingrievoustrouble,butshewasnotgoingtowillinglyallowthemtoharmthisgirlastheyhadthelastone.ThegirlhaddonenothingtodeservewhatKahlanknewtheywoulddotoher.“Howdareyou—”“Ifyouwishtokillsomeone,”KahlanyelledupatSisterUlicia,“thenkillme,

butleaveherbe!She’snothreattoyou.”Sister Ulicia seemed content to do just that, growling with the effort of

clubbingKahlan, strikingover andover in a frenzy.KahlanwasgettingdizzywiththepainbutshewouldnotmovetoallowtheSistertogetatthegirl.Theyoungwomanhidunder theprotectionofKahlan’s largerframe,crying

outwithfright,notatwhattheSistersmightdotoher,butinanguishforwhattheyweredoingtoKahlan.TherodmadeasickeningsoundasitstruckthebackofKahlan’sskull.Itstunnedhernearlysenseless.Still,shewouldnotletgooftheyoungwoman.Bloodmattedherhairandrandownherface.AndthentherodbrokeagainstKahlan’sback.Thelargerpiecespunoutinto

the night. Sister Ulicia stood panting, in a blind rage, holding a useless stub.Kahlanexpected tobekilled,but inawaysheno longercared.Therewasnopossibilityofescape.Therewasnofutureforher.Ifshecouldn’tfightforthelifeofaninnocentyoungwomanthenlifewasofnovaluetoher.“Ulicia,”Arminawhispered as she caughtUlicia’swrist. “She seesKahlan.

Justlikethatmanattheinn.”SisterUliciastaredathercompanion,seeminglystartledbytheidea.SisterArminaliftedaneyebrow.“Weneedtofindoutwhat’sgoingon.”Sister Cecilia, a sinister glare twisting her features, not having heard what

SisterArminahadsaid, steppedcloserandstoodoverKahlan.“HowdareyoudefyaSister?We’regoingtoskinthisbrataliveandmakeyouwatchthewholethingtoteachyoualesson.”“Sister?”Thegirlasked.“Areyouallsisters?”The night suddenly seemed impossibly quiet. Kahlan’s world spun

sickeningly.Eachbreath felt likeknives twistingbetweenher ribs.Tears fromthepainof theblows randownher face.Shecouldn’t stop trembling,but stillshewouldnotabandonthegirl.SisterUliciatossedtheendofthebrokenoakrodaside.“WeareSisters.What

ofit?”sheasked,suspiciously.“Tovi toldme to watch for you, although you don’t look tomemuch like

Tovi’ssisters.”Everyonepaused.“Tovi?”SisterUliciacautiouslyasked.The girl nodded. She peeked out past Kahlan’s shoulder. “She’s an older

woman.She’sbig,biggerthananyofyou,andshedoesn’treallylooklikeyoursister,butshetoldmetogooutandwatchforhersisters.Shesaidthatthethreeofyouhadanotherwomanwithyou.”“AndwhywouldagirllikeyouagreetodoasToviasked?”

The girl brushed her dark hair back from her face. She hesitated, thenanswered.“Sheisholdingmygrandfathercaptive.ShesaidthatifIdidn’tdoasshesaid,thenshewouldkillhim.”UliciasmiledthewayKahlanimaginedasnakewouldsmile,ifasnakecould

smile.“Well,well.IguessyoureallydoknowTovi.Whereisshe,then?”Kahlanpushedherself upon an arm.Thegirl pointed toward theheadland.

“There. She is in a place with old books. She made me show her where thebookswerekept.Shetoldmetoguideyoutoher.”SisterUliciasharedalookwiththeothertwo.“Perhapsshe’salreadylocated

thecentralsiteinCaska.”SisterArminacackledwithreliefasshejoviallyclappedSisterCeciliaonthe

backoftheshoulder.SisterCeciliareturnedthegestureinkind.“Howfarisit?”SisterUliciaasked,suddenlyeager.“It will take all of two days, maybe three, if we leave at first light in the

morning.”Sister Ulicia peered off into the darkness for a moment. “Two or three

days…”Sheturnedback.“What’syourname?”“Jillian.”SisterUliciakickedKahlanintheside,theunexpectedblowrollingheroffthe

girl.“Well,Jillian,youcanhaveKahlan’sbedroll.Shewon’tbeneedingit.She’sgoingtostandforthenightaspunishment.”“Please,”JilliansaidasshelaidahandonKahlan’sarm,“ifnotforher,you

wouldnowbewithoutaguide to theplacewhereTovi is.Pleasedon’tpunishher.Shedidyouafavor.”SisterUliciaconsideredamoment.“I’lltellyouwhat,Jillian.Sinceyouspoke

up for our disobedient slave, I’ll let youmake sure that she doesn’t sit downduringthenight.Ifshedoesdisobeyus,Iwillgiveherabeatingthatwillleaveher with a painful limp for the rest of her life. But you can prevent that bymakingsureshestandstheentirenight.Whatdoyouthinkofthat?”Jillianswallowed,butdidn’tanswer.SisterUlicia snatchedKahlanby thehair andhauledher toher feet. “Make

sureshestaysonherfeet,orwhatwedotoherwillbeyourfaultfornotmakingsurethatshedidasshewastold.Understand?”Jillian,hercopper-coloredeyeswide,nodded.SisterUliciasmiledaslysmile.“Good.”Sheturnedtotheothertwo.“Come

on.Let’sgetsomesleep.”Aftertheyhadgone,Kahlangentlylaidahandonthetopoftheheadofthe

girlsittingatherfeet.

“Glad to meet you, Jillian,” Kahlan whispered so that the Sisters wouldn’thear.Jilliansmiledupather,andwhispered.“Thankyouforprotectingme.Your

promisewastrue.”ShegentlytookKahlan’shandandheldittohercheekforamoment.“YouarethebravestpersonI’veseensinceRichard.”“Richard?”“Richard Rahl. He was here before. He saved my grandfather, before, but

now…”Jillian’s voice trailed off as she looked away from Kahlan’s gaze. Kahlan

gently stroked the girl’s head, hoping to comfort her heartache for hergrandfather.Shegestured,pointingwithherchin.“Gointhatsaddlebag, there,Jillian,andgetyourselfsomethingtoeat.”She

was trembling from the pain, andwanted verymuch to lie down, butKahlanknew that Sister Ulicia had not made an empty threat. “Then if you would,please…justsitwithmeforthenight?Icoulduseafriendtonight.”Jilliansmiledupather.ItwarmedKahlan’shearttoseesuchasinceresmile.“In the morning you will have another friend to join us.” When Kahlan

twitchedafrown,Jillianpointedupatthesky.“Ihavearaven,namedLokey.Inthedayhewillcomeandentertainuswithsomeofhistricks.”Kahlansmiledattheveryideaofhavingaravenforafriend.The girl squeezed Kahlan’s hand. “I won’t leave you tonight, Kahlan. I

promise.”Asmuch agony as she was in, as bleak as her future seemed, Kahlanwas

joyous. Jillian was alive. Kahlan had just won her first battle, and thataccomplishmentwasexhilarating.

Chapter24As he walked among the gathered soldiers, Richard acknowledged their

greetingswithasmileandanod.Hewasinnomoodtosmile,buthefearedthatthe men would misunderstand it if he didn’t. Their eyes were filled withexpectationandhopeastheywatchedhimmakehiswayamongthem.Manyaman stood silently with a fist over his heart, not just in salute but in pride.RichardcouldnotbegintoexplaintoeachofthesementhehorrificthingsShotahadshownhim,andsohesmiledaswarmlyashewasable.Beyond the encampment, lightning flickered at the horizon. Even over the

soundsofcamplife,thethousandsofmenandhorses,oftheringofblacksmiths’hammers,theunloadingofsupplies,theprovisionsbeingdistributed,theordersbeingshouted,Richardcouldhearthelightning’sominousrumblerollingalongtheAzrithPlain.Angrythundercloudsgatheredanever-growingchargeofblackshadows under their skirts. The still, humid air was occasionally aroused bygusts that lifted flags and pennants to flapping attention.Almost as soon as itarrived, thewindwouldsuddenlyvanish, likeanadvanceguardracingbacktoreporttothegatheringstorm.Nooneseemedtocareaboutthethreateningsky,though.Theyallwantedto

get a glimpseofRichard as hemadehisway through the encampment.Therewas a timewhen this very armywas bound and determined to kill or capturehim.ButthatwasbeforeRichardhadbecometheLordRahl.Oncehehadtakenonthatresponsibility,hehadgiventhesementhechanceto

standforaworthycause,ratherthancarryarmsinservicetotyranny.Therehadbeensomewhohadviewedthatofferwithopenhatred.TheyturnedinsteadtothecauseoftheOrderandsweptacrossthelandwithblindbrutality,seekingtoexterminatetheveryideathatanymanhadarighttohisownlife.But the rest of them,most of them in fact, had not just taken upRichard’s

challenge,theyhadembraceditwiththekindoffervorthatonlymenwhohadlivedunder repression could.Thesemen, the first ingenerations tobeofferedrealfreedom,trulygraspeditsmeaningfortheirlives.TheyheldontenaciouslytothechancetoliveinthekindofworldRichardhadshownthemwaspossible.Therewasnogreaternormoremeaningfulagift thesemencould in turngivetheir families and loved ones than that chance to live life free, to live forthemselves.Manyhaddiedinthatnobleeffort.MuchthesameastheMord-Sith,thesemenfollowedhimnowbecausethey

choseto,notbecausetheywereforcedto.Whentheycalledhim“LordRahl”ithadmeaningtothemthatithadnevercarriedbefore.Butthesemennowfacedtheedgedsteelthatenforcedabeliefthatsaidthey

andtheir lovedoneshadnoright to theirownlives.Richarddidnotdoubt theheartsof thesemen,butheknewthat theycouldnotprevail inabattleagainstthevastnumbersofImperialOrderinvaders.Thisdayofalldays,hehadtobetheLordRahl.Iftherewastobeachanceatafutureworthliving,RichardhadtobetheLordRahlinthepurestsense,theLordRahlwhocaredaboutthoseheled.Hehadtomakethemseewhathesaw.Verna,hurryingalongbesidehim,tightenedhergriponhisarmassheleaned

a little closer. “Youcan’t imaginehowuplifting it is for thesemen to seeyoubeforethebattletheywillbefacing,Richard,thebattlethatprophecyhasbeenforetellingforthousandsofyears.Youjustcan’timagine.”Richard doubted that the men could imagine what he was about to ask of

them.HeglancedoveratVerna’ssmile.“Iknow,Prelate.”Becausetheyweresteadilymakingheadwaysouthtomeetthethreatfromthe

Imperial Order, the ride from the People’s Palace to catch up with them hadtakenconsiderably longer than the last timehehadcometosee thesesoldiers.OncetheOrderturnednorthupintoD’Hara,thisarmywasallthatstoodagainstthem. These men were the last hope of the D’Haran Empire. That was theircalling,theirduty.AndRichardknewwithoutdoubtthattheywouldlosethatbattle.Richard’staskwastoconvincethemofthecertaintyoftheirimpendingdefeat

anddeath.CaraandNicci, rightbehindhim,werepracticallywalkingonhisheels.He

didn’t think theyneeded tobe thatclose toprotecthim,buthealsoknew thatneitherwomanwouldlikelytakehiswordforit.Whenheglancedbackoverhisshoulder,Niccigavehimatightsmile.Hewonderedwhatshewouldsayoncesheheardwhathewasabouttotellthe

soldiers.Hesupposed thatshewouldunderstand.Ofall thosewhowouldhearwhat he had to say, shewas the one person he believedwould understand. Infact,hewascountingonit.Herunderstandingandsupportweresometimesallthatkepthimgoing.Therewere timeswhenhehadbeenreadytogiveupandNiccihadgivenhimthestrengthtogoon.RichardknewthatCara,ontheotherhad,wouldwelcomewhathewasabout

tosay,ifforentirelydifferentreasons.AlthoughCaralookedasgrimasever,asifshemighthavetokill theentire

armyshouldtheysuddenlyturnto treasonandattackRichard,hecouldtellbythewayherfingersworkedataseamofherredleatheroutfitthatshewaseagertoat lastseeGeneralMeiffert—Benjamin—again.Sincethelast timetheyhad

beenwiththesemenshewasalittlelessreticentaboutlettingherfeelingsforthehandsome D’Haran general be known. Richard suspected that Nicci hadsomethingtodowiththat.As overwhelmed as he felt about a world that seemed to be coming down

aroundhim,hewasinwardlygratifiedthataMord-Sithcouldevercometohavesuchfeelings,andevenmoresothatshewouldfinallybewillingtoletthembeknown, at least to him. Itwas confirmation that, beyond thebrutal trainingofthesewomen, theywereindividualswhoeachhadlong-suppresseddesiresandaspirationsthathadnotwitheredanddied,andthatthetruepersoninsidecouldagainblossom. Itwas an affirmationof his belief in a better future, that therecouldbeabetterfuture,likefindingabeautifulflowerinavastwasteland.AsRichardmarchedpastrowsoftents,wagons,picketedhorses,blacksmith

stations, and supply areas, he could seemen approaching from all directions,abandoningtheireveningchoresofcaringforanimals,repairinggear,tendingtosupplies,cooking,andsettingupyetmoretents.Aglancetothethickovercasttoldhimthattheywouldbesmarttoatleastfinishsettinguptheirtents.RichardspottedGeneralMeiffertamongtheseaofmenindarkuniforms.He

stoodtallamongofficersoutsidealargecommandarea.WhenRichardglancedbackoverhisshoulder,hecouldseebyCara’ssmilethatshesawhimaswell.Theassembledofficersandmenofrankwere toomanytofit intoa tent,so

they had gathered among a scattered boulder field. Awnings had been strungtogetheroverthearea,anchoredtothemassiveboulders,sothatthemeninthecommand center would be protected should the rain start. It didn’t look toRichard like it would protect them from anywind, but it would at least keepthemmostlydryastheyworkedonthedetailsofdirectinganarmythislarge.Richard leaned a little toward Verna as thunder shook the ground. “Your

Sisterswillbethere?”Verna nodded. “Yes. I sent runners to tell them that youwanted them there

alongwithalltheofficers.Thereareafewondistantreconnaissance,buttherestwillbethere.”“LordRahl,”GeneralMeiffertsaidasheclappedafisttohisheart.Richardbowedhishead.“General.Gladtoseeyouwell.Themenalllookin

order,asalways.”“Thank you, Lord Rahl.” His blue eyes were already taking in Cara. He

bowedatthewaisttoher.“MistressCara.”Caraactuallysmiled.“Youareahappysightformyeyes,Benjamin.”HadRichardnotbeensodistressedaboutthethingsthathadbroughthimto

bethere,hewouldhavederivedgreatpleasurefromseeingthemgazeintoeach

other’seyes.RichardrememberedlookingatKahlanthatway,rememberedhisinnerjoyatseeingher.CaptainZimmer,hisshapedleatherarmorservingtoaccentuatehispowerful

build,stoodnotfarbehindthegeneral.Someoftheotherofficers,insimilarifless simple uniforms, waited in a cluster nearby, while most were alreadyassembled under the awning. The groups of men, engaged in earnestconversation, all fell quiet and turned to see Lord Rahl, the leader of theD’HaranEmpire.Richarddidn’thavetimeforpleasantries,sohedoverightin.Likewise, the regular soldiers who had gathered all around stood silentlywatching.“Arealltheofficersandmenofrankhere,General?”Richardasked.Themannodded.“Yes,LordRahl.Everyoneofthemincamp,anyway.There

aresomeoutonlong-rangepatrol.HadweknownofyourarrivalandwishesIwouldhaverecalledthem,butasitiswewouldneedsometimetogetthembackhere.Ifyouwish,Iwillsendwordatonceforthemtoreturn.”Richardliftedahandtoforestallthesuggestion.“No,that’snotnecessary.As

longasmostofthemareassembledthatwilldo.Therestcanbebriefedlater.”TherewerefartoomanymenintheencampmentforRichardtobeheardand

understoodbythemall.Hisintentwastospeakindetailtotheofficersandmenofrank,andthenhavethemspreadthewordamongtheirownmen.Therewereenoughofficersgatheredforthattask.Thegeneral,inacasualbutclearlycommandingmanner,gesturedtothemen

surrounding the command area, watching the great event. They immediatelybegan to disperse, going back to their own work, while their commanderslearnedoftheirfate.GeneralMeiffertheldoutanarm,invitingRichardandhisescortinunderthe

shelter.Richardfirstglancedatthesky,judgingthechancestobegoodthattherainwouldsoonstart inearnest. Inunder theexpansive tarp,hundredsofmenweregatheredtightlytogether.Richardtappedhisfisttohisheart,returningthecollective,muffledthumpoftheirsharpsalutes.“I amhere today,”Richard began as he scanned all the eyeswatchinghim,

“aboutthegravestofissues…thecomingfinalbattlewiththeadvancingarmyoftheImperialOrder.“TheremustbenoconfusionaboutwhatIwillhavetosay.Ineedeveryone

ofyoutounderstandwhatisatstake,whatIamgoingtoaskofyou,andwhy.Thisisaboutallofourlives;IwillnotholdbackanythingfromyouandIwillanswerhonestlyandtothebestofmyabilityanythingyouwanttoknow.Pleasefeel free toaskyourquestions,voiceyourobjections,oreven todisagreewith

certain points as I lay out what I’ve decided. I value your vast collectiveknowledgeandskill.Itrustinyourabilityandexperience.“ButIhavehad toweighandconsidermattersoutsideyourpurviewandon

everythingput together Ihavemademydecision. Icanappreciate that, absentsuchinformation,youmanynotentirelyunderstandmyreasoning,soIwilldomybesttoexplainit,buttherewillbenodissentaboutmyconclusion.”Richard’s voice took on an edge of absolute resolve. “You will followmy

orders.”Themenallsharedlooks.ThiswasassternacommandasanyRichardhad

evergiventhem.Intheafternoonhush,Richardbegantoslowlypacebackandforth,choosing

hiswordscarefully.Hefinallygesturedouttothecrowdbeforehim.“Asofficers,asmenofcommand,whatisitthatpreoccupiesyourmindsthe

most?”Afteramoment’sconfusedsilence,anofficertothesidespokeup.“Isuppose

that we’re all thinking about what you’ve already mentioned, Lord Rahl: thefinalbattle.”“That’sright,thefinalbattle,”Richardsaidashecametoahaltandturnedto

themen.“That’sthecommonwayweallthink,thateverythingwillcomedowntothatdefiningmoment,theclimaxofeveryone’seffort,andthattherewillbeafinal,grandbattletodecideitall—whowins,wholoses,whorules,whoserves,wholives,whodies.ThisisthewayJagangthinksaswell.”“Hewouldn’tbetheirleaderifhedidn’t,”anolderofficersaid.Sporadicchucklesrippledthroughtheassembledmen.“True enough,” Richard said in a solemn voice. “Especially in the case of

EmperorJagang.Hisobjectiveistocarryhiscausetothatfinalbattleandinthatconcludingcontestcrushusonceandforall.Heisaveryintelligentfoe.Hehasgottenustofocusonthatfinalbattle.Hisstrategyisworking.”The laughter had died out. Themen looked a little displeased that Richard

wouldgivethemansomuchcredit.Soldierslikethesedidn’tliketogranttheirenemy too much mastery lest their own men suffer a failing of courage atfightinghim.Richardhadnointerest inmakingJagangseemlessofa threat thanhewas.

Quite the opposite; hewanted to give thesemen an accurate glimpse ofwhattheywereupagainst,andthetruedimensionsofthemenace.“JagangisadevoteeofagamecalledJa’LadhJin.”Seeingsomeofthemen

nod, Richard knew that they had become at least somewhat familiar with thegame.“HehashisownJa’La team,much like theFellowshipofOrderhas its

ownarmy.Jagang’soverridingconcern,whenhesendshisteamintoplay,istowinatJa’La.Tothatendhecollectedthebiggest,toughestplayersforhisteam.He does not view it as a contest, a competition, as some do. He intends notmerelytobevictoriousinanyJa’Lamatch,buttooverwhelmtheopposition.“Jagang’steamoncelost.Hissolutionwasnottotryharderthenexttime,to

trainandcoachhisplayers,todobetterthenexttime.Heinsteadwentoutandgototherplayers.Hecreateda teamof thebiggest,strongest, fastestmen.ThetranslationofJa’LadhJin,bytheway,is‘thegameoflife.’“Inthebeginning,whenhewasjoiningallthevariouskingdomsandlandsof

theOldWorldintoonenation,Jaganglostbattles.Helearnedthelessonsoflife.Hegot thebiggest,meanestarmyhecouldand in theendheunited theentireOldWorldunderthebanneroftheOrder.Whenheembarkedonthiswar,atthebehestof theFellowshipofOrder,Jagangmadesurethathewouldhaveathisdisposal the resources necessary to insure that he would have a force largeenoughtodothejob.Youmenwoulddonoless.“Jagang occasionally still lost battles. Again he learned. He responded by

callingupon those resources to see to it thathehadmoremen.That’showheapproachesthegoalofwinningthewaronbehalfoftheOrder.Theresultisthattodayhehasaforcesooverwhelmingthathecancrushallopposition.Heknowsthathewillwin.So,helooksforwardtothefinalbattle.“Inaddition,EmperorJagangwasadreamwalker,amanwithpowershanded

downtohimthroughancientmagic.Heusedthatabilitytoinvadethemindsofothersnotonlytogainknowledge,buttocontrolthem.Today,asyouknow,hecontrols a number of gifted people, Sisters of the Light and the Dark amongthem.Hethuscommandsbothforcesofsteelandmagic.”“Lord Rahl,” one of the older officers said, interrupting Richard’s pacing

speech, “you dismiss our men too easily. Most of our army is made up ofD’Haranforcesandtherestwehavetrained.Thesemenknowwhatisatstake.They are not green recruits. They are experienced soldierswho know how tofight.WealsohaveVerna andherSisters,whohadproven themselves.AlongwiththeseskilledsoldiersandSistersoftheLight,wehaverightonourside.”“The ImperialOrder isnotpredestined to lose justbecause theyareevil. In

thelongrunevilwillturninonitself,butforourlivesandthelivesofthoseweprotect that is little comfort. Evil can still dominate mankind for a thousandyears,twothousand,orevenmorebeforeiteventuallydiesofitsownpoison.”Richardstartedpacingagainashespokewithgreatpassion.“Therearetimes

inhistorywhenthingsmighthavegoneeitherwaybutforthevalianteffortsofsomeindividuals,Igrantyouthat.Infact,Iamcountingonit.Thisisthetime

whenwedecidewhatwillbeourfuture.Thisisthetimewhenwemustdowhatmustbedone,despitehowpainfulitwillbe,ifweandourchildrenaretohaveafuture.Ourfuture,freedom’sfuture,hingesonusandwhatwedo,onwhetherornotwesucceed.”“LordRahl,”theolderofficersaidwithquietassurance,“themenknowthat

ourbacksaretothewall.Theywillfight,ifthat’swhatyou’resuggesting.”Richardrealized that themenweren’tunderstandingwhathewasgettingat.

Hestoppedandfaced themenasheclaspedhishandsbehindhisback. In thebackofhismindhecouldseetheghostlyimagethatShotahadshownhimofthebloodyendofitall.Itwaslikeaweighttryingtodraghimunder.Richardfinallyspoke.“I’vealwayssaidthatIcan’tleadusintoafinalbattle

with theOrderorwewould lose.Thingshavehappened since last Iwaswithyoumenthatmakemebelievethatnowmorethaneverbefore.”Rumblingsofdiscontentmatchedtherumblingsofthunderfillingthegloomy

afternoon air. Before they could object or take him off on a tangent, Richardwenton.“Thearmyof theOrder isvery soongoing tobeadvancingup intoD’Hara

fromthesouthontheirwaytothePeople’sPalace.Youmenareadvancingsouthto meet them. They know that. They expect that. They want that. We aremarchingtoJagang’sorders.Heiscontrollingourtactics.Heisdrawingusintoabattleheknowswecan’twinandthathecan’tlose.”Voicesofprotesterupted,all shouting that the futurewasn’t fixed, that they

couldprevail.Richardheldupahandtohaltthevoices.“Whilethefutureisn’tfixed,reality

iswhatitis.Assoldiersyouplanyourtacticsaccordingtowhatyouknow,notwhatyouwish.“Even ifbysomemiraclewewereable towin this loomingbattle, itwould

turnoutnottobedecisive.Suchabattlewouldendupmerelybeingafightwewonatagreatcost,whiletheOrderwouldsimplycomerightbackatusagainwithanevenlargerforce.Evenifweweretowintheimpendingbattle—whichIknowwecan’t—wewould thenhave to fightanotherbattleagainstevenmoremen,andthenanother.“Why?Because each timewe fight themwe losemen and getweaker.We

havelittlereservestocallupon.EachtimeJagangneedsthem,hegetsasteadystreamofnearlylimitlessreinforcementsandonlygetsstronger.“Wewould lose in the end for onevery simple reason: nowar is everwon

defensively. While a defensive battle can be won, a war cannot be wondefensively.”

“So,”anofficerasked,“whatdoyoupropose?Thatwesueforpeace?”Richard dismissed the idea with a casual, if irritated, gesture. “The Order

wouldgrantnopeaceterms.Maybelongago,inthebeginning,theywouldhaveacceptedoursurrender,allowedustobowandkisstheirboots,allowedustoputonthechainsofslavery,butnotnow.Nowtheywantonlyavictoryboughtandpaid forwithourblood.Butwhatdifferencewould ithavemade?Eitherway,the end result would be the same: the murder and subjugation of us and ourpeople.Howwe lose, for themostpart, is irrelevant.Surrenderordefeatendswiththesameresult.Onewayortheotherallislost.”“Then…what?”themanstammeredinaheatedvoice.“Fightonuntilweare

finallykilledorcaptured?”Themenstaredatthered-facedofficerwhohadspoken.Thesemenhadbeen

fighting theOrderfora long time.Theywerenothearinganything theydidn’talreadyknow.Still,fightingtheinvaderswasalltheycoulddo.Itwastheirduty.Itwastheonlythingtheyknew.Richard turned and took inCara. Standing there in her red leather, her feet

spread, her hands clasped behind her back, she looked like she believed shecouldtakeontheOrderallbyherself.Richard gestured to the woman standing beside Cara. “Nicci, here, once

servedontheirside.”Whenheheardthewhispersaboutanenemyamongthem,he added, “Much the same as all of youwere once in the service of tyrannywhenyouservedDarkenRahl,andsomeofyouevenhisfather,PanisRahl.Youhadnochoice.DarkenRahldidnotcarewhatyouwantedtodowithyourlives.Heonlycaredthatyoufollowedhisorders.Now,whengivenachoice,youhavecommittedtoourcause.Niccihasaswell.“The men of the Order are different. You were fighting because you were

madetounderthreatofviolenceorevendeath.Theyarefightingbecausetheybelieve in a cause. They hunger to fight. Theywant to be a part of theirwareffort.“Since shewas there,with Jagang,Nicci has firsthand knowledge. She has

seenthingsthatmayhelpputitintoperspectiveforyou.”RichardturnedagaintoNicci.Shelookedlikeastatue,herskinsmoothand

fair,herblondhairtumbleddownoverhershoulders.Therewasnothingaboutherface,herfigure,thatRichardwouldhavechangedifheweretheonetocarvea statue of her. She was a picture of beauty, who had seen ugliness beyondimagining.“Nicci,pleasetellthesemenwhatwillhappentothemiftheyarecapturedby

theImperialOrder.”

Richard had no ideawhat shewould say,what she knew, but he did know,especiallyfromthethingsJebrahadtoldthem,thattheOrderhadonlycontemptforlife.“TheOrderdoesnotexecute theircaptives immediately.”Withdeadlycalm,

Nicciglidedonestepclosertoallthemenstaringather.ShewaitedatRichard’ssideuntil thesilencewaspainfulandshehad theundividedattentionofeverymanbeforeher.“First,”shesaid,“everymancapturediscastrated.”Acollectivegaspwentupfromtheassembledmen.“After that,after theyhavesufferedunendurableagonyandhumiliation, the

onesstillaliveareputtotorture.Theoneswhosurvivethetorturearefinallyputtodeathinonebrutalfashionoranother.“ThosewhosurrendertotheOrderwithoutafightaresparedsuchtreatment.

That is the design behind the cruelty toward captives—to strike fear into apotentialadversarysothattheywillsurrenderwithoutafight.Theirtreatmentofciviliansincapturedcitiesisjustasbrutalandithasthesamegoalinmind.Asaresult,manycitieshavefallentotheOrderwithoutafight.“Youmenhavefoughtthemlongandhard.Youwouldnotbesparedanyofit.

IfyouarecaughtbyJagang’sforcesthereisnohopeforyou.Youwillbemadetowishwithallyourhearts thatyouhadneverbeenborn.Deathwillbeyouronlyrelease.“Not that itmatters.Lifeunder theOrder isnotmuchdifferent thanwaiting

fordeathatthehandsoftheOrder.LifeundertheOrderisaslow,grindingdeathinitself.Itjusttakeslonger;themiseryofitstretchesoutoveryears.“Only thosewhohate life,andeverythinggood,prosper.TheOrder, infact,

fostersandencouragesthosewhohatethegoodaspectsoflife.Theirteachingsare, after all, formed from a bitter hatred for the good.The environment suchbeliefscreateisoneofuniversalmisery.Thehatersrelishthemiseryofothers,sincethegoodangersthem.Ifcaptured,thesehaterswouldbeyourmasters.”Themen stood in stunned silence. In that silence,Richard heard the gentle

patter of rain on the awning stretched overhead. The stormwas rolling in onthem.Niccispokeoffhandedlyintothesilence.“Thefriedtesticlesoftheirenemies

areaprizedtreatforthesoldiersoftheImperialOrder.Thecampfollowerswillscourabattlefieldafterabattle, looking for lootandanywoundedenemystillalivethattheycancastrate.Thoseprecious,bloodygemsharvestedfromalivingenemy are a valuable and sought-after commodity during the drunkencelebrationafteravictory.Thesoldiersbelievethatsuchadelicacygivesthemgreaterstrengthandvirility.Afterwards,theyturntheirattentiontotheirwomen

captives.”Richard pinched the bridge of his nose between a thumb and first finger.

“Anythingelse?”Nicciraisedaneyebrow.“Isn’tthatenough?”Richardheavedasighashelethishanddrop.“Iguessso.”Heturnedbacktothemen.“Thesimpletruthisthatthereisnowayyoucan

winthecomingbattle.Youaregoingtolose.”Richardtookadeepbreathandfinallyutteredtheunspeakablewordshehad

cometosay.“Thatiswhytherewillbenofinalbattle.WewillnotfightEmperorJagang

and his army of the Imperial Order. As Lord Rahl, leader of the D’HaranEmpire, I refuse toallowsuchanactofpointlessself-destruction.Wewillnotfightthem.“Instead, I have come to disperse our army. There will be no final battle.

JagangwillhavetheNewWorldunopposed.”Richardsawtearsfillingtheeyesofmanyaman.

Chapter25Richard’swordswerereceivedlikeaslap.An angry officer shouted, “Then why should we fight?” He swept an arm

around at his fellows. “We’ve been at thiswar for years.Many of our fellowsoldiersareno longerhere,withus,because theyhavesacrificed their lives topreserveourcauseandlovedones.Ifthereisnochance,ifwearejustgoingtoloseintheend,thenwhyhavewebotheredtofight?Whyshouldwebothertocontinueinthisstruggle?”Richardsmiledbitterly.“That’sthewholepoint.”“Whatpoint?”themangrowled.“Ifpeopleseenochancefortriumph,nochancetowin,andseeinsteadthat

theyfaceonlyruinanddeath,thentheybegintolosetheirwilltofight.Iftheyseethattheyhavenochancetospreadtheirbeliefs,thattheyfaceonlydeathiftheycontinuetotrytodoso,thentheywillbegintowanttoforgetallaboutsuchawar.”If anything, the man was only getting angrier, as were many of the other

officers.“Soyou’retellingustoforgetaboutthewar?Thatwecan’twinagainstthewilloftheOrder?Thatsincewecan’twinthereisnothingtofightfor?”Richardclaspedhishandsbehindhisbackasheliftedhischinwithresolve.

Hewaiteduntilhewassurethathehadeveryear.“No.I’mtellingyouthatIwanttomakethepeopleoftheOldWorldfeelthat

way.”Themenfrownedinconfusion,mutteringquestionsamongthemselves.They

quicklyquieteddownasRichardwenton.“Jagangisbringinghisarmyup intoD’Hara.Hewants tomeetus inbattle.

Why?Becausehebelieveshecandefeatus.Ibelieveheisright.Idon’tbelievethis because youmen lack anything in bravery, training, strength, or skill, butsimplybecauseIknowhowvasthisresourcesare.I’vespenttimedownintheOldWorld.Iknowhowvasttheplaceis.Toanextent,becauseIhavetraveledthrough the Old World, I know how many people they have, how muchlivestock,crops, andotherassets. I’ve seen; these thingsona scale I’veneverseenbefore.Theyhavereservesyoucannotevenbegintoimagine.“Jaganghas amassed an enormous forceof savagemenwhoaredevoted to

theirbeliefs.Theyintendtocrusheveryoneandeverythingopposingthem.Theylusttobeconqueringheroes,tospreadtheirfaith.Jaganghasbeenprovidedwitheverythinghisexperiencetellshimhewillneed,andthenhedoubledit.Justtobecertain,hethendoubleditagain.“Jagangdoesnotholdperversemoralnotionsofwarfarefoughtbyemploying

nomoreassetsthananopponentpossesses—ofsomekindoffabricatedfairnessimposedontheactofmortalcombat.Hehasnointerestinanequalcontest—norshouldhe.Heisinterestedonlyinmasteringus.Thatishistask.:“To that end, they want us to defend from the position of our greatest

vulnerability,fightfromourweakestfooting—onthebattlefield,inatraditionalfinalbattle.ThatiswhatallofJagang’seffortshavebeendedicatedtobecauseit’swhat everyone expects. Theywant tomeet us thisway becausewe don’tstand a chance against their numbers. There is simply no way that we haveenoughforcestoprevail.Theywillthencrushus.“Afterwards,theywillcelebratetheirgreatvictory—asiftheaccomplishment

was ever indoubt—by fryingup all your testicles and then in adrunkenorgytheywillrapeyourwivesandsistersanddaughters!”Richardleanedtowardthemenandjabbedafingerathistemple.“Think!Are

yousomiredontheconceptofatraditionalfinalbattlethatyouhaveforgottenits purpose?Areyouputting the ‘theway it’s alwaysbeendone’ aheadof thereason for doing it? The sole reason for such a battle is to prevail over theenemy, to settle thematter once and for all.That concept of a final battle hasevolvedintothinkingthatit’sthewayitmustbedonebecausethatisthewayithasalwaysbeendone.“Stopbeingpointlessly tied to that idea.Think.Stopbeingblindedbywhat

youhavedonebefore.Stopthrowingyourselvesintoyourgravesasifbyrote.Think—think—abouthowtoaccomplishourobjective.”“Youmeantosaythatyouhaveabetterideathanfightingthem?”ayounger

officerasked.Likemostofthemen,helookedtrulypuzzled.Richardtookabreathinanefforttogetagriponhistemper.Heloweredhis

voiceandlookedamongallthesoberfacesashewenton.“Yes.Insteadofdoingtheexpectedandthrowingourselvesintoafinalbattle,

I simplywant to destroy them.That is, after all, the root objective of a grandfinalbattle.Ifsuchabattlewillnotaccomplishthatobjective,thenwemustfindanotherway.“UnlikethosewhofightforthebeliefsoftheOrder,noneofusneedstobrag

aboutagloriousvictoryonthefieldofbattle.Thereisnogloryinsuchthings.Thereissimplysuccessorfailure.Failuremeansanewdarkage.Successmeanswelivefree.Civilizationhangsinthebalance.It’sassimpleasthat.“Thereisnonarrowlydefinedfieldofbattleinsuchastruggleforlife,sucha

struggle for our very survival against men driven by a desire to murder usbecausetheythinkwehavenorighttoexist.Suchastruggleisnotafightoveraplotofground,awarover turf,but isbasedin themindsofmen,basedin the

veryideasthatmotivatethem.“Our lovedoneswillnotbebetter servedbyavictoryonabattlefield; they

willonlybeservedifweprevailinthisstruggleofideas.”GeneralMeiffertfinallyliftedahandtospeak.“LordRahl,ifnotbymeeting

themincombat,thenhowdoyouproposeweaccomplishsuchataskagainsta.foethatyouhavejustexplainedissovastthatitisunbeatable?Afterall,evenifitistheirbeliefsthatdrivethem,itistheirswordsthatwemustdealwith.”Mennodded,happythat theirgeneralhadaskedthequestiontheyallhadin

mind.ItwasalsothequestionRichardhadbeenwaitingfor.Hehaddiscouragedtheirhopeofavictoryinatraditionalbattlebythrowingouttheirmindset.Nowhehadtoshowthemhowtowinthewar.As the drumbeat of rain on the tarp overhead increased, Richard, hands

claspedbehindhisback,appraisedallthefaceswatchinghim.“Youmustbethethunderand lightningof freedom.Youmustbevengeanceunleashedagainstapeoplewithcorruptideasthathavenotjustallowedeviltodwellintheirhearts,butauthorizedandadvocatedit.“Wemust fight thewarourway.Wemust fight it forwhat it really is—not

armiesonafieldofbattleactingassurrogatesforideas,butawarforthefutureofmankind.“Assuch, it isawar inwhich theOldWorld is totallycommitted, inwhich

everyone on their side has dedicated themselves to the struggle. They arepassionate about their cause.Theybelieve inwhat they are doing.They thinktheyhaverightontheirside,thattheyareactingmorally,thattheyarefulfillingtheCreator’swishes,andsotheyarejustifiedinmurderingwhoevertheywishinordertodefinehowmankindwilllive.“Theyareallinvestingtheirproperty,theirlabor,theirwealth,andtheirlives

in the struggle. Their people—not just their army—want to subjugate us andmakeusbend to their beliefs.Theywantus tobe slaves to their faith, just astheyare.Theyencouragetheirarmytoattackinnocentpeoplehere,intheNewWorld, in order to force their beliefs onus.Theywant us, as followersof thesamefaithasthey,tosacrificeourlivestothatfaith,tolivethelivestheywishustolive,todictatewhatourchildrenwillbelieve…byforceifnecessary.“All thepeoplewhobelieve in thewaysof theOrder,who contribute,who

encourage,whosupport,whoprayfortheirsoldierstocrushus,arepartoftheirwareffort.Eachofthosepeopleaddssomethingtotheircause.Assuch,theyarejustasmuchtheenemyasthesoldiersswingingtheswordsforthem.Theyaretheoneswhofeedtheirbladeswithasupplyofyoungmenandeverythingtheyneedtocomeafterus,fromfoodtomoralsupportandencouragement.”

Richardpointedsouth.“Infact,thosepeoplewhomakethiswarpossibleareperhapsevenmoreofanenemybecauseeachoneisasilentenablerwhowishesus harm from afar, who hates by choice, who believes that there is noconsequenceforthemforcingtheirwillonus.“Lootandplundergoesbacktorewardtheirsupport.Slavesaresentbackto

laborforthem.Bloodandtearsareextractedtoenforcetheirdemandsforfaith.“Thesepeoplehavemadethechoicetobelieve,madethechoicetothinkthat

theyhavearighttoourlives,madethechoicetodoanythingnecessarytoruleus.Theremustbeconsequencestothechoicestheyhavemade,especiallywhentheirchoicesruinthelivesofotherswhohavedonethemnoharm.”Richardopenedhishands.“Andhowarewetoaccomplishthis?”Hedrewhishandsintofists.“Wemustbringthiswarhometothepeoplewho

support and encourage it. It must not simply be the lives of our friends, ourfamilies,ourlovedoneswhoarethrownintothebloodycauldronthesepeopleoftheOldWorldstoke.Itmustnowbetheirlivesaswell.“Theyseethisasastruggleforthefutureofmankind.Iintendtoseethatitis.

Iwantthemtofullyunderstandthatiftheysetouttomurderandsubjugateus—forwhateverreason—thentherewillbeconsequences.“From thisday forward,wewill fighta realwar, a totalwar, awarwithout

mercy.Wewillnotimposepointlessrulesonourselvesaboutwhatis‘fair.’Ouronlymandate is towin.That is theonlywaywe,our lovedones,our freedomwillsurvive.Ourvictoryisallthatismoral.IwantanysupporteroftheOrdertopay thepricefor theiraggression. Iwant themtopaywith their fortunes, theirfuture,theirverylives.“Thetimehascometogoafterthesepeoplewithnothingbutcoldblackrage

inourhearts.”Richardliftedafist.“Crushtheirbonestobloodanddust!”Therewasamomentofsilenceaseveryonetookacollectivebreath,andthen

a thunderouscheererupted, as if theyhadall secretlyknown that theyhadnochancetosucceedandthattheyweredoomedtofaceonlydeathandfailureintheend,butnowtheyhadbeenshownthattherewasaway.Therewas,atlast,arealchancetosavetheirhomesandlovedones,tosavethefuture.Richard let the revelrygoon for a time, thenheldupahand tomake them

listenashewenton.“ThearmyoftheOrderhasthesupportofthepeopleoftheirhomeland.The

soldiers of the Order each know that their families, friends, and neighborssupport them.Themen of theOrder need to hear from those back in theOldWorld.WhatIwantthemenoftheOrdertoheararewailsofagony.Iwantthem

toknowthat theirhomesarebeinggutted, theircitiesand towns leveled, theirbusinessesandcropsdestroyed,andtheirlovedonesleftwithnothing.“TheOrderpreachesthatlifeinthisworldisnothingbutmisery.Makeitso.

Stripawaythethinveneerofcivilizationtheysodespise.”Richard looked toVerna and thewomenwith her, Sisters of the Light, all.

“Theyhatemagic;makethemterrifiedofit.Theythinkthosewithmagicmustbedestroyed;makethembelievethattheycan’tbe.Theywantaworldwithoutmagic;makethemwishonlynottoangeruseveragain.Theywanttoconquer;makethemwantonlytosurrender.”As the lightning crackled through the gloomy afternoon air, and the wind-

drivenrainbeatagainsttheawningoverhead,Richardturnedhisattentionbacktothemen.Whenthelatestcrackleofthunderdiedout,hewenton.“Toaccomplishourpurpose,wemusthaveacoordinatedplanaimedatevery

facet of the threat. To this end, some of our forces must be devoted to theimportant goal of hunting and killing their supply trains. Those trains areessentialtotheOrder’ssurvival.Theynotonlygetthereinforcementstheyneed,butthosetrainssendasteadystreamofsuppliesthattheymusthaveinordertosurvive. The Imperial Order forces plunder as they go, but it’s nowhere nearenough to sustain them. Their overwhelming size is also a vulnerability. Wemustdeny themthosesupplies theyneed tosurvivehere insuchnumbers.Wemustcutthatvitallink.IftheImperialOrder’ssoldiersstarvetodeaththeyarejust as dead.AnyOrder soldierwho dies of starvation is one lesswe have toworryabout.That’sallthatmatterstous.“Also, the recruits comingup from the southwillbemuchmorevulnerable

since theywillnotyethave joinedupwithexperiencedmen,orbe inmassivenumbers.Theyarepoorlytrainedandlittlemorethanyoungthugsgoingofftorape and pillage. Slaughter thembefore they go north and have the chance. Itwillbeevermoredifficulttoenlistnewrecruitsiftheyarebeingkilledontheirownsoilbeforetheycanevergoofftokillhelplessstrangers.Evenbetteriftheyaresmallunitsjustassemblingintheirhometowns.Bringthewartothem.Killthembeforetheyhaveachancetobringittous.Ifyoungmenknowthatiftheyvolunteertheywillnevergettobeheroes,nevergettheirhandsonplunderandyoungcaptivewomen,andseethattheywillnotmakeitfarbeforetheyaresetuponbymenwhodon’t fight as they expected, don’t throw themselves into afutilefinalbattleagainstimpossibleodds,theirpassionforjoiningthefightwillturnicycold.Ifitdoesn’t,thentheycandie,too,beforetheyeverhaveachanceto join the army to the north. Seeing the bodies of these young heroes-to-berottingon theirdoorstepswillhelpuscrush thespiritof thepeopleof theOld

World.”Richardappraisedtheintentgazesbeforegoingon.“Theideaofafinalbattle

dieshere,diestoday.Todaywedissolveintothinair.AftertodaytherewillbenoD’HaranEmpirearmy that the ImperialOrdercanengage ina finalbattleanddestroy. They want to do this, after all, in order to strip our people of ourprotection, leavingthemnakedandvulnerable.Wearenotgoingtoallowthat.Todaywestartfightingthiswaranewway—ourway—awayrationallythoughtout,awaythatwillwin.“IwanteveryoneintheOldWorldtofearyouasifyouwereavengingspirits.

Beginningtoday,youwillbecomethephantomD’Haranlegions.“Noonewillknowwhereyouare.Noonewillknowwhenyouwillstrike.No

onewillknowwhereyouwillstrikenext.ButIwanteveryoneintheOldWorldtoknowwithoutanydoubtwhatsoever thatyouwillcomeafter themandyouwillstrikeasiftheunderworlditselfwereabouttoopenupandannihilatethem.IwantthemtofearthephantomD’Haranlegionsasifyouaredeathitself.“They wish to die so that they may enter the everlasting glory of the

afterlife…deliverthemtheirwish.”Oneofthementowardthebackclearedhisthroat,thenspokeup.“LordRahl,

innocent people down there are going to die.These aren’t soldierswewill beattacking.Alotofchildrenaregoingtodieinthiskindofthing.”“Yes, that is unfortunately true, but don’t let yourmind be clouded or your

determinationturnedasidebysuchaspuriousandirrelevantcharge.TheOrderis responsible forconductingawarofaggressionagainst innocentpeoplewhohavedonethemnoharm—includingwomenandchildren.Weseekonlytoendtheaggressionasswiftlyaspossible.“It’s true that innocent people—including children—will be hurt or killed.

What is the alternative? Continuing to sacrifice good people out of fear ofharmingsomeoneinnocent?Weareall innocent.Ourchildrenareall innocent.Theyarebeingharmed,now.TheOrder’s rulewill eventuallyharmeveryone,includingallthosechildrenintheOldWorld.TheOrderwillturnmanyofthemintomonsters.ManymorepeoplewilldieintheendiftheOrderwins.“Moreover,thelivesofthepeopleintheOldWorldarenotourresponsibility,

theyaretheOrder’sresponsibility.Wedidnotstartthiswarandattackthem—theyattackedus.Ouronlypropercourseofactionistoendthewarasswiftlyaspossible.This is the onlyway to do that. In the end, this is themost humanethingwecandobecauseintheendthiswillmeantheleastlossoflife.“Wheneverpossibleyoushouldofcourseavoidharminginnocentpeople,but

that is not your overriding objective. Ending thewar is your objective. To do

that, we must destroy their ability to wage war. As soldiers, that is theresponsibility.“Wearedefendingourrighttoexist.Ifwesucceedwewill,asaconsequence,

help countless others to live free as well. But it is not our aim to free theirpeople.Iftheywishtobefreethentheycanjoinwithusinourefforts.“As a matter of fact, I know people in the Old World who have already

revoltedagainsttheOrderandarewithusinthisstruggle.AsimpleblacksmithnamedVictor andhis forces inAltur’Rang, for example, have lit the flameoffreedomintheOldWorldandalreadyfightwithus.Whereveryoucanfindthesepeople who hunger to be free you should encourage them and enlist theirsupport. They will willingly see their towns and cities burn if those blazesdestroytheverminwhoeatawayattheirlives.“Inallyoudo,neverforgetthatyouraimistostoptheOrderfromkillingus

andtodothatwemustmakethemlosetheirwilltofight.Todothat,wemusttakethewartothem.“Igrieveforinnocentliveslost,buttheirlossisadirectresultoftheimmoral

actionsoftheOrder.Wehavenoresponsibilitytosacrificeourlivestopreventinnocentpeopleontheirsidebeingharmed.Wecannotberesponsiblefortheirlivesinsuchastrugglenotofourmaking.“Wehaveeveryright todefendour right toexist.Don’t letanyoneever tell

youotherwise.Thethreatmustbeeliminated.Anythingelseisjustwhistlingonyourwaytoyourgrave.”The men all stood somber and still under the billowing awning protecting

them from the downpour. None had any argument to offer. They had beenfighting a losing battle for a long time. They had seen thousands die. Theyunderstoodthattherewasnownootherway.RichardgesturedtoCaptainZimmer,ayoung,square-jawed,bull-neckedman

whostoodwithhisarmsfoldedacrosshismassivechest.Hewas immersed intotalconcentrationashe’dlistenedtoRichard.ThemanhadbecometheheadofthespecialforceswhenKahlanhadpromotedCaptainMeifferttocommandinggeneral of the D’Haran forces. Kahlan had also told Richard that CaptainZimmer and his men were very good at what they did, that they wereexperienced, businesslike under stress, tireless, fearless, and coolly efficient atkilling.Whatmademostsoldiersblanchmadethemgrin.Kahlanhadalsotoldhimthattheycollectedtheearsoftheenemy.“CaptainZimmer,aspartofournew,coordinatedoperation,Ihaveaspecial

jobforyou.”Themanbeamedwithaninfectioussmileashedroppedhisarmsandstoodup

straighter.“Yes,LordRahl?”“Ofprimaryimportanceistheeliminationofanyone—anyone—whopreaches

the tenets of theOrder. These people are the fount of hate, the source of thecorruptbeliefsthatpoisonlife.“TheFellowshipofOrderhassettheirgoalontheconquestofallofmankind

forthepurposeofbringingallpeopleundertheirstrictteachings.They advocate the killing of all those who don’t bow to their beliefs. The

ideas of these men are the spark that ignites murder. Were it not for thoseteachings,theywouldnotbeherekillingpeople.“The Order is a viper that exists because of their beliefs, their ideas, their

teachings.ThatviperstretcheshereallthewayfromtheheartoftheOldWorld.From thismoment on, your objective is to behead this snake.Kill everymanwhopreachestheirbeliefs.Iftheygiveaspeech,thenextmorningIwanttheirbodyfoundinthemiddleofaverypublicplace,andIwantittobecleartoallthattheydidnotdieofnaturalcauses.IwantitknownthatprofessingthebeliefsoftheOrderisaskingforaswiftdeath.“Howyoukillthemisirrelevant,butkillthemwemust.Whentheyaredead

theycannolongerspreadtheirpoisonandraisethepassionsofothermentokillus.Thatisyourjob:killthem.Thelesstimeyoutakekillingone,thesooneryoucankillothers.“Keep inmind, though, that thehighpriests of theFellowshipofOrder are

gifted.Whileyoumustbecautiousandawarethat thesemenarewizards,alsokeep inmindthatevensuchwizardsstillhavehearts thatpumpblood throughtheirveins.Anarrowwillkillthemassurelyasanyotherman.“I know, because not long ago I was nearly killed by an arrow fired in a

surpriseattackonmycamp.”Richardgesturedtothetwowomanbehindhim.“IwasfortunateinthatCaraandNicciweretheretosavemylife.Thepointisthat,despitetheirpower,thesemenarevulnerable.Youcaneliminatethem.“After all, how often have I heard you men say that you will be the steel

againststeelsothatIcanbethemagicagainstmagic?Implicitinthatmaximisthefundamentaltruththatthegiftedaremortalandvulnerabletothesameperilsasallmen.“Iknowthatyouandyourmenwillfindwaystoeliminatethesemen.Iwant

everymanwhopreachesthehateoftheOrder’sbeliefstofindthatdeathistheconsequence.Theremustbenodoubtofthehardtruththattheyarenotgoingtoescapethatfatejustbecausetheyaregifted.Youandyourmenaretodeliverthattruthtothem.“This is, after all, about truth and illusion, a battle over which of those

conceptsmankindwillserve.Theypreachanillusionofbeliefsinthingsthatarenotreal,offaithandfantasy,ofkingdomsinotherworlds,ofpunishmentsandrewardsafterwenolongerexist.Theykilltoforcepeopletobowtothatfaith.“The counter to that is the reality of our promise of the consequence of

harmingus.Thatpromisemustbekept.Thatpromisemustbetrue.Ifwefailinthisstruggle,thenmankindwillslipintoalong,darkage.”Richard lookedoutover thesilentmenandspokequietly,but ina tone that

everymanheard.“Iamcountingontheexperienceandjudgmentofyoumentoaccomplishwhat wemust. If you see something you think is useful to them,destroyit.Ifanyonetriestogetinyourway,killthem.Iwanttheircrops,homes,towns,andcitiesburnedtotheground.IwanttoseetheOldWorldburningallthewayfromhere.Idon’twantonebrickleftstandingatopanother.IwanttheOldWorld tosuffer such ruin that theyno longerpossess theability toextendtheirmurderous intent toothers. Iwant theirwill to fightbroken. Iwant theirspiritscrushed.“Itrustthatyoumenwillbeabletocomeupwithwaystoaccomplishallthis.

Don’tbelimitedbywhatItellyou.Thinkaboutwhatisavaluableresourcetothemandwhatwouldmakeitagoodtargetforus.Thinkofhowbest tocarryoutyourneworders.”Hewatchedtheeyesofmenwhowerebeingcalledupontodowhattheyhad

neverexpectedwouldbetheirjob.“TherewillbenofinalbattlewiththearmyoftheOrder.Wewillnotfacetheminthewaytheywish.Instead,wewillhauntthemintotheirgraves.”Thegatheredofficersallclappedfiststotheirhearts.Richard turned again to Captain Zimmer. “You have my orders as to your

specific objective.Be ruthless. There is to be no alternative allowed for thesemen.Their death is theonly result that is acceptable.Make it swift, sure, andwithoutmercy.”CaptainZimmerstoodtall.“Thankyou,LordRahl,forallowingmeandmy

mentoridtheworldofthosewhopreachthispoison.”“There’soneotherthingI’dlikeyouandyourmentodoforme.”“Yes,LordRahl?”“Bringmetheirears.”CaptainZimmersmiledasheputafisttohisheart.“Therewillbenoescape

ormercyforthem,LordRahl.Iwillbringyouproof.”As they put their minds to their new goal, the officers all began coming

forwardwithsuggestionsforbothtargetsandmethodsofdestroyingthem.Theirenthusiasmenlivened their faces,as if theyhadgottensoused to the idea that

therewas no choice but to beworn down by an implacable enemy, that theirfaceshadtakenoncreasesastheysaggedwiththeburden.NowRichardcouldseeanewvigorinthem,anexcitementthattherewasasolution,anendinsight.Men offered ideas of salting fields, poisoning water supplies with rotting,

infected carcasses and corpses, destroying dams, cutting down orchards,slaughteringlivestock,andtorchingmills.Niccidiscouragedsomesuggestions,explaining why they wouldn’t work or would involve too much effort, andoffered alternatives in their place. She refined other ideas tomake themmoredevastating.Toadegree,Richardwassickenedbythethingsheheardandtheknowledge

thathewasthearchitectofsuchmayhem,butthenhethoughtaboutthevisionShotahadgivenhimofKahlan,ofhowthoseveryhorrorsandmorewererealfor uncounted innocent people, and he was gratified that they were at laststrikingbackinawaythathadachancetoendsuchhorrors.TheOrder,afterall,hadbroughtthisonthemselves.“Time is of the essence,” Richard told the officers and gathered Sisters.

“Every day that passes the Order captures more places, subjugates, tortures,rapes,andmurdersyetmorepeople.”“Iagree,”GeneralMeiffertsaid.“Thiscan’tbeamarchsouth.”“No,itcan’t,”Richardsaid.“Iwantyoutoridefastandstrikehard.TheOrder

hasahugearmyandeverywheretheygointheNewWorldfallstotheirswords.But,becauseoftheirsize,theyareponderous.Ittakesthemalongtimetomoveacross the land.Jaganguseshisslowspeedasa tactic; itmakeseachcity thatliesinhispathsuffertheagonyofwaiting,imaginingwhatwillbecomeofthem.Itgivesfeartimetobuilduntilitisunendurable.“Weactuallyhaveanadvantage in that ifweusecavalryandkeep theunits

smallandnimble,wecanstrike like lightning inoneplaceafteranother.Theyseektorollinoncities,envelop,andoccupythem.Wemustnotbedrawnintothat kind of drain on manpower and effort. We must simply lay waste toeverythingwecanand then immediatelymoveon to thenext target.WemustmakeeveryoneintheOldWorldfeelfear,feel that thereisnosafetyfromourvengeance.”Abeardedofficergesturedoutatthecamp.“There’snotnearlyenoughhorses

toturnthewholearmyintocavalry.”“Thenyouneedtoquicklyfindhorsesforallthemen,”Carasaid.“Getthem

whereveryoucan.”Theofficer scratchedhisbeardasheconsidered.HesmiledatCara.“Don’t

youworry,we’llfindawaytodojustthat.”

Another man spoke up. “I know of a number of places in D’Hara wherehorses are raised. I think we can gather what we’ll need in relatively shortorder.”WhenRichardnoddedhisapproval,hetappedafisttohisheart.“I’llseetoitimmediately,”hesaidbeforemakinghiswayoutintotherain.“The army needs to be broken into smaller units,” Richard said toGeneral

Meiffertaftertheofficerhurriedpast.“Wedon’twantthemtostaytogetherinalargeforce.”Thegeneral staredoffasheconsidered.“We’ll form themintoanumberof

strike-forces and send them south immediately. They will have to depend ontheir own resources,make do for themselves.They can’t rely on command todirectallthedetailsoftheiractionsorsupplythemwithanything.”“We’ll need to set up some communication,” one of the older officers said,

“butyou’reright,Idon’tthinkthatitwillbepossibletocoordinateeveryone.Weneedtogiveeveryoneclearinstructionsandthenletthemdotheirjob.ThereisplentyofOldWorldtoattack.”“Itwouldbebestiftheydidn’tkeepincommunication,”Niccisaid.Whena

numberofmen stared at her shewenton. “Anymessengerswhoare capturedwillbetortured.TheOrderhasexpertsintorture.Anymanwhoiscapturedwilltell what he knows. If all the units keep in communication, then they can bebetrayed.Ifanyonecaptureddoesn’tknowwhereotherunitsare,thentheycan’tbetraythatinformation.”“Soundslikewiseadvice,”Richardsaid.“Lord Rahl,” General Meiffert said in a cautious tone, “our entire army

unleashed on the Old World, without an opposing force to check them, willwreakunprecedenteddevastation.Setloosewithsuchagoal,allofthemcavalry,well,theywilllaywastetotheOldWorldonascaleneverpreviouslyknown.”ThemanwasgivingRichardone lastchance tochangehismind,anda last

chance to make it clear that he would not lose his sense of purpose at theirexpense.Richarddidn’tshyawayfromtheimpliedquestion.Heinsteadtookadeepbreathasheclaspedhishandsbehindhisback.“Youknow,Benjamin,IrememberatimewhenthemerementionofD’Haran

soldiersstruckfearintomyheart.”Themennearbynoddedinregretforanedgelost.“Bydrawingus intoa finalbattle thatwecan’tpossiblywin,”Richard told

them, “Jagang has succeeded in making D’Haran soldiers look weak andvulnerable.We are no longer feared. Because they now see us as weak, theythinktheycandoastheywillwithus.“Ibelievethatthisisourlastchancetowinthewar.Ifweletitslipaway,we

arelost.“Idon’twant thischancewasted.Nothing is tobe spared. Iwant Jagang to

receive word from messenger after messenger that all of the Old World isburning. I want them to think that the underworld itself has opened up toswallowthem.“Iwant to againmakepeople tremble inparalyzing fear at thevery ideaof

avengingD’Haran soldiers comingafter them. Iwanteveryman,woman,andchild from the OldWorld to fear the phantom legions of D’Harans from thenorth.IwanteveryoneintheOldWorldtocometohatetheOrderforbringingsuchsufferingdownupon them. Iwantahowl to raise fromtheOldWorld toendthewar.“That’sallIhavetosay,gentlemen.Idon’tthinkwehaveamomenttolose,

solet’sgettoit.”MenfilledwithanewresolvesalutedastheyfiledpastRichard,thankinghim

andsayingthattheywouldgetthejobdone.Richardwatchedthemdashingoutintothesteadyraintowardtheirtroops.“LordRahl,”GeneralMeiffertsaidashesteppedcloser,“I justwantyou to

knowthatevenifyouaren’twithus,youhaveledusinthecomingbattle.Whileitmay not be one big battle like everyonewas expecting, you have given themensomething theywouldnothavehadwithoutyou. If thisworks, thenyourleadershipiswhatwillhavereversedthecourseofthewar.”Richard watched the rain dripping off the edge of the canvas awning in a

curtainofbeadedwater.Thegroundwasturningmuddybeneaththebootsofthesoldiers as they dashed in every direction. The sight remindedRichard of thevisionofkneeling in themud,hiswristsboundbehindhisback,aknifeathisthroat. InhismindhecouldhearKahlanscreaminghisname.Herememberedhis helplessness, his sense of his world ending. He had to swallow back theunbidden, rising terror.The soundofKahlan’s screamsmadehisverymarrowache.Vernasteppedupbesidethegeneral.“He’sright,Richard.Idon’tliketheidea

of pulling people other than soldiers into the fight, but everything you said istrue. They are the ones who brought this about. This is about survival ofcivilizationitselfandinthat,theyhavemadethemselvespartofthebattle.Thereisnootherway.TheSisterswilldoasyouhaveasked,youhavemywordasPrelate.”Richard had feared that she would hold out against the plan. He was too

grateful for words that she had not. He embraced her tightly and whispered,“Thankyou.”

Hehadalwaysbelievedthatthoseonhissidehadtonotonlyunderstandthereasons they were fighting, but to do so with or without him, do so forthemselves.Henowbelievedthattheydidgraspthetruthofeverythingatstake,andwouldfightnotjustbecauseitwastheirduty,butforthemselves.Verna held Richard out at arm’s length and peered into his eyes. “What’s

wrong?”Richard shook his head. “I’m just so sick of the terrible things that are

happeningtopeople.Ijustwantthisnightmaretoend.”Vernashowedhimasmallsmile.“Youhaveshownusthewaytomakethat

comeabout,Richard.”“Whatpartdoyouplantoplayin this,LordRahl?” thegeneralaskedwhen

RichardturnedawayfromVerna.“IfImightask,thatis.”Richardsighedasheputhismindbacktothematterathand.Ashedid,the

terrible vision faded. “I’m afraid that there is serious troublewithmagic.TheImperialOrderarmyisonlyoneofthethreatsthatmustbedealtwith.”GeneralMeiffertfrowned.“Whatsortoftrouble?”Richarddidn’tthinkhecouldexplainthewholestoryagain,sohekeptitshort

andtothepoint.“Thewomanwhomadeyouageneralismissing.SheisinthehandsofsomeoftheSistersoftheDark.”Theman looked completely puzzled. “Mademe general?” He squinted off

intothehazeofhismemory.“Ican’trecall…”“It’sallwrappedupinthetroublethathasdevelopedwithmagic.”ThegeneralandVernasharedalook.“ItwasLordRahl’swife,Kahlan,”Carasaid.“She’stheone,Benjamin,who

namedyougeneral.”Hisexpressionturnedtoastonishment.Carashrugged.“It’sa long story for another time,” she added as she laid a hand on his shoulder.“NoneofusbutLordRahlremembersher.ItwasaspellcalledChainfire.”“Chainfire?”Vernagrewyetmoresuspicious.“WhatSisters?”“SisterUliciaandherotherteachers,”Niccisaid.“Theyfoundanancientspell

calledChainfireandinitiatedit.”Verna regardedNicci rather coolly. “I guess youwould knowwhat kind of

troublethosewomenare,sinceyouwereoneofthem.”“Yes,” Nicci said, wearily, “and you captured Richard and took him to the

Palace of the Prophets. Had you not, he would not have destroyed the greatbarrierandtheImperialOrderwouldbebackintheOldWorldrightnow,nottheNew.Ifyouwanttostartassigningblame,theSistersoftheDarkwouldneverhaveencounteredRichardhadyounotcapturedhiminthefirstplaceandtakenhimbackacrossthebarriertotheOldWorld.”

Vernapressedherlipstight.Richardknewthelook,andwhatwascoming.“Allright,”hesaidinalowvoicebeforetheycouldstartgoingatit.“Weall

didwhatwehad to at the time,whatwe thoughtbest. I’vemademy shareofmistakesaswell.Wecanonlyshapethefuture,notthepast.”Verna’smouthtwistedwithalookthatsaidshewouldlikenothingmorethan

tocontinuetheargument,butsheknewbetter.“You’reright.”“Ofcourseheis,”Carasaid.“HeistheLordRahl.”Inspiteofherself,Vernasmiled.“Iguessheis,Cara.Hehascometofulfill

prophecyevenifhedidn’tintendto.”“No,”Richardsaid,“Ihavecometotrytohelpussaveourselves.Thisisn’t

overyet,andprophecy,inthecaseofwhatyou’retalkingabout,hasadifferentmeaning.”Verna’ssuspicionreturnedinaflash.“Whatmeaning?”“Idon’thavetimetogointoitrightnow.IneedtogetbackandseeifZedd

andtheothershavecomeupwithanything.”“Youmeanaboutfindingyourwife,LordRahl?”“Yes, General, but it gets worse. Other things are happening. There is

fundamentaltroublewithmagic.”“Suchas?”Vernapressed.Richard appraised her eyes. “You need to know that the chimes have

contaminatedtheworldoflife.Magicitselfhasbeencorrupted.Partsofithavealreadyfailed.Thereisnotellingwhenyetmoreofitwillfail,orhowsoon.Wehavetogetbackandseewhatcanbedone—ifanything.Annisthere,alongwithNathan,andtheyareworkingwithZeddtofindsomeanswers.”Before Verna could launch into a barrage of questions, Richard turned his

attentiontothegeneral.“Onelastthing.Withnoarmyheretostandintheirway,I’msurethatJagangwilltrytotakethePeople’sPalace.”GeneralMeiffert scratched his head of blond hair as he thought it over. “I

suppose.”He lookedup. “But thepalace is highon a hugeplateau.There areonlytwowaysup:thesmallroadwiththedrawbridge,orthroughthegreatinnerdoors.Ifthegreatdoorswereclosedthere’snotgoingtobeanyassaultupthatway,andtheroadisprettyuselessforanarmedattack.“Still,” thegeneralsaid,“just tobeon thesafeside, Iwouldadvise thatwe

send some of our bestmen up to the palace as reinforcements.With all of usheading south, CommanderGeneral Trimack and the First Filewill be facingJagang’sentirearmyallalone.Butstill,anassaultonthepalace?”Heshookhisheadskeptically.“Thepalaceisimpenetrable.”“Jagang has giftedwith him,”Cara reminded him. “And don’t forget, Lord

Rahl, thoseSistersmade it into the palace before,wayback in the beginning.Remember?”BeforeRichardcouldanswer,Vernacaughthis armand turnedhimback to

her frown. “Why would those Sisters ignite this spell you mentioned, thisChainfirespell?”“TomakepeopleforgetthatKahlanexists.”“Butwhywouldtheywanttodosuchathing?”Richardsighed.“SisterUliciawantedtogetKahlanintothePeople’sPalace

tostealtheboxesofOrden.TheChainfirespellwasdesignedtomakeapersonthesamethingasinvisible.WiththeChainfirespell ignitedonKahlan,nooneremembersher.Nooneremembersthatshewalkedrightinandtooktheboxesoutofthegardenoflife.”“Tooktheboxes…”Vernablinkedinastonishment.“Whatintheworldfor?”“SisterUliciaputtheminplay,”Niccisaid.“DearCreator,”Vernasaidasshepressedahandtoherforehead.“Iwillleave

someSisterstherewithasternwarning.”“Maybeyououghttobeoneofthem,”Richardsaidasheglancedoutandsaw

thewindcomeuptocarrytherainsidewaysattimes.“Wecan’tallowthepalacetofall.CausinghavocdownintheOldWorldisrelativelysimpleconjuringfortheSisters.Defending thepalace fromJagang’shordeandhisgiftedmaybeamuchgreaterchallenge.”“Perhapsyou’reright,”sheadmittedasshepulledalockofwind-borne,wavy

hairbackoffherface.“Meanwhile,I’llseewhatIcandotostopUliciaandherSistersoftheDark.”

RichardglancedaroundatNicciandCara,thenoutatallthemenrushingaboutthroughtheraintocarryouttheirnewmission.“Ineedtogetback.”GeneralMeiffertclappedhisfistoverhisheart.“Wewillbethesteelagainst

steel,LordRahl,sothatyoucanbethemagicagainstmagic.”Verna touched Richard’s cheek, her brown eyes welling up. “Take care,

Richard.Weallneedyou.”He nodded and gave her awarm smile, puttingmore thanwords could say

intoit.GeneralMeiffertslippedanarmaroundCara’swaist.“CouldIescortyouto

yourhorses?”Carasmiledupathiminaveryfeminineway.“Ithinkwewouldlikethat.”Niccipulledthehoodofhercloakupastheyduckedoutintothedownpour.

ShelookedoveratRichardandfrownedsuspiciously.“Wheredidyougetsuchanideaasthe‘phantomlegion’?”

Heput a hand on the small of her back and guided her into the downpour.“ShotagavemethethoughtwhenshesaidIneededtostopchasingphantoms.Sheimpliedthataphantomcan’tbefound,can’tbecaught.Iwantthesementobephantoms.”She gently circled an arm around his shoulders as they sprinted for their

horses.“Youdidtherightthing,Richard.”Shemusthavereadthesorrowinhiseyes.

Chapter26Rachel yawned.Seeminglyout of nowhere,Violet spun around and clouted

herhardenoughtoknockherofftherockshe’dbeensittingon.Stunned,Rachelpushedherselfuponanarm.Shecradledhercheek inone

hand,waiting for the stupefyingpain to loosen itsgrip,waiting foreverythingaroundhertocomebackintofocus.Satisfied,Violetturnedbacktoherwork.Rachel had been so groggy from not sleeping that she hadn’t been paying

attention, allowingViolet’s blow to take her completely by surprise. Rachel’seyeswateredwiththetinglinghurtbutsheknewbetterthantosayanythingortomakeashowofthepain.“Yawning is impolite, at best, disrespectful at worst,” Violet’s plump face

peeredbackoverhershoulder.“Ifyoudon’tbehave,thenthenexttimeI’llusethewhip.”“Yes,QueenViolet,”Rachelansweredinameekvoice.Sheknewalltoowell

thatVioletwasn’tmakinganemptythreat.Rachelwassotiredshecouldhardlykeephereyesopen.Shehadoncebeen

Violet’s“playmate”butnowshe seemed tobenothingmore thananobjectofabuse.Violethadbecomepreoccupiedwithextractingrevenge.Atnightshehadan

irondevicefastenedinRachel’smouth.Itwasaterrifyingprocess.Rachelwasmadetostickhertongueintoabeaklikeclampmadeoftwoflat,scoredpiecesofiron.Thejawswerethentighteneddownhardenoughtogriphertongue.Resisting, Rachel had learned, earned her a whipping followed by guards

pryinghermouthopenandthenusingpainfultongsonhertendertonguetohelpaccomplish the taskofgetting itplaced in theclamp.Theyalwayswon in theend;her tonguehadnowhere tohide.Once theclampwasonher tongue, thentheironmaskthatwasapartofitwaslockedaroundherheadtokepthertongueimmobile.Onceitwason,Rachelcouldn’tspeak.Itwashardeventoswallow.After that,Violet lockedher in her old ironbox for the night. She said she

wantedRacheltoknowwhatitwasliketobemuteandinpain.Anditwaspainful.Beinglockedinher ironcageallnightwith that terrible

device clamped down on her tongue had nearly driven her crazy. At first,terrifiedoutofhermindbythefeelingofbeingtrappedandalone,unabletogetout, unable to get that painful thing off, she had screamed and screamed.Chuckling,VioletmerelythrewaheavyrugovertheboxtomuteRachel’scries.Cryingandscreaming,though,onlymadetheironjawspinchinghertonguehurtallthemoreandleaveherbloody.

Butwhat finallymade her stop crying and screamingwas thatViolet cameandputher face rightup to the littlewindowandsaid that ifRacheldidn’tbequiet,shewouldhaveSixcutRachel’stongueoutforreal.RachelknewthatSixwoulddoitifVioletasked.Afterthatshedidn’tscreamorcarryon.Sheinsteadcurledupinaballinher

littleironprisonandtriedtorememberallthethingsChasehadtaughther.That,intheend,waswhathadcalmedher.Chasewouldhavetoldhernottothinkofherpresentpredicament,buttokeep

watchingforthetimewhenshecouldgetherselfoutofit.Chasehadtaughtherhowtowatchforpatternsinthewaypeoplebehaved,andopeningswheretheyweren’t payingattention.So, thatwaswhat shedid as she lay in the ironboxeverynight,unable tosleepasshewaitedformorning tocome,waitedfor themenwhowouldpullheroutof theboxand remove the terribledevice for theday.Rachelcouldhardlyeatbecausehertonguewassorawandscraped—notthat

theygavehermuchtoeatanyway.Eachmorninghertonguethrobbedpainfullyforhoursaftertheclampwasremoved.Herjawshurt,too,fromhermouthbeingheld open all night by the device. Eating hurt. But then, when she did eat,everything tasted like dirty metal. Talking hurt, too, so she only spoke whenViolet asked her something.Violet, seeing howRachelwould avoid speaking,would sometimes smile in a contemptuous manner and call Rachel her littlemute.Rachelwascompletelydispiritedbyonceagainbeingintheclutchesofsucha

wickedperson,andsadbeyondanythingshehadeverknownbecauseChasewasgone.Shecouldn’tgetthememoryofhimbeingsobrutallyhurtoutofhermind.She grieved endlessly for him. Her heartache, misery, and utter lonelinessseemed unendurable.When Violet wasn’t at her drawing lessons, or orderingpeople to do things, or eating, or trying on jewels, or being fitted for dresses,then she amused herself by hurting Rachel. Sometimes, reminding Rachel ofhowshehadoncethreatenedherwithafirestick,VioletwouldholdRachelbythewristandputalittlewhite-hotemberfromthefireonherarm.Still,Rachel’ssorrowforChasehurtherworsethananythingVioletcouldeverdotoher.WithChasegone,italmostdidn’tmatterwhathappenedtoher.Violetneededto“discipline”Rachel,asshe’dputit,foralltheterriblethings

Rachel had done. Violet had decided that losing her tongue had in large partsomehowbeenRachel’s fault.Violet had said that itwasgoing to take a longtimeforRacheltoearnforgivenessforsuchaserioustransgression,andalsoforshowingdisrespect by escaping the castle.Violet viewedRachel’s escape as a

shameful rejectionofwhatshecalled their“generosity” toaworthlessorphan.SheoftenwentonandonatgreatlengthaboutallthetroublesheandhermotherhadgonetoforRachelonlytohaveherturnouttobeanungratefulwaif.WhenVioleteventuallytiredofhurtingher,Rachelsuspectedthatshewould

beput todeath.She’dheardVioletorderingthedeathsofprisonersaccusedof“high crimes.” If someone displeased her enough, or if Six told her that thepersonwasathreattothecrown,thenVioletwouldordertheirexecution.IfthepersonhadmadethegravemistakeofopenlyquestioningViolet’sauthority,orrule,thenVioletwouldtellherguardstomakeitslow,andmakeitpainful.Shesometimeswenttowatch,justtomakesurethatitwas.Rachel remembered back when Queen Milena had ordered executions and

Violethadfirstbeguntogowatch.Asherplaymate,Rachelhadtogoalongwithher.Rachelalwaysavertedhereyesfromtheghastlysight;Violetneverdid.Sixhadsetupawholesystemwherebypeoplecouldsecretlyreportthenames

of those people who said things against the queen. Six had told Violet thatpeoplewhomadesuchsecretreportshadtoberewardedfortheirloyalty.Violetpaidhandsomelyforthenamesoftraitors.SincethetimewhenRachelhadbeenwithherbefore,Violethadacquireda

new fondness for inflicting pain. Six often commented that pain was a goodteacher.Violethadbecomeexceedinglyfondofthenotionthatshecontrolledthelivesofothers,thatonherwordotherpeoplecouldbemadetosuffer.Shehadalsobecomeacutelysuspiciousofeveryone.EveryonebutSix, that

was,whoshe’dcometorelyonastheonlypersonwhocouldbetrusted.Violetgreatly distrustedmost of her “loyal subjects,” frequently referring to them asnobodies.RachelrememberedthatVioletusedtocallheranobody.WhenRachelhadlivedatthecastlebefore,peoplehadbeencarefultowatch

themselves lest theycross thewrongpeople,but itwasmoreasense that theywerejustbeingontheirtoes.PeoplehadbeenafraidofQueenMilena,andwithgood reason, but they stillwould smile and laugh at times. Thewashwomenwouldgossip,thecookswouldnowandthenmakefunnyfacesinthefood,thecleaning staffwouldwhistle as theywent about their chores, and the soldierswouldsometimestelljokestooneanotherastheywalkedthehallsofthecastleduringguardduty.Now there was quiet quaking whenever Queen Violet or Six were around.

Noneofthecleaningstaff,thewashwomen,theseamstresses,thecooks,orthesoldiers ever smiled or laughed. They all looked afraid all the time as theyhurriedtodotheirwork.Theatmosphereatthecastlenowwasalwayschargedwithterrorthat,atanytime,anyonemightbepointedout.Everyonewentoutof

theirway toopenly show respect for thequeen, especially in frontofher tall,grim advisor. People seemed to fear Six just as much as they feared Violet.When Six smiled with that strange, empty, snakelike smile she had, peoplewouldstandfrozeninplace,wide-eyed,sweatbreakingoutacrosstheirbrows,andthenswallowinreliefaftershehadglidedoutofsight.“Righthere,”Sixsaid.“Righthere,what?”Violetaskedasshegnawedonabreadstick.Rachel eased herself back up on the rock where she had been sitting. She

remindedherself topaymoreattention.Theslapwasherownfaultforgettingboredandnotpayingattention.No,itwasn’t,shetoldherself.ItwasViolet’sfault.Chasehadtoldhernotto

takeonblamethatbelongedtoothers.Chase.Herheartsankyetagainthinkingabouthim.Shehadtoputhermind

tootherthingslestsheendupbeingsosadthinkingabouthimthatshestarttoweep.Violetwasnotatall tolerantofanythingRacheldidwithoutpermission.Thatincludedcrying.“Right there,” Six said again with exaggerated patience.When Violet only

stared at her, Six drew a long finger across the face of the torchlit rockwall.“Whatismissing?”Violetleanedin,peeringatthewall.“Umm…”“Whereisthesun?”“Well,” Violet said in a snippy voice as she stood up straight again and

waggledafingerattheyellowdisc,“rightthere.Surelyyoucanseethatthisisthesun.”Sixglaredatheramoment.“Yes,ofcourseIseethatit’sthesun,myqueen.”

Heremptysmilereturned.“Butwhereisitinthesky?”Violettappedthechalkagainstherchin.“Thesky?”“Yes.Where is it in the sky?Straight up?”Six pointed her finger skyward.

“Arewemeant tounderstand thatweare looking straightupat the sun in thesky?Isithighnoon?”“Well,no,ofcourseit’snothighnoon—youknowitcan’tbe.It’ssupposedto

belateintheday.Youknowthat,too.”“Really?Andhowarewetoknowthat?Afterall,itmakesnodifferencewhat

Iknowitmustbe.Thedrawingmustsaywhatis.Itcan’telicitcommentfromme,now,canit?”“Iguessnot,”Violetadmitted.Sixagaindrewher fingeracross thewallbeneath thesun.“What’smissing,

then?”

“Missing,missing…”Violetmuttered.“Oh!”ShequicklydrewastraightlinerightwhereSixhadindicatedwithherfinger.“Thehorizon.Weneedtofixthetime of daywith the horizon. You toldme that before. I guess it slippedmymind.”SheglaredoveratSix.“It’salottoremember,youknow.Allthisstuffishardtokeepstraight.”Six held the cold smile frozen in place. “Yes, my queen, of course it is. I

apologize for forgetting how hard itwas forme to learn all these thingswaybackwhenIwasyourage.”ThedrawingthatVioletwasworkingonwascomplexbeyondanythingelsein

thecave,butSixwasalwaystheretoremindVioletoftherightthingtodrawattherighttime.Violet shook the chalk at Six. “Youwould be well advised to keep that in

mind.”Six carefully knitted her fingers together. “Yes, my queen, of course.” She

pursedherlipsandfinallydrewherglareawayfromVioletassheturnedbacktothewall.“Now,at thispointweneedthestarchart for thisdomain.Icangiveyouthelessoninthespecificreasonslater,ifyouwant,butfornowwhydon’tIjustshowyouwhat’snecessary?”Violet glanced to where Six was pointing and shrugged. “Sure.” She went

backtosuckingonthebreadstickasshewaited.Sixopenedasmallbook.Violetleanedin,squintingintheflickeringlight.Six

tappedthepagewithalongnailasVioletfinallybitthroughthecrunchybreadstick.“See the azimuth? Remember the lesson about the referent angle to the

horizonforthisstar,here?”“Yes…” Violet drawled, looking like she actually did know what Six was

talkingabout.“Thatwouldinvolvethisangularreference,here,then.Right?”“Yes,that’sright.It’sanaspectofthebindingagentthattiesitalltogether.”Violetnodded.“Inturntyingittohim…”shesaid,thoughtfully.“That’sright.Thelinkisoneelementofwhatisnecessarytolockitinplaceat

thetimeoftheconcludingconnection.That,inturn,makesthehorizonyoujustdrewnecessarytofixthisangle.Otherwiseitwouldbeafloatingcorrelation.”Violetwasnoddingagain.“IthinkIsee,now,whytheyhavetoconnect.Ifthe

interrelationship is not fixed”—she straightened and gestured to an arc ofsymbols—”then these couldhappenany time.Today, tomorrow,or, or, I don’tknow,adozenyearsfromnow.”Sixsmiledinaslymanner.“Correct.”Violet smiled in triumph at her accomplishment. “But where dowe get all

thesesymbols,andhowdoweknowwheretousetheminthedrawing?Forthatmatter,howdoweknowthattheyareneededattheprecisepointsthatyouhadmedrawthem?”Sixtookapatientbreath.“Well,Icouldteachitalltoyoufirst,butthatwill

take about twenty years of study. Are you willing to wait that long forvengeance?”Violet’sfrowndarkened.“No.”Sixshrugged.“ThenIsuggestthattheshortcutofmehelpingdirectthedesign

istheshortestroutetotheresult.”Violetscreweduphermouth.“Isuppose.”“Youhave the basics,myqueen.You are doing quitewell for this stage of

developingyourtalent.Iassureyou,eventhoughIamhelpingyouwithsomeofthe complexities, noneof thiswould functionwithoutyour considerable talentaddedin.Icouldn’tmakethisworkwithoutyourability.”Violetsmiledlikeaprizepupil.TakinganothercarefullookinthevolumeSix

was holding open,Violet finallywent back to thewall, carefully drawing theelementssheneededfromthebook.RachelwasamazedathowwellVioletactuallycoulddraw.All thewallsof

thecave,fromtheentranceallthewaybackintothedeepplacewheretheywereworking,werecoveredwithdrawings.Theywerestuckineveryavailablespace.In places it looked like they had been squeezed into small spots left betweenolderdrawings.Someofthedrawingswereverygood,withdetailslikeshading.Most, though,weresimpledrawingsofbones,crops, snakes,orotheranimals.Therewerepicturesofpeopledrinkingfrommugswithskullsandcrossedboneson them. In one place a woman, looking like she was made of sticks, wasrunning out of a house that was on fire; thewoman, too, was covered in theflames.Inanotherspotamanwasinthewaterbesideasinkingboat.Inanotherscene a snake was biting a man’s ankle. The walls were also covered withpictures of caskets and graves of all sorts. All the pictures had one thing incommon,though:theywereofterriblethings.Buttherewasnotonesingledrawingintheentirecavethatbegantoapproach

thecomplexityofthethingVioletwasdrawing.Otherdrawingswereonly infrequently life-sizepicturesofpeople andeven

those only had a few things added, like rocks falling on them, or them beingtrampledbeneathahorse.Mostofthedrawingsshowedthesamesortsofthingsbutwereonlyafewhands’widthsacross.Violet’sdrawing,though,wentonandonfordozensoffeet,fromthegroundtoashighasshecouldreach,workingitswaydeeperintothecave.Violethaddrawntheentirethingallbyherself,with

Sixguidingheralongtheway,ofcourse.What alarmed Rachel the most, though, was that after Violet had been

workingon thedrawing forquite some time, after shehaddrawn in stars andformulasanddiagramsandstrange,complexsymbols,shehadinthecenterofitallfinallydrawnafigureofaperson.ThefigurewasRichard.Violet’sdrawingwasunlikeanythingelseinthecave.Itmadethemall look

simple and crude by comparison. The other drawings all had easy, obviousthingsinthem,likemaybeathundercloudwithangledlinesforrain,orawolfbaringitsteeth,oramansimplyclutchinghischestashefellback.Therewaslittleelseonthewallsbutafewsimplethingsaroundthefigures.Violet’s drawing was covered with things that were completely different.

There were numbers and designs, words in strange languages, some writtenalong the lines of diagrams, numbers carefully placed where angles cametogether,andtherewerestrangegeometricsymbolscasteverywherethroughoutthe illustration.WheneverViolet drew any of those symbols Sixwould standclose, concentrating, whispering guidance for every single line, sometimescorrectingwhereVioletwasabouttoplacethechalk,preventingherfromeventouchingittothewallforthenextlinelestitbeoutofsequenceoroutofplace.Once Six even became alarmed and snatched Violet’s wrist before she couldtouchthechalktothewall.Sighinginrelief,SixthenmovedViolet’shandandhelpedherbegininthecorrectplace.Unlikeeveryotherdrawinginthecave,Violet’swasdoneindifferentcolors.

Theother drawings all along thewaydeep into the cave, towhereViolet hadstartedhers,weresimplechalkdrawings.Violet’sdrawinghadgreentreesinonespot,bluewater inanother,ayellowsun,andredclouds.Someof thedesignswere done entirely inwhite,while othersweremulticolored yet in an orderlymannerofcolors.And,unlikeeveryotherdrawing,whentheyleftthecaveandRachellooked

backshecouldseeelementsofthedrawingglowinginthedark.Itwasnotthechalkthatmadeitglow,becausethesamechalkinotherplacesinthedrawingdidnotglowinthedark.Therewasalsoapartofonesymbolthatglowedwhenlefttothedarkness.It

wasastrangefaceglowingoutfromanotherwisedarkdrawingmadeentirelyofcomplex designs.Whenever the torchwas near, the facewasn’t visible and itonlylookedlikeanetworkoflines.Rachelcouldneverseewhataspectsofthedesigncouldpossiblymakeuptheface.Butinthedarkitstaredoutather,theeyesfollowingher,watchingherleave.

The thing that really gaveRachel goose bumps, though,was the picture ofRichard.ItwasadrawingdonesowellthatRachelcouldactuallyrecognizehimbyhisfacealone.ItamazedRacheltoseehowwellVioletcoulddraw.Therewereotherthings

totellwhoRichardwas, though,evenif thedrawinghadn’tbeensogood.Hisblackoutfitwasdepictedaccurately,justthewayRachelrememberedit.Itevenhadsomeofthemysterioussymbolsdrawnaroundtheedgeofhistunic.Sixhadbeen very careful in her guidance of precisely howViolet was to draw thosedesigns.InViolet’spicture,Richardalsoworetheflowingcapethatlookedtobemadeofspungold.ThewayViolethaddrawnitmadeitlookalmostlikehewasinwater.All aroundhim, too,werewavycolored areas thatSix called “auras.”Each

colorhadcomplex formulasanddesigns lyingbetween themandRichard.Sixhadsaidthatattheend,asthefinalstep,thoseinterposingelementsbetweenhimand his essencewould be connected to form an intervening barrier.Whateverthat meant, Rachel didn’t know, but it was obvious that it was important toViolet.Sixseemedespeciallyproudofthatpart,oftheinterveningbarrierelements.

Shewouldsometimesstandforlongperiodsoftimeandjuststareatthem.Inthepicture,RichardhadtheSwordofTruth,butitwasdrawnfaintly,asifit

was therewithhim,butnot. Italmostseemedpartofhim, thewayViolethaddrawnitwithRichardholdingitsothatitcrossedhischest,yetRachelcouldn’ttell for sure if he really wasmeant to be holding it because it was drawn sofaintly. Violet had worked hard to make it that way. Six had her do it overseveraltimesbecauseshesaidthatitwastoo“substantive.”Rachelwas puzzled by the sword being drawnwithRichard, since Samuel

hadRichard’sswordnow.Still,itsomehowonlyseemedrightforRichardtobedrawnwiththesword.MaybeSixfeltthatway,too.Violet stood back, cocking her head, appraising her work. Six stood

transfixed, staringat it as ifnooneelsewere therewithher.She reachedout,tentatively,andlightlytouchedthedesignsaroundRichard.“Howlonguntilwemakethefinalconnectionofelements?”Violetasked.As Six’s fingers moved slowly, lightly, along the designs, some of the

interposingelementsrespondedtoher touch,sparklingandglowingin thedimlight.“Soon,”shewhispered.“Soon.”

Chapter27“LordRahl!”RichardturnedjustintimetoseeBerdine,inadeadrun,leaptowardhim.She

landed against his chest, throwing her arms and legs around him. The impactdrove the wind from his lungs. Her long, single braid of wavy brown hairwhippedaroundhim.Richardstaggeredbackastepasheputhisarmsaroundher to help keep her from falling. With her arms and legs clinging to him,though,shedidn’tappeartoneedhishelp.Richard had rarely seen even a flying squirrel make a better leap. Despite

everythingonhismind,hecouldnothelpbuttosmileatBerdine’sexuberance.Who would have thought that a Mord-Sith would ever again come to be asspontaneouslyjoyfulasalittlegirl.Shesatback,grippinghisshoulders,legslockedaroundhismiddle,grinning

athim.ShelookedoveratCara’sscowl.“Hestilllikesmebest—Icantell.”Carasimplyrolledhereyes.WithhishandsonBerdine’swaist,Richard liftedherandsetherdown.She

wasshorterthanmostoftheotherMord-SithRichardknew.Shewasalsomorevoluptuous,andfarmorevivacious.Richardhadalwaysfoundhertobearatherdisarming combination of guileless sensuality combined with a mischievous,playful nature. Like any of the Mord-Sith, though, she also possessed thepotential for instantaneous, ruthless violence lying hidden just below thesparkling surfaceofher childlikewonder.Shealso lovedRichardpassionatelyandopenly,butinanhonest,innocent,filialsortofmanner.“Youareasighttowarmmyheart,Berdine.Howareyou?”Shepuzzledathim.“LordRahl,IamMord-Sith.HowdoyouthinkIam?”“Asmuchtroubleasever,”hesaidunderhisbreath.She smiled, pleasedby the comment. “Weheard that youwerehere earlier,

butIjustmissedyou.That’stwiceI’vemissedyourecently.Iwasn’tgoingtoletyouvanishagainwithoutseeingyou.WehavesomuchtotalkaboutthatIdon’tevenknowwheretobegin.”Richardlookeddownthebroadcorridor,acrosstheexpanseofrichlyveined

goldenmarblesetinadiagonalpatternwithinaborderofblackgranite,andsawaknotofsoldiersmarchingtowardhimatabriskpace.Highoverheadrainbeatsteadily against skylights that let in flat gray light. Somehow, that dull lightmanaged to gather and reflect brightly off the polished breastplates of thesoldiers.Allofthemhadcrescentaxeshookedattheirbelts,alongwiththeswordsand

longknivestheyalsocarried.Someofthemenwerearmedwithcrossbowsthat

werecockedandreadytofire.Thosemen,givenampleclearancebytheothers,wore black gloves. Their crossbows were loaded with deadly-looking red-fletchedarrows.Thehallswerecrowdedwithpeopleofeverysort,fromthosewholivedand

workedtheretopeoplewhohadcometotradeorsellgoods.Allof themgavetheapproachingsoldiersamplespace.At thesametime, theywatchedRichardwhile tryingnot to look like theywerewatchinghim.WhenRichardmet theirgazesorcaughtthemlooking,sometippedtheirheadsinabowwhileothersfelltooneknee.Richardsmiled,tryingtoputthematease.Itwasarareevent,inrecentyearsanyway,whentheLordRahlwashomein

hispalace.Richardcouldhardlyexpectpeoplenottobecurioustoseehim.Inhisblackwarwizard’soutfit,alongwiththeflowinggoldencape,hewashardtomiss.He still couldn’t think of such a place as his home, though; in his ownheart he thought of the Hartland woods as home. He had grown up walkingamongtoweringtrees,notloftystonepillars.CommanderGeneralTrimackoftheFirstFileatthePeople’sPalacecametoa

smarthaltandinsalutethumpedafistagainsttheshapedleatherarmoroverhischest.Thesoftmetallicrattleofgeardiedoutafterthedozenmenwithhimallsalutedtogether.Thesemen,constantlyscanningthehallsandappraisingeachofthepeoplemovingpast,were theLordRahl’spersonalguardswhenhewasathis palace. They each took in Cara and swiftly assessed Nicci, standing justbesideRichard.ThesemenweretheringofsteelthatkeptharmfromgettingalookattheLordRahl.TheyservedintheFirstFilebecausetheywerethemostskilledandloyalofalltheD’Harantroops.Afterthesalute,thecommanderaddedabowtoCaraandthenRichard.“Lord

Rahl,we’repleasedtohaveyouhome,atlast.”“I’mafraid,GeneralTrimack,thatit’sonlyabriefvisit.Ican’tstay.”Richard

gestured to Cara and Nicci. “We’ve got urgent business and have to leave atonce.”General Trimack, looking sincerely disappointed but not entirely surprised,

sighed.Hethenappearedtohaveathoughtandbrightenedabit.“Didyoufindthe woman—your wife—who had been up in the garden of life and left thatstatueyoufoundthere?”RichardfeltapangofanguishforKahlan.Hefeltguiltyfornotdoingmoreto

findher.Howcouldhe letothermatterskeephim from findingKahlan?Howcouldtherebeanythingimportantenoughtodistracthimfromfindingher?Hetriednot to thinkof thevisionofher thatShotahadgivenhim. It seemed likewitheverythinggoingonhehadpushedasidehissearchfortheonepersonwho

meant the most to him. He knew that was not the way it really was, that itcouldn’t be helped, but still, he needed to get back to the Keep and back toworkingonawaytofindher.Evenwhileworkingonotherthings,shewasneverreallyoutofhisthoughts.

Hekept trying to thinkofwhereSisterUliciawouldhave takenKahlan.Nowthat they had the boxes ofOrden—or at least two of them—wherewould theSistersgo?Whatcouldtheybeupto?Ifhecouldfigurethatoutthenmaybehecouldgoafterthem.It had also occurred to him that they still needed The Book of Counted

Shadows inorder toopen the rightboxofOrden, so itwaspossible that ifhesimplysatstillinoneplacelongenoughtheywouldhavetocometohim,sincethebookonlyexistednowinhismemory.Thesimplefactwas,unlesstheywerewilling to guess and risk being wrong, they needed The Book of CountedShadows toopentherightbox,andRichardcouldnotimaginethattheywouldriskthelossofwhattheybelievedwouldbetheirimmortalityonchance.Theyneeded the key that only he had to unlock the solution to opening the correctbox.Kahlanwaspartofthekeytothatsolution,buttheystillneededwhatonlyRichardhad.The only method he could think of to find her was to learn everything he

could about Chainfire and the boxes of Orden, and somewhere in that mixmaybetherewouldbeaclueastowhattheSisterswoulddonext.Thebooksheneededtostudytothatend,alongwiththepeoplewhounderstoodthembestandhadbyfar themostexperienceatsuchthings,wereat theKeep.Heneededtogetbackthere.Richardlookedtothegeneral’swaitingeyes.“Notyet,I’mafraid.We’restill

lookingforher,butthankyouforyourconcern.”NoonebutRichardevenrememberedher,rememberedhersmile,theshadow

ofhersoulshowinginhergreeneyes.AttimesKahlandidn’tevenseemrealtohim, either. She seemed impossible, like no one who could be all that heremembered, likeshecouldonlybean inventionofhisdeepestdesires in life.Hecouldunderstandthedifficulty thoseclosest tohimhadindealingwith thesituation.“Sorry to hear that, Lord Rahl.” The general scanned the throngs moving

downthehallway.“Itrustthatatleastyouarenotherethistimeinthemiddleofamessoftrouble?”ItwasRichard’sturntosigh.Howtobegin?“Inaway,Iam.”“TheImperialOrderarmyiscontinuingtoadvanceonD’Hara?”thegeneral

guessed.Richardnodded.“I’mafraidso.Thelongandtheshortofitis,General,I’ve

givenour forces orders that they are not to engageEmperor Jagang’s army inbattle because they don’t have the numbers to stand a chance. It would be aslaughterfornopurposeandJagangwouldstillenduphavingtheNewWorldalltohimself.”GeneralTrimackscratchedascarthatstoodoutwhiteagainsttheruddyskin

at thebackofhis jaw.“Whatotheroption is there,LordRahl,but tomeet theenemyinbattle?”His quiet, simple words had the sound of advice, of caution born of

experience, of hope balanced on a razor’s edge of despair. For a moment,Richard listened to the cathedral whisper of feet against stone as the crowdsmovedsteadilythroughthehallway.“I’ve ordered our forces to set out at once to laywaste to theOldWorld.”

Richardturnedhisglarebacktothegeneral.“Theywantedwar;Iintendtojamtheirwishdowntheirthroatsandseethemchoketodeathonit.”At the startling news, the mouths of some of the men dropped open.

Commander General Trimack stared in surprise for a moment, then hethoughtfullystrokedthescarwithasinglefinger.Aslylookfinallyshowedthat,despitehisinitialsurprise,hewasbeginningtoliketheidea.“IguessthismeansthattheFirstFilewillbecalledupontokeepthebastards

outofthepalace.”Richardmarkedtheman’ssteadygaze.“Doyouthinkyoucandoit?”Acrooked smilecurledacross thegeneral’smouth. “LordRahl,myhumble

talentwillhardlybethemarginofsafetyforthepalace.Yourancestorsbuiltthisplaceastheydidspecificallytopreventanyonefromtakingit.”Hegesturedatthesoaringcolumns,walls,andbalconiesallaroundthem.“Besidesthenaturaldefenses, this place is invested with powers that weaken any of the enemygifted.”Richard knew that the palace was built in the shape of a spell that

strengthenedthepowerofanyRahlwithinthepalace,andsappedthestrengthofanyothergiftedperson.Thewholepalaceitselfwasconstructedintheformofanemblem.Toanextent,Richardunderstooditsshapeandthegeneralnatureofitsmeaning.Hecouldreadthemotifofstrengthinherentinthepattern.Unfortunately,thatspellwouldweakeneventhosewiththegiftwhowereon

hisside,suchasVerna.HeneededVerna tobeable tohelpprotect thepalace,butifsheandtheSisterswithherwereweakenedbythatspell,thenshewouldhaveahardertimedefendingthepalace.Thebalancetothat,hesupposed,was

thatanyoneattackingwouldhavethesameproblem,sotheywouldnothaveanadvantageoverVernaandherSisters.TherewasnoalternativebuttocountonVernatodoherbest.“Besides reinforcements, I’m sending some Sisters here, along with Verna,

theirprelate.”General Trimack nodded. “I know the woman. She’s a stubborn one when

she’s happy and impossiblewhen she’s not. I’ll be glad she’ll be on our side,LordRahl,andnottheotherwayround.”Richardhadtosmile.ThemandidindeedknowVerna.“I’ll return when I can, General. In the meantime, I’ll count on you to

safeguardthePeople’sPalace.”“Thegreatinnerdoorswillhavetobesealed.”“Dowhatyouthinkbest,General.”“Thegreatdoorsareinvestedwiththesamepowerastherestofthepalace,so

theyarenotaweaklinkthatwillprovideanyopportunityforattack.Theonlyproblemwithclosingthedoorsisthatitputsanendtocommerce,whichisthelifebloodofthepalace…inpeacetime,anyway.”Richard watched the throngs of people making their way through the

passagewayandalongthebalconiesabove.“Withwhat’scoming,commerceisnot going to be possible at the palace anyway.No one is going to be able totravel the Azrith Plain—or anywhere else in the NewWorld, for that matter.Tradeeverywhereisbeingdisrupted.Prepareforalongsiege.”Theman shrugged. “That’swhat enemyarmieshistoricallydo, sit out there

andhopetostarveusout.Can’tbedone;outontheAzrithPlainthey’llstarvefirst. Will you be coming back, Lord Rahl, to help in the protection of thepalace?”Richardswipedahandacrosshismouth.“Idon’tknowwhenI’llbeableto

return.ButIwillifIcan,Ipromise.Fornow,Ihavetoputmymindtothisneweffort.“We’regoingtotrytokilltheOrderbycuttingoutitsheart,ratherthantrying

tofightitsmuscle.”“Andiftheylaysiegetothepalaceinthemeantimeandyouneedtoreturn?

Howwillyoubeabletogetbackin?”“Well, I don’t have a dragon, so I can’t fly in.”When theman only stared

blanklyathim,Richardclearedhisthroatandsaid,“IfneedbeIcancomebackthewayIcametoday,withtheaidofmagic—throughthesliph.”Thegeneral didn’t look likeheunderstood, but he acceptedRichard’sword

withoutquestion.

“I’monmywaybacktherenow,General.Ifyouwant,youcanescortusandseeitforyourself.”He looked somewhat relieved to be invited to be allowed to do his job of

protecting theLordRahl.Richard tookBerdine’s arm and startedwalking herdownthehallasallthesoldiersfannedouttoformaprotectiveperimeter.Berdinewas considerably shorter thanRichard, so he leaned down a bit to

speakwithout raisinghis voice. “I need to know some things.HaveyoubeentranslatinganymoreofKolo’sjournal?”Shegrinnedlikeamaidfullofgossip.“I’llsayIhave.Becauseofsomeofthe

thingsKolohadtosay,though,I’vehadtostartresearchingotherbooksaswell—so that I couldbetterunderstandhow it all fits together.”She leanedcloser.“There were things going on that we didn’t even realize, before, when weworkedonittogether.Wehadonlyscratchedthesurface.”Richarddidn’tthinkthatsheknewthehalfofit.“Doanyofthosethingshave

todowithFirstWizardBaraccus?”Berdineabruptlyhaltedandstaredathim.“Howdidyouknowthat?”

Chapter28Richard reached back, took Berdine by the arm, and pulled her alongwith

him. “I’ll explain it later,when I havemore time.What didKolowrite aboutBaraccusinhisjournal?”“Well,whatKolowroteisonlypartofthestory.Kolojusthintedatsomeof

whatwasgoingonso, tofill in theblanks, Istartedreading thebooks inyourrestricted,privatelibraries.”ItneverfailedtoamazeRichardthat,beingtheLordRahl,henowhadaccess

to such restricted libraries. He could not begin to imagine the wealth ofknowledgecontainedinallthosevolumes.“Whatkindsofbooks?”Berdine pointed. “Oneof them is on theway, not in the common areas but

deeperintheprivatesectionsofthepalace—placeswherealmostnooneiseverallowed.I’llshowyou.Partofithastodowithsomethingcalledcentralsites.”Keepingpaceontheothersideofhim,Niccileanedin.“Nathantoldmethat

hereadsomethingsaboutplacescalledcentralsites.”“Likewhat?”Richardasked.Niccipulledherblondhairawayfromthesideofherfaceandbackoverher

shoulder.“Thecentralsitesaretop-secretlibraries.Backsometimenearorafterthe great war the central sites were established as a safe, secure, and hiddenplace to keep books there that were considered too dangerous to be knownexcept by a very restricted, select group of a few people.Nathan said that hethinksthereweremaybeahalf-dozenofthesesites.”“That’sright,”Berdinesaid.Shelookedaroundtomakesurethatnoneofthe

soldiers following them were close enough to hear. “Lord Rahl, I found areferencewhereitimpliedthatatleastsomeofthesesitesweremarkedwiththenamesofaLordRahlfromprophecy.”Richardhalted.“Youmeantheyputhisnameonagravestone?”Berdine’s brow lifted. “That’s right. It mentioned that these places, these

libraries, were kept with the bones. They thought, from what they knew ofprophecy,thatafutureLordRahlwouldneedtofindbooksthatwerekeptthereandso,inatleastoneinstancethatIfoundmentioned,itsaidtheyputhisnameonagravemarker.”“InCaska.”Berdine snapped her finger, then shook it at him. “That’s the place I saw

named.Howdidyouknow?”“I’vebeenthere.Mynameisonabigmonumentinthegraveyard.”

“Youwerethere?Why?Whatwereyoulookingfor?Whatdidyoufind?”“Ifoundabook—Chainfire—thathelpedprovewhathappenedtomywife.”BerdineglancedtoCaraandtheNiccibeforelookingbackatRichard.“I’ve

beenhearingrumorsaboutyouhavingawife.AtfirstIthoughtithadtobejustcrazygossip.So,it’sreallytrue,then?”Richardtookadeepbreathashemarchedthroughthecorridor,surroundedby

guards andwatchedby thepassing crowds.Hedidn’t feel up to explaining toBerdine that sheknewKahlan,andhad in fact spentagreatdealof timewithher.“It’strue,”hesaid,simply.“LordRahl,what’sthisallabout?”Richardwavedoffthequestion.“It’salongstoryandIdon’thavethetimeto

tellitrightnow.Whatisitaboutthesecentralsitesthathasyousoworkedup?”“Well,”Berdinesaidassheleanedinagainwhiletheyrusheddownthebroad

hallway,“yourememberhowBaraccuskilledhimselfafterhecamebackfromtheTempleoftheWinds?”Richardglancedoverather.“Yes.”“Therewassomethingbehindit.”“Behindit.Whatdoyoumean?”Berdinecametoasidepassagewayguardedbytwomenwithlances.Asthey

tookinRichardandhisentourage,theyclappedfiststotheirheartsandsteppedaside.Berdinepulledopenoneofthedoubledoorscladinmetal.Ithadapictureof a courtyard gardenmeticulously embossed in the polished surface.Beyondthedoorthesmallerhallwayofrichmahoganypanelingwasemptyofpeople.Itwastheentranceintotheprivateareasofthepalace.“I haven’t been able to figure out what, but I believe that Baraccus did

somethingwhilehewasat theTempleof theWinds.”Berdineglancedbackathim to make sure he was paying attention. “Something big. Somethingsignificant.”Richard nodded as he followed Berdine down the empty hallway. “When

Baraccuswasat theTempleoftheWindshesomehowinsuredthatIwouldbebornwithSubtractiveMagic.”ThistimeitwasNicciwhosnatchedRichard’sarmandyankedhimtoahalt,

spinning him around to face her. “What!Where did you ever get an idea likethat?”Richardblinkedathershockedexpression.“Shotatoldme.”“AndhowwouldShotaknowsuchathing?”Richard shrugged. “You knowwitchwomen, they see things in the flowof

time.SomeofitIputtogetherfromthepiecesofhistorythatIknow.”Niccilookedanythingbutconvinced.“WhyintheworldwouldBaraccusever

dosuchathing?Shotatriestotellyouthat,outoftheblue,thisancientwizardjusthappenedtotravel totheunderworldandwhilehewastherehethought…what?AslongashewasalreadytherehemightaswellseetoitthatwhensomefellownamedRichardRahlisbornthreethousandyearsfromthenhemightaswellbebornwithSubtractiveMagic?”Richardgaveheralook.“It’salittlemorecomplicatedthanthat,Nicci.I’m

pretty sure that he did it to counterwhat anotherwizard had donewhen he’dbeentherebefore.ThatwizardwasLothain.Rememberhim,Berdine?”“Ofcourse.”“Lothainwasaspy.”Berdinegasped.“That’swhatKolothought—thathehadbeenaspyallalong

—plantedtheretolieinwaitforanopportunitytostrike.Kolodidn’tbelievethatLothainhadjustgonecrazyorsomethinglikeeveryoneassumed.Thatwasthecommonstoryatthetime—thatthestressanddangerofhisjobhadjustgottentoLothainandhecouldn’thandleitanymore,thathesimplylosthismind.Kolonevermade a point of telling other peoplewhat he thought because he didn’tthinkthattheywouldbelievehim,andalsobecausepeoplehadstartedtothinkthatitwasBaraccuswhowasthespy.”Richardfrownedashestartedoutagain.“Baraccus!That’scrazy.”“That’swhatKolothought,too.”“What did this wizard Lothain supposedly do?” Nicci asked in a forceful

voice meant to bring him back to the subject at hand and to underline theseriousnessofherquestion.RichardgazedintoherblueeyesamomentandsawtherenotjustNicci,but

the powerful sorceress she in fact was. Because of her stunning features, herintentblueeyes,andthewayshetreatedhimwithsuchregard,tosaynothingofhersteadfastfriendship,itwaseasytoforgetthatthiswasasorceresswhohadseenanddonethingshecouldhardlybegintoimagine.Shewasprobablyoneofthemost powerful sorceresses ever born, and shewas a force to be reckonedwith.Morethanthat,Nicci,ofallpeople,deservedtoknowthetruth.Itwasn’tthat

he’dbeentryingtokeepitfromher—hejusthadn’thadthetimetodiscussit.Infact,hewishedthathehadalreadytoldheraboutit,thathehadhadherthoughtson the whole thing, especially the part about the secret library that Baraccuskept, and the book meant for Richard that he’d sent there with his wife forsafekeeping…untilthedayawarwizardwasagainbornintotheworldtotake

uptheircause.Richardsighed.Therejusthadn’tbeenanytime,yet.Asmuchashedidwant

totellitalltoher,hewantedtotellhertheentirestorywhenhecoulddiscussit,alongwithsomeofthequestionshehad,sohedecidedforthemomenttoleaveoutmostofthedetailsandkeptittothepertinentpoint.“LothainwasaspyfortheforcesoftheOldWorld.Maybehecouldseethat

theywerenotgoingtobeabletowinthewar.Maybehewasjust takingextraprecautions.Anyway,whenhewent to theTempleof theWindshesowed theseedsfortheircausetoriseagainatsomefuturetime.Hedidsomething,attheleast,toseetoitthatadreamwalkerwouldagainbebornintotheworld.“Baraccuswasunable to reverse thesabotage,sohedid thenextbest thing.

Hesawtoitthattherewouldbeacounterbornintotheworld:me.”Nicci,speechless,couldonlystareathim.Richard turnedback toBerdine.“So,whatdoes thisbusinesswithBaraccus

havetodowiththesecentralsites?”Berdineglancedaroundagain, checkinghowclose the soldierswere. “Kolo

wroteinhisjournalthattherewerewhispersamongagroupofinfluentialpeoplethatBaraccusmayhavebeena traitor,and ifhewas, thenhecouldhavedonesomethingruinouswhilehewasattheTempleoftheWinds.”Richardshookhisheadinfrustration.“Whatdidtheysuspecthimofdoing?”Berdineshrugged.“Ihaven’tbeenabletofigureitoutyet.Itasallveryhush-

hush.Theywereallbeingverycareful.Noonewantedtocomerightoutandsayanything or accuseBaraccus of being a traitor. They didn’twant to anger thewrongpeople.Hewasstillwidelyreveredbymanypeople,likeKolo.“Itcouldevenbethattheydidn’thaveanyspecificaccusation,butjusthelda

suspicionthathemayhavedonesomething.Don’tforget,noonewaseverableto get back into the Temple after Baraccus, until you did it. Apparently, theywere also afraid of that woman,Magda Searus. You know, the one whowasmadeintoaConfessor.”“Yes, I remember,” Richard said. “Seems odd, though, that something that

supposedly had the potential to be so disastrous wouldn’t bemore out in theopen.”“No,”Berdinesaidunderherbreath,almostasiftheghostsofthepastwould

hear her. “That’s the thing. They feared that if people found out about theirsuspicions,thenitmightcauseapanicorsomething—causepeopletogiveup.Don’tforget,thewarwasstillgoingonanditwasstillinquestioniftheywouldevensurvive,muchlesstriumph.Everyonewasworriedaboutthemoraleofthepeopleastheyfoughtonandatthesametimeworkedtofindawaytowin.In

themiddleofall that, thissmallcircleofhigh-rankingpeoplewereallworriedthatBaraccusmight have done something terrible at theTemple of theWindsthatwasneversupposedtobedone.”Richardthrewuphishands.“Likewhat?”Berdine’s face screwed up in an expression of exasperation. “Don’t know.

Kolo only hinted at it.He believed inBaraccus.And hewas angry that thesepeopleweredoingwhateveritwasthattheyweredoing,butatthesametimehewasn’tinanypositiontoarguewiththem.Hewasnotamongthoseincommand,orahigh-enough-rankingwizard.“Buttherewasonepassage,onementioninhisjournal,thatkindofgaveme

goosebumpswhenIreadit.Idon’tknowifitwasabouttheBaraccusdisputeornot—ImeanIcan’tpointtoanythingspecificallytoconnectit,notsoas—”“Whatdidthispassagesay?”AlongwithRichard,NicciandCarabothleanedinalittle.Berdineheavedasigh.“Hewaswritinginhisjournal,talkingaboutthefoul

weatherandhowsickeveryonewasgettingofrain,andhemadethisoffhandedcommentthathewasupsetbecausehe’dlearnedthroughhissourcesthat‘they’hadmadefivecopiesof‘thebookthatwasnevertobecopied.’“ThatgaveRichardpause,andgoosebumps.“Notfarafterthat,”Berdinesaid,“hisentrystartedwanderingbacktotalking

aboutthecentralsites.”“So you think… what? That maybe they hid these copies they weren’t

supposedtomakeinthesecretcentralsites?”Berdinesmiledasshetappedhertemplewithafinger.“Nowyou’restartingto

askthesamequestionsI’vebeenaskingmyself.”“And he didn’tmake anymention at all ofwhat book they copied?”Nicci

asked.“Notevenanindication?”Berdineshookherhead.“That’sthepartthatgavemethegoosebumps.But

therewasmoretherethanhiswords.”“Whatdoyoumean?”Nicciasked,impatiently.“Youknowhowwhenyouworkforeverattranslatingsomeone’swriting,you

cometobeabletoseetheirmood,seetheirmeaning,seetheirtrainofthoughteven if theydidn’twrite itdown?Well”—shepulledherbrownbraidoverhershoulder,twiddlingwiththeendofit—”Icouldtellbythewayhesaiditthathewasafraidtoevenwritedownthenameofabooksosecret,soimportant,thatitwasnevertobecopied.Itwaslikehewaswalkingoneggshellsevenmentioningitinhisjournal.”Richardthoughtthatshecertainlyhadagoodpoint.

Berdinecametoahaltbeforeatallirondoorthatwaspaintedblack.“Here’swhere I found the books thatmention the cental sites beingwith the bones—whateverthatmeans.”“TheplaceIfoundwasincatacombs,”Richardsaid.Berdinefrownedassheconsidered.“Thatmightexplainthatmuchofit.”“Nathan toldme,”Nicci said in a low voice, looking betweenRichard and

Berdine,“thathebelieves that therewerecatacombsbeneath thePalaceof theProphets,and that thepalace itselfwasbuilt there inpart toconcealwhatwasburied.”Thesoldiersslowedtoahalt,collectinginaknotashortdistancebackupthe

hall.RichardnoticedBerdinewatchingthem.“Why don’t you wait out here with your men?” Berdine called back to

GeneralTrimack.“IhavetogointhelibraryandshowLordRahlsomebooks.Ithinkmaybeyou shouldguard thehall andmake sure thatnoone is sneakingabout.”The general nodded and started ordering his men to take up stations

throughoutthepassages.Berdinepulledakeyoutofthetopofheroutfit.“InhereIfoundabookthatgavemenightmares.”ShelookedbackatRichardandthenunlockedthedoor.Nicci leaned close to Richard’s ear. “This place is shielded.”Her tonewas

tightwithsuspicion.“But she’s not gifted,” Richard whispered back. “She can’t get through

shields.Ifit’sshielded,thenhowissheabletogetin?”Berdine, hearing them, waggled the key after she pulled it back out of the

lock.“Ihavethekey.IknewwhereDarkenRahlkeptithidden.”Nicci lifted an eyebrow as she looked back at Richard. “The key just shut

downtheshieldstothedoor.I’veneverseensuchathingbefore.”“Itmusthavebeendesigned togiveaccess to trustedaidesor scholarswho

weren’tgifted,”Richardguessed.He turnedback toBerdineas sheworkedatopeningtheleverontheheavydoor.“Bytheway,didyoulearnanythingelseaboutBaraccus?”“Notmuch,” she said, looking back over her shoulder. “Except thatMagda

Seams, thewomanwhobecame the firstConfessor, hadoncebeenmarried tohim.”Richard could only stare at her. “How does she know these things?” he

mutteredtohimself.“What?”Berdineasked.“Nothing,”hesaid,dismissingitwithawavebeforeflickingthehandatthe

door.“Sowhatisitthatyoufoundinhere?”“SomethingthatconnectedwithwhatKolosaid.”“Youmeanaboutthisbookthatwasn’tsupposedtobecopied.”BerdinemerelygaveRicharda slysmileas she tucked thekeydown intoa

pocketinsidethetopofheroutfit,thenpushedopentheblackdoor.

Chapter29Inside,threetallwindowsthatmadeupmostofthefarwalllittheroomwith

thegloomylate-afternoonlight.Rainpatteredagainsttheglassandrandowninsnakingrivulets.Thewallsofthesmallroomwerelinedwithbookshelvesmadeofgoldenoak.Therewasonlyenoughspace in thecenterof theroomforonesimpleoaktablethatwasinturnonlylargeenoughforthefourwoodenchairs,one on each side. In the center of the table sat an unusual four-lobed lamp,offeringeachemptychairitsownlightfromasilveredreflector.Witha sweepofherarm,Nicci senta sparkofhergift into the fourwicks.

Theflamesswelled,lendinggoldenwarmthtothesmallroom.Richardnoticedthat,despite theway thepalace spelldiminished thepowerofanybutaRahl,sheseemedtohavehadnotroublelightingthelamps.Berdinewenttotheshelvestotherightofthedoor.“NearthepartofKolo’s

journalwherehementionedthebookthatwasn’tsupposedtobecopied,Ithinkhemighthavebeen implying that themenwhodidn’t trustBaraccuswere theoneswhomade the copies. I think that’swho hemeant, anyway, but I’m notsure;hereferstothemas‘thehalf-witsfromYanklee’sYarns.’“NiccispunaroundtoBerdine.“Yanklee’sYarns!”Richard looked from Nicci’s astounded expression to Berdine’s. “What’s

Yanklee’sYarns?”heasked.“Abook,”Berdinesaid.RichardturnedaquestioninglookonNicci.Niccihuffed inexasperation.“It’smore than justabook,Richard.Yanklee’s

Yarnsisabookofprophecy.Avery,verypeculiarbookofprophecy.Itpredatesthegreatwarbysevencenturies.ThevaultsatthePalaceoftheProphetshadanearlycopyofit.ItwasacuriositythateverySisterstudiedinthecourseofhereducationaboutprophecy.”Richardpeeredaroundatthebooksliningtheshelves.“Whatwassopeculiar

aboutit?”“It’sabookofprophecythatisnothingbutgossipandhearsay.”Richardturnedbacktoher.“Idon’tgetit.”“Well,”Niccisaid,pausingtofindtherightwords,“itwasn’tbelievedtobe

prophecyaboutfutureevents…exactly.It’s,it’s,well,it’sactuallybelievedtobeprophecyaboutfuturegossip,sotospeak.”Richardrubbedhistiredeyesashesighed.HelookedupatNicciagain.“You

mean to say that this Yanklee fellow wrote predictions about gossip?”WhenNiccinodded,allhecoulddowasask,“Why?”

Niccileanedinalittle.“That’stheveryquestiontowhicheveryonewantedananswer.”Richardshookhishead,asiftoclearthecobwebs.“You see, there are many things that are secret”—Nicci gestured toward

Berdine—”like thisbusinesswith thebook thatwasn’t supposed tobe copied.Those kinds of secrets often remain secret because people go to their graveswithout ever revealing them.That’swhywhenwe study historical recordswesometimesarenotabletosolvemysteries—therejustisn’tanyinformationtobehad.“But,sometimes,therearelittletidbitsofinformationfloatingaround,things

people saw or overheard, and the peoplewho saw or overheard them start togossipaboutthosetastytidbits.TherewereSistersatthePalaceoftheProphetswhobelieved that hiddenwithin this prophetic bookof gossip therewould behintsofwhatthosefuturesecretswouldturnouttobe.”Richard arched an eyebrow. “You mean these Sisters were, in essence,

listeningtogossipinordertooverhearsomething?”Niccinodded.“Somethinglikethat.”“You see, there were a few Sisters who considered this simple book of

seeming nonsense to be one of the most important books of prophecy inexistence. It was kept under tight security. It was never allowed to leave thevaultsforstudy,assomeothervolumesofprophecywere.“There were Sisters who devoted a lot of their spare time to studying this

seeminglysillybook.Becausepeopledon’tgenerallygotothetroubletorecordgossip,Yanklee’s Yarns is thought to be the only book of its kind—the onlywrittenaccountofgossip,evenifithadn’thappenedyet.TheseSistersbelievedthat therewereevents that couldn’tbediscoveredor studied inanyotherwayexceptthroughthisbook,whichpredatedsuchevents.Inessence,theybelievedthat they were eavesdropping on whispered gossip about things that wouldhappen in the future, gossip about secret things. They believed thatYanklee’sYarns held invaluableclues to secretsunknown toanyoneelseor in anyotherway.”Richardpressedhisfingertipstohisforeheadashetriedtotakeitallin.“You

said that there were Sisters devoted to studying this book. Do you happen toknowwhoanyoftheseSisterswere?”Niccinoddedslowly.“SisterUlicia.”“Oh,great,”Richardmuttered.Berdineopenedaglasseddoortooneofthebookshelvesandpulledavolume

offtheshelf.Sheturnedbackandshowedthebook’scovertoRichardandNicci.

ThetitlewasYanklee’sYarns.“WhenIreadinKolo’sjournalabout‘thehalf-witsfromYanklee’sYarns,’that

namewassooddthatitkindofstuckinthebackofmymind.YouknowwhatImean?Then,oneday,Iwasinheredoingresearchandthisbook’stitlejumpedoutatme.Ididn’trealizeitwasabookofprophecy,likeyousaid,Nicci.”Nicci shrugged with one shoulder. “Some books of prophecy are hard to

recognizeasprophecy—especiallyforsomeonenottrainedinsuchthings.Suchimportant volumes can appear to be simply boring records or, in the case ofYanklee’sYarns,nothingmorethantrivialnonsense.”Berdineindicatedthebookshelvesliningthesmallroom.“Excepttherewould

hardlybeanythingtrivialinthisroom.”“Goodpoint,”Richardsaid.Berdinesmiled,pleasedthatherecognizedthevalueofherreasoning.Sheset

the book down on the table that occupied the center of the small library andcarefullyopenedthecover.Sheleafedthroughthefragilepagesuntilshefoundtheplaceshewanted.Shelookedupateachoftheminturn.“Since Kolo had mentioned this book, I thought I ought to read it. It was

really boring. Nearly put me to sleep. It didn’t appear of any importance atall”—shetappedapage—”untilIspottedthis,here.Thisreallywokemeup.”Richardtwistedhisheadtoreadthewordsaboveherfinger.Hehadtoworkat

itamomenttofigureoutthemeaningofthepassagewritteninHighD’Haran.Hescratchedhistempleashetranslatedaloud.“‘Sonervouswillbethemeddlinghalf-witstocopythekeythatshouldnever

be copied, that theywill tremble in fear at what they have done and cast theshadowofthekeyamongthebones,nevertorevealthatonlyonekeywascuttrue.’“ThehairatthebackofRichard’sneckstoodonend.Carafoldedherarmsacrossherbreasts.“Soyoumeantosaythatyouthink

thatwhenitcamerightdowntothedeeditselfandtheymadethecopies, theyturnedchickenandmadeallbutonecopyafake?”Berdinedrewherhanddownher longbraidofglossybrownhair.“Itwould

appearso.”Richardwas still lost in thewords. “Cast the shadowof thekey among the

bones…”HelookedupatBerdine.“Hidtheminthecentralsites.Buriedthemwiththebones.”Berdinesmiled.“It’ssogood tohaveyouback,LordRahl.YouandI think

justalike. I’vemissedyousomuch.Therehavebeensomany things like thisI’vewantedtogooverwithyou.”

Richardlaidanarmgentlyaroundhershoulders,revealingasimilarsentimentwithoutusingthewords.Berdine turnedovermorepages in thebook, finallystoppingataplace that

wasblank.“Anumberof thebooksseemtohave textmissing, like thisplace,here.”“Prophecy,”Niccisaid.“It’spartoftheChainfirespellthattheSistersofthe

DarkusedonRichard’swife.Thespellalsoeliminatedprophecyrelatedtoherexistence.”BerdineconsideredNicci’swords.“Thatcertainlyisgoingtomakeitallmore

difficult. It takes away a lot of information that might be useful. Verna hadmentioned that there was copy missing from the books of prophecy, but shedidn’tknowthereason.”Nicci glanced around at the shelves. “Showme all the books you know of

withtextmissing.”RichardwonderedwhyNiccilookedsosuspicious.Berdine opened several of the glass doors and pulled out volumes, handing

them each in turn to Nicci. Nicci scanned them briefly, then dismissively setthemonthe table.“Prophecy,”shepronouncedyetagainasshe tossed the lastoneBerdinehandedheronthepile.“Whatareyougettingat?”Richardasked.Instead of answering him, she looked at Berdine. “Anymore withmissing

text?”Berdinenodded.“Thereisonemore.”SheglancedbrieflyatRichard,thenpushedarowofbooksoutofherway.At

thebackofashelfshedrewapanelaside.Asmallsectionofthewallopenedtorevealagildednichewithasmallbooksittingonadarkgreenvelvetpillowwithagoldenfringe.Theleathercoverlookedtooncehavebeenred,butwasnowsofadedandwornthatthebitsoffaintcoloronlyhintedatitspastglory.Itwasadelicatelybeautifulbook, intriguingpartlybecauseof itssmallsize,andpartlybecauseoftheornatedecorativeleatherwork.“I used to help Lord Rahl—I mean Darken Rahl—work on translations of

booksinHighD’Haran,”Berdineexplained.“Thisroomwasoneoftheplaceshewouldstudyhisprivatebooks—that’showIknewwheretofindthekeyandabout this secret compartment in the back of the bookcase. I really thought itmightbesomethinguseful.”“Andwasit?”Richardasked.“I thought it would be, but I’m afraid not. It, too, is missing text. Except,

unlike thoseotherbooks, thisone isn’t justmissing someof the texthere and

there,ormissingwholesections.Instead,thisbookismissingeverysingleword.It’scompletelyempty.”“It’smissingeveryword?”Nicciaskedsuspiciously.“Letmeseeit.”Berdine handed the little book over to Nicci. “It’s completely blank, I’m

tellingyou.Seeforyourself.It’suseless.”Nicciopenedtheancient,wornleathercoverandscannedthefirstpage.Her

finger followedalongas if shewere reading.She flipped thepageandstudiedthenext,thendidthesamethingyetagain.“Dearspirits,”shewhisperedassheappearedtoread.“Whatisit?”Richardasked.Berdinestretcheduponher tiptoesandpeekedover the topof thebook.“It

can’tbeanything.See—it’sblank.”“No, it’snot,”Niccimurmuredas she read. “This is abookofmagic.”She

lookedup.“Itonlyappearsblanktothosewithout thegift.And, inthecaseofthisparticularwork,eventheymustpossessthegiftinsufficientstrengthtobeabletoreadthis.Thisisaprofoundlyimportantvolume.”Berdinewrinkledhernose.“What?”“Booksofmagicaredangerous,someexceedinglydangerous.Some,suchas

thisone,arebeyondeventhat.”NicciwaggledthebookattheMord-Sith.“Thisoneisfarmorethanprofoundlydangerous.“Asaformofprotectionsuchbooksareusuallyshieldedinsomeway.Ifthey

areconsidereddangerousenough,thentheyareprotectedwithspellsthatmakethetextvanishfromaperson’smindsoquicklythattheydon’trecallseeingit.Itmakes them think the pages are blank.A personwithout the gift simply can’tholdthewordsofabookofmagicintheirmind.Youactuallydoseethewordsin this book, but you forget seeing them so fast that you aren’t cognizant thattherewasanythingonthepages—thewordsvanishfromyourmindbeforeyouactuallyperceivethem.“That particular spell is, in part, the basis for the concept of the Chainfire

spell. The wizards in ancient times—who often used such spells to protectdangerous books theywrote—began towonder if such a thing could be donewithaperson,ineffectmakingthemvanish,justasthewordsinsomebooksofmagiccanseemtovanish.”Niccigesturedvaguelyasherattentiondriftedbacktothebook.“Ofcourse,

whenasoulisinvolveditcomplicatesthewholematterbeyondwords.”RichardhadlongagolearnedthathehadbeenabletomemorizeTheBookof

Counted Shadows only because he was gifted. Zedd had told him that if hehadn’thad thegift,hewouldn’thavebeenable tohold thewords inhismind

longenoughtohaverememberedasingleone.“So,whatisthisbookabout?”heasked.Niccifinallypulledhergazeawayfromthepagesandlookedup.“This isa

bookofmagicinstruction.”“Iknow,yousaidthatalready,”hesaid,patiently.“Instructionforwhat?”Niccicheckedthepageagain,andswallowedassheagaingazedintohiseyes.

“I think this is theoriginal instructionbook for putting theboxesofOrden inplay.”Richardfeltgoosebumps,yetagain,tingleuphisarmsandlegs.HegentlyliftedthebookfromNicci’shands.Sureenough,itwasnotblankat

all. Every page was packed with small written words, diagrams, charts, andformulas.“ThisisinHighD’Haran.”HelookedupatNicci.“Youmeantosayyoucan

readHighD’Haran?”“Ofcourse.”RichardsharedalookwithBerdine.He could see immediately that the book was profoundly complex. He had

learnedHighD’Haran, but this bookwas something only on the brink of hisunderstanding.“This is farmore technical than theHighD’Haran I’mused to reading,”he

saidashescannedthepages.Niccileanedcloseandpointedtoaplaceonthepagehewasstaringat.“This

here is all referencematerial to formulas needed in incantations.You have toknowtheformulasandspellstoreallyunderstandit.”Richardlookedupintoherblueeyes.“Anddoyou?”Shetwistedhermouthasshefrownedatthepage.“Idon’tknow.I’dhaveto

studyitatlengthtoknowifIcanbeofanyhelpintranslatingit.”Berdine again stretched up on her tiptoes and peered into the book, as if

checkingtoseeifmaybethewordsmightnowappeartoher.“Whycan’tyoutellrightaway?Imean,eitheryoucanreadandunderstandit,oryoucan’t.”Niccirakedthefingersofonehandbackthroughherblondhairasshetooka

deep breath. “It’s not that simplewith books ofmagic. It’s kind of like doingcomplexmathematicalequations.Youmayknowthenumbersandatfirstthinkyou know what it’s about, that you can work the equation, but if you thendiscoverunknownsymbolsburiedintheequation—symbolsthatrefertothingsunfamiliar to you—then the entire equation is pretty much unworkable. Justknowing some of the numbers isn’t enough. You have to know what everyelementmeans,oratleasthowtofindthevalueorquantityitrepresents.

“This is much the same, although I’m simplifying it so that you canunderstandmypoint.Inthistherearenotjustsymbols,butobsoletereferencestospells,makingitallthemoredifficulttounderstand.BeinginHighD’Haranmakes itworseyetbecauseover timeHighD’Haranwordsand theirmeaninghavechanged.Addedtothat,thistextisanancient,argotform.”Richardgrippedherarm,drawingherattention.“Nicci, this is important;do

youthinkyoucanmanagetodoit?”She looked hesitantly at the book. “It will take some time before I can

translateenoughtobeabletotellyouifIhaveachanceofbeingsuccessful.”Richardtookthebookoutofherhands,closedit,andhandeditbacktoher.

“Thenyou’dbettertakeitwithyou.Whenwehavemoretimeyoucanstudyitandsecifyoucanfigureitout.”Shefrownedsuspiciously.“Why?Whatareyouthinking?”“Nicci, don’t you see? This could be our answer. If you can translate it,

understand it, then what’s in here might provide us with a way to counter,reverse,ordismantlewhatSisterUliciadid.With this,maybewecan take theboxesofOrdenbackoutofplay.”Niccigentlyrubbedherthumboverthecoverofthelittlebook.“Thatsounds

like itmakes sense,Richard, but knowinghow todo somethingdoesn’tmeanthatyoucanundoit.”“Kindofliketryingtogetyourselfunpregnant?”Caraasked.Niccismiled.“Somethinglikethat.”Cara’sunexpectedanalogy threwRichard’smindback toKahlan, andwhen

she had been pregnant. A gang of men had caught her alone and beaten hernearly todeath.She lost her andRichard’s child.Herpregnancyendedbeforehe’devenknownaboutit.ThememoryofseeingKahlansogrievouslyhurtnearlybuckledhisknees.He

had to force the ghastly thoughts back into the blackness from where they’dcome.Nicci’s brow twitchedwith a frown, apparently at seeing the anguish in his

face.Heignoredherunspokenworryforhim.“Idon’tneedtoremindyouhowimportantthisis,”hesaid.Sheheldhiminhergazeforalongmoment,asifwantingtotellhimthatit

was impossible, but desperately not wanting to say no to him. She finallypressedherlipstightandnodded.“I’lldomybest,Richard.”Herexpressionsuddenlybrightened.She flipped to theendof thebookand

hurriedly turned back the last page. She stood absorbed for amoment as she

scrutinizedthefinalpage.“Thisisinteresting,”shemurmured.:“What?”Richardasked.Niccilookedupfromthemiddleofwhatshewasreading.“Well,attheendof

some books of magic, as a precaution against unauthorized use, they willoccasionallyhave some final step that’s essentialbutnot included. If so, then,eveniftheboxesarealreadyinplay,wemightbeabletointerrupttheseriesofspecific actions required.Doyou seewhat Imean?Sometimes, if the book isdangerous enough, it won’t be complete in and of itself, but will requiresomethingelsetocompleteit.”“Somethingelse?Likewhat?”“Idon’tknow.That’swhatI’mchecking.”Sheheldupafinger.“Letmeread

justalittleofthispart…”Afteramomentshelookedupasshetappedthepage.“Yes,Iwasright.This

warns that touse thisbook, thekeymustbeused.Otherwise,without thekey,everything that has comebeforewill not onlybe sterile, but fatal. It says thatwithin one full year the keymust complete what has been wrought with thisbook.”“Key,”Richardrepeatedinaflattone.HeglancedtoBerdine.“‘Theywilltrembleinfearatwhattheyhavedoneandcasttheshadowofthe

keyamongthebones,’“shequotedfromYanklee’sYarns.“Youthinkthatcouldbethekeythisbookistalkingabout?”Somethingstirredinthedarkfringesofhisconsciousness.Withalightning-swiftsparkofcomprehension,Richardunderstood.Hiswholebodyflashedicycold.Hisarmsandlegswentnumb.“Dearspirits…”hewhispered.Niccifrownedathim.“Richard,what’swrong.You’vegoneaspaleaschalk.”Richard had trouble making his voice work. Finally, he heard himself say

“I’vegottogetbacktoZedd.”Niccireachedoutandlaidahandonhisarm.“What’swrong?”“IthinkIknowwhatthekeyis.”Richardbegantopantashisheartpoundedoutofcontrol.Everythingheknew

was turning upside down and all the pieceswere coming apart. It felt like hecouldn’tgethisbreath.Theywill trembleinfearatwhattheyhavedoneandcast theshadowofthe

keyamongthebones.

“Well,whatdoyouthink—”“I’llexplainwhenwegetthere.Wehavetogo—now.”Worried,Niccislippedthebookintoapocketintheblackskirtofherdress.

“I’lldomybest,Richard.I’llfigurethisout—Ipromise.”Henoddedabsentlyashismindracedtotrytofitallthepiecesbacktogether.

Hefeltasifhewereonlywatchinghimselfbegintomove.HeseizedBerdinebythearm.“Baraccushadasecretplace—alibrary.Ineed

youtotrytofindoutwhereitwas.”Berdinenoddedathisurgency.“Allright,LordRahl.I’llseewhatIcanlearn.

I’lldomybest.”She glanced down at the white knuckles on his hand gripping her arm.

Richardrealizedthathemustbehurtingherandletgo.“Thankyou,Berdine.IknowIcancountonyou.”Theotherswereallstaring

athim.“I’vegottogetbacktoZedd.I’vegottotalktohimrightaway.I’vegottoknowwherehegotit.”“Gotwhat?”Niccipressedahandtohischest,stoppinghimbeforehewent

throughthedoor.“Richard,what’ssoimportantthat—”“Look,I’llexplainitwhenwegetbackthere,”hesaid,cuttingheroff.“Right

nowIneedtothinkthisthrough.”NiccisharedatroubledlookwithCara.“Allright,Richard.Calmdown.We’ll

bebacktotheKeepsoonenough.”Hesnatcheda fistfulofCara’s red leatheroutfitandpushedher through the

doorwayaheadofhim.“Getusbacktothesliph—theshortestroute.”Allbusiness,now,CaraspunherAgielupintoherfist.“Comeon,then.”HeturnedbacktoBerdine,trottingbackwardafterCara.“Ineedyoutofind

outeverythingyoupossiblycanaboutBaraccus.Everything!”BerdineracedalongjustaheadofNicci.“Iwill,LordRahl.”Hepointedbackather.“Vernawillbeheresoon.TellherthatIsaidIneedher

tohelpyou.HaveherSistershelpyou,too.Gothrougheverybookintheentirepalaceifyouhaveto,butfindouteverythingyoucanaboutBaraccus—wherehewasborn,wherehegrewup,whatheliked,whathedidn’t.HewasFirstWizard,sothereshouldbe informationofsomekind.Iwant toknowwhocuthishair,whomadehisclothes,whathis favoritecolorwas.Everything,nomatterhowtrivialyouthinkitis.Whileyou’reatit,seeifyoucanfindoutanythingmoreaboutwhatthehalf-witsfromYanklee’sYarnsdid.”“Don’tworry,LordRahl,ifthereisanyinformationtobehad,Iwillhaveit.

I’llfigureitoutandhaveananswerwhenyoureturn.”Richard snatched Nicci’s hand to make sure she kept up and then turned

towardCara.“Hurry.”Berdine,Agielinherfist,ranafterthem,guardingtherear.Richardwasonly

dimly aware of the flashes of light off polished armor and weapons, and thejangleofgear, as the soldiers tookup thechaseas if theKeeperhimselfwereaftertheLordRahl.Ashismindracedasfastashisfeet,Richardresolvedthathehadbettergoto

Caskafirst.Themoreheconsidered that idea,andaspiecesof thepuzzle started fitting

together,hereconsideredtheidea.Withthesliph,hecouldtravelswiftlybacktoCaskafromtheKeep.ItwasmoreurgentthathegettoZedd.Astheyranthroughthelabyrinthofhalls,rooms,andpassageways,Richard

heardthedistanttollofthebell,callingpeopletothedevotiontotheLordRahl.He wondered if they would all soon be kneeling before the Keeper of the

underworld,andsayingtheirdevotionstohim.

Chapter30Sixabruptlystood.Withoutawordshetookthreelongstridestothewallof

thecavethatheldViolet’sexpansivedrawing.Thewomancarefullypressedherbonyhandsagainst thechalksymbols thatViolethaddrawntheredaysbefore.Those symbols had suddenly begun to glow, the yellow chalk glowing withyellowlight,theredchalkwithredlight,andthebluewithbluelight.Theeerieillumination from the flaring colors shimmered over thewalls of the cave thewaylightreflectedoffripplingwater.RachelglancedoveratViolet,sittingonasquat,purple-tuftedstoolshe’dhad

Rachelcarryinforherdaysbefore.Theboredqueenpickedwithherfingernailatflakingstoneonthewallbehindher.RachelhadcometothinkofVioletasthequeenofthecave,sincethatwaswheretheyspentmoreandmoreoftheirtime.Violetdidn’tlikesittingonrockwhenshewasn’tdrawing.Afilthyoldrock,

she’d said, was more than good enough for Rachel, but not for a queen. Sixhadn’t cared at all about the stool. She appeared to always have moreconsequentialmattersonhermindthancushionsforsitting.Violet,though,gottired of waiting while Six thought about those consequential matters, and soshe’dhadRachellugtheheavystooltothecave.Now,thequeenofthecave,undertheflickeringlightoftorchesandglowing

symbols,satuponhertuftedpurplethronewaitingforheradvisortoadviseherastowhatneededtobedonenext.“Hecomes,”Sixhissed.“Againhecomesthroughthevoid.”Itwasclear toRachel that thewomanwasn’t really talking toViolet,but to

herself.Thequeenmightaswellnothavebeenthere.Violetglancedup.Shedidn’tlookinclinedtobothertostandunlessSixtold

her that itwas necessary that she domore drawings, but itwas clear that herinterest had been roused. This was, after all what she wanted and the wholereason she bothered to go to all the work of making such complex drawingsdowninadankanddingycavewhenshecouldjustaswellbetryingondressesandjewelsorattendinggrandfeastswhereguestsfawnedovertheyoungqueen.Sixseemedinaworldofherownasherhandsglidedoverthedrawing.She

put thesideofher faceagainst thestoneandat thesame timereachedanarmback.“Come,mychild.”AscowlcreasedViolet’sroundfeatures.“Youmean,‘myqueen.’“Sixeitherdidn’thearher,ordidn’tcaretocorrectherself.“Hurry.Itistimeto

beginthelinks.”Violetstood.“Now?It’slongpastdinnertime.I’mstarving.”

Six,strokinghercheekagainstthechalkdrawingofRichardlikeacatrubbingthesideofitsfaceagainstaperson’slegs,didn’tseematallinterestedindinner.She rolled her long fingers, beckoning Violet. “It must be now. Hurry.We

mustnotwastesucharareopportunity.Suchlinksasweneedwilltaketimeandthereisnotellinghowmuchtimewemayhave.”“Wellthenwhydidn’twebeginearlier,whenthere—”“Itmustbestartednow,whenheisinthevoid.”Sixclawedtheairwithone

hand. “Easier to scratch his eyes out when he’s blind,” she said in her hissyvoice.“Idon’tseewhy—”“Thewayistheway.Doyouwishthisornot?”Violet’s foldedarms, alongwithherdefiance, cameundone.Herexpression

tookonadarkset.“Ido.”A sinuous smile slipped across Six’s features. “Then let it begin.Youmust

nowcompletethelinks.”Looking suddenly resolute,Violet plucked the sticks of colored chalk off a

littleledgeinthestonewallbehindherroyalstool.AsshestrodeupbesideSix,thewomantappedalong,thinfingertothestone.“Beginatthesignofthedagger,asI’vetaughtyou,justasyou’vepracticed,

toinsurethat,attheinitiationofthelink,whatyouhavewroughtwillbereadytosliceswiftandsure.”“Iknow,Iknow,”Violetsaidassheboldlytouchedthetipoftheyellowchalk

tothepointofoneoftheelaborateglowingsymbolsofftothesideofRichard.SixsnatchedViolet’swrist,pullingherhandbackjustenoughtoliftthechalk

away from thewall. ShemovedViolet’s hand over a few inches, then let thechalkagaintouchthesymbol,butatthenextapexinadesignwithaperimetercomprisedofdozensofpoints.“Itoldyou,”SixsaidwithstrainedcivilityasshehelpedVioletbegintheline,

“amistakeherewilllastusforeternity.”“Iknow—Ijustgotthewrongapexpoint,that’sall,”Violethuffed.“I’vegot

it,now.”Six,ignoringthequeen,hergazefixedonthedrawing,noddedapprovinglyas

shewatchedthechalkbegintomoveacrossthestone.“Changetored,”SixpromptedinalowvoiceafterViolethadpulledthechalk

afewinchesacrosstheopendistance.Withoutargumentorhesitation,Violetchangedthechalkfortheredoneand

starteditmovingatananglefromtheyellowlineshehadalreadydrawn.Afterbringing it half the remaining distance toward the drawing of Richard, she

stoppedwithoutneedingtobetoldandswitchedtothebluechalk.Shehesitated,then,andglancedupatSix.“Thisisthenode?Right?”Sixwasalreadynodding.“That’sright,”shemurmured,pleasedwithwhatshe

was seeing. “That’s right, take it around and back now to complete the firstligature.”Violetdrewabluecircleattheendoftheredlinebeforecrossingtheempty

placeon thesmooth,darkstonewall.When thebluechalk reachedoneof thepoints on the next symbol, she went back and drew a line from the circle toconnecttoRichard.ThecompletedtriadoflinesViolethadjustdrawnbegantoglow.Thebluecircleignitedwithabeamoflight,asifitwereabeaconcomingthroughawindowinthedarkstone.Sixabruptlyheldupahand,commandingthatVioletstopbeforeshecouldput

thechalktothenextpointinthesequence.“What’swrong?”Violetasked.“Something…isnotright…”Sixpressedthesideofherfacetothedrawing,thistimelayinghercheekright

atopRichard’sface.“Notrightatall…”

Richard drew another silvered breath of the ecstasy but, with his urgentworries overriding the experience, it was something short of the remarkableessenceofrapturethatheusuallyexperiencedwithinthesliph.Herealized,though,thatwhenhetraveledinthesliphhewasusuallygravely

troubled by something; after all, trouble of one sort or another was why hetraveledinthesliphinthefirstplace.Still,ithadneverbeforefeltthisway.Thisfeelingwas not dread somuch as it was a sense of the great, but intangible,weightofforeboding.Witheverybreath,thatphantomweightpressedinonhimevermore.Withinthesliphtherewasnorealsenseofvision,assuch,justastherewasno

realsenseoftime,orup,ordown.Evenso,therewasasemblanceofsight;therewerecolorsand,onoccasion,obscureshapesthatseemedtoloomupandjustasquicklyvanish.Therewasalsoavisualperceptionofthephenomenonofmind-bendingspeedthatmadehimfeelasifhewerenothingmorethananarrowfiredfromapowerfulbow.At thesame time, therewasa feelingofalmost floatingmotionlesswithin the thickvoidof thesliph.Thosedifferentsensationsmixedtogethercreatedaheadymixofthewholeoftheexperiencethatsuspendedhisurgetoseparatethemintoconstituentparts.

Asheracedthroughthequicksilveressenceofthesliph,hebegantodiscounthis anxiety. It was then that Richard felt the faint brush of an odd sensationagainsthisskin,astealthypressurethatheinstantlyrecognizedasasensationhehad never before experienced as he traveled. Tingling apprehension ripplingthroughhim.Forboding,herealized,wasnottangibleinthewaythatthistouchhadbeen.As he drifted, held in the embrace of the vast silver emptiness, he tried to

separate the perception of having been touched from everything else. Richardfelt theplacid isolationof thesliphsurroundinghim,caressinghim, insulatinghim from the terrible, headlong rush of speed that otherwise seemed as if itwould surely have to tear a person apart. He still felt the balm of serenityquellinghisfearofbreathingintohislungstheliquidinwhichhefloated.But Richard felt something else, even if he was not yet able to set the

troublingsensationapartfromallothersenoughtodefineit.With growing conviction, though, he was sure that something was wrong,

Frighteningly wrong. It was all the more disturbing because he couldn’tunderstand how he knew that something was imperfect. He worked tocomprehendwhyhewouldthinksuchathing.Ithadtohavebeen,hedecided,thatfurtivetouch.Hebrieflywonderedifhe

couldhaveimaginedit,butthendiscountedthenotion.Hehadfeltit.Itseemedalmostasifhewereinthepresenceofanunholytaint,likelyingin

awarm,sunlitmeadowonabeautifulday,surroundedbythecascadeofcolorsandbalmyaromaofwildflowers,watchingcottonycloudsslowlydriftthroughabrightbluesky,andthencatchingthefirstfaintwhiffofadecomposingcarcasswhileatthesametimerealizingthatthevaguesoundyouheardwasthebuzzingofflies.What ordinarily seemed like a timeless spell spent racing through the

smoothly silver sliph had begun to drag out into an agonizing suspension ofheadway.Caraalreadyhadhisrighthandinanirongrip,butNiccigrippedhislefthand

evenmoretightly.Hecouldtellinthaturgentsqueezethatshesensedsomethingaswell.Hewished that he could ask herwhat she felt, but talkingwithin thesliphwasnotpossible.Richardopenedhiseyeswider, trying toseemoreofwhatwasaroundhim,

butitwasamuted,murkyworldwheretherewaslittletobeseen,otherthantheshimmering shafts of light—yellow, red, blue—piercing the gloom throughwhichtheyraced.Richarddidn’tthinkthatthoseshaftsoflightweremovingasthey once had been. It was hard to tell such things for sure within the sliph,

though.Itwasgenerallyahazysenseofevents,ratherthanactualperception.There was something out ahead of him, Richard realized, something

maneuvering fluidly through the silver obscurity. At first it looked like long,slenderpetals justbeginning toblossomopen.As it camecloser,Richard sawthat it looked more like numerous arms—tapered, long, undulating objects—fanning open from a central element that for some reason he could not quitefigureout.Itwasdisorientingtowatchbecauseitwassoincomprehensible.Asitcame

evercloser,itbegantoappeartoRichardasifwhateveritwaswasmadeupofsegments of glass, all assembled into something orderly, something billowingopenbeforehim.Hecouldseethroughthetransparent,expandingarms,seetheshaftsofcolorandlightshimmeringbeyond.Itwastheoddestthinghehadeverseen.Ashardashetried,hesimplycould

notmakesenseofit.Itwaslikeitwasthere,butnotthere.Andthen,withicydread,comprehensionwashedthroughhim.At the same time,Niccipulledhishand sohard that it nearlywrenchedhis

armrightoutofitssocket.Theyankmusthavepulledhimback,becauseCara,still holding his other hand, sailed around him as if falling through midair.Richardducked.Thetranslucentshapewhippedpasthisface,justmissinghim.Niccihadpulledhimbackjustintime.Richardknewnowwhatitwas.Itwasthebeast.The sense of being in the presence of evil was suddenly so strong that it

engulfed himwith suffocating panic.As the beast, like some temporal vision,skimmed past him, it twisted around. The glassy arms fanned open as theyreachedoutandagaintriedtosnatchhim.With a sharp tug Nicci again drew him back from the star-shaped net of

tentaclesspreadwidebeforehim.Againtheytriedtoclosearoundhim.RichardpulledhishandawayfromCara’sanddrewhisknife.Withherhow

freehand,sheimmediatelysnatchedafistfulofhisshirttoholdontohim.Richarddidhisbesttoslashattheever-reachingarmstryingtoembracehim

in their deadly grasp. It didn’t take long to realize that fighting with a knifewithin the sliphwas close to impossible. It was too fluid an environment forRichard to be able to strikewith any speed. Itwas like trying tomaneuver inhoney.Hechangedhistacticsandinsteadwaitedforthearmstodrawinaroundhim,waitedforwhateverwasattheglassycentertocometohim.Whentheydid,hedrovethebladetowardthatawarecenterofthetranslucent

threat.Ratherthanbeimpaledontheblade,though,thecreatureonlyseemedto

foldaroundRichard’sknifeandtwisteffortlesslyaway.Andthenitagaincameintoattack,nowwithakindofabrupt,intentfurythat

Richardcouldsense.Thethingmovedwithafluidgracethatdidn’tseemtobehinderedatallbythefluidworldsurroundingthem.ToonesideRichardsawtheshimmeringshapeofCara,stillgrippinghisshirt

as she tried toattack thebeastwithher freehand.To theother side,heknew,Nicciwas trying toworkmagic. Itdidn’t seemthathermagicwasworking intheenvironmentofthesliph.Oneof thebeast’sarmscoiledaroundRichard’sarm,another lashedaround

Cara’s. She seized hiswristwith her other hand. The beast fastened onto herother arm aswell and effortlessly ripped the two of them apart. In an instant,Carawasgone. In themurkydarknessRichardcouldn’t tellwhereshewas,orhow close shemight be.Worse, he didn’t know if shewas all right, or if thecreaturehadher.Nicci tightened her armprotectively aroundRichard’swaist, holding on for

dearlife,asmoreoftheundulating,transparentarmscameoutofthegloomandcoiledaroundthem.Itwaslikegettingtangledinanestofsnakes,allentwiningthemselves and constricting with great force once attached. The one aroundRichard’slegdrewsotightthathethoughtitwouldsurelyriphisfleshfromthebone.EventhoughRichardcouldnothearNicciintheconventionalsense,hecould

perceivehermuffledcriesoffuryasshefoughtthethingthathadsnaredthem.Anodd,muted formof lightning flickeredmadly aroundNicci.Richardknewshewastryingtouseherpower,butitwasn’thavinganyeffectonthebeast.Richard ignored the pain of the glassy tentacles that already had him and

stabbedoverandover,cuttingintothickarmsthatlookedtobeonlypartlythere.With determined and focused rage he slashedwith the knife andwas able tocleave someof the arms away from the core of the thing.Once severed, theywrithedwildlyastheyfellawayintothevoidaroundthem,asifsinkingintoabottomlesssea.Itseemedtodonogood;evermoreofthetwistingtentaclescameathimfrom

outofthedarkness.Itwaslikefindinghimselfatthebottomofadarkpitfullofangryvipers.Richardfoughtonwithallhisstrength,cutting,stabbing,slashing.Hisarmsachedwiththeeffort.Niccigrappledwiththethicktentacleswithonehand, her other arm still refusing to let himgo.He could tell by theway shearchedand twisted that shewas inagony.Richardabandoned thecoilsaroundhimselfandwithallhisfuryhackedatthearmsofthebeasthurtingNicciastheytriedtopullherawayfromhim.

Butthenshewasviolentlytornawayfromhim.Richardwassuddenlyaloneinthemiddleofnowherewithaglassy,slippery,

powerfulcreaturetryingtowrestlehimintowarditscenter,towardsomethinghecouldhearsnarling,snapping,clacking.Therewasnowaytofightsuchathing,nowaytogetanadvantageoverits

power,nowaytoescapeitsmulti-armedgrasp.Evermoreofthearmswhippedintocapturehim.Withallhisstrength,beforehisarmwascaptured,hethrusttheknifetoward

thecentermassthathecouldn’tclearlysee.Hemadesolidcontact.Thebeasthowledwithasoundthathurthisears.The

arms loosened just a bit—not letting go of him, but loosed just enough forRichardtogiveamightytwistofhisbodythatsucceededinspinninghimoutofthe creature’s grip. It an instant, like a pumpkin seed squeezed between wetfingers,hesquirtedawayfromthedeadlygrip.Richard tried to swim away, to somehow escape the thrashing, translucent

armscomingforhim,butitwasfasterthanhewas,morepowerful,andtireless.

“Here!”Sixurgedassherappedherknucklesagainstthecenterofanemblem.Violetracedwiththechalktothespotheradvisorwasurginghertoward.Her

fingers flewwith swift and suremovements.With thebackofherotherhand,Violetswipedsweatoffherface, thenwithherfingerswipedit fromhereyes.RachelhadneverseenVioletworksohard,orsofast.Racheldidn’tknowwhatwashappening,but itwasobvious that something

was not going the way Six had expected. She was in a state balancingprecariouslybetweenpanicandrage.Rachelfearedwhicheverwayitfell.While Violet swiftly completed links, switching chalk and moving to each

successive point, Six went back to softly chanting her incantations. Thecorrosivesoundof thosewhisperedwordsfeltas if theyweresearingRachel’ssoul.While she could not understand the words or their meaning, they werespokenwithasinisterintentthatterrifiedher.Sheglancedtowardthedistantcaveentrance,butwithitbeingdarkoutside,

Rachelcouldn’tseeanything.Shewantedtorunbutdarednot.SheknewthatifshecausedVioletorSix tohave to stopwhat theyweredoingandcomeafterher,itwouldgoverybadlyforher.Chasehadtaughthertobridleherimpulses,ashe’dcalledit,andtowatchfor

true openings. He had cautioned her that if she wasn’t in immediate mortaldanger,sheshouldactonlywhenshehadadeliberateplanthatshehadthought

outaheadof time.Hesaidthatsheshouldn’tactoutofblindfear,butworktofindwaystoincreasetheoddsofsuccess.Despite howbusy the other twowere,Rachel knew thatwith both of them

togetherandbothinsuchafranticstate,theybothwouldreacttoanymisdeedbyRachelwithswiftandunrestrainedviolence.Thiswasnottherightopportunity;gettinguprightthenandrunningwasnotagoodplan,andsheknewit.AsRachel sat still and quiet, trying to keep frombeing noticed, Six gently

tappedthesideofherfistagainstseveraloftheflaringnodesinthelinksViolethadalreadydrawn.EachbrightcircleshetappedwentdarkwithalowgrowlingsoundthatranashiverupRachel’sspine.ThecaveseemedtohumwiththeriseandfallofSix’srhythmicconjuring.Violet,drawingwithbold,slashingstrokes,glancedtotheside,checkingon

Six’s progress. Six, extinguishing the beacons in sequence, was catching thequeen. Violet, as if in a trance, drew faster. The chalk made a clack, clack,clacking sound with each line that Violet threw down against the stone. ThesoundofthechalkmatchedtherhythmofSix’schant.AllaroundthefigureofRichard,Six,conjuringwithmurmuredversesspoken

inarising,singsongchantthatgraduallybroughtahowlingwindswirlingdowninto the cave, rapped the sideof her fist against points in the linksViolet hadbeen drawing without pause for hours. Rachel had thought that Violet mightsooncollapsefromexhaustionbut,farfromit,sheseemedtobeworkingherselfintoafeverpitchofeffort tryingtostayaheadofSix.Despitehowswiftlyherhandmoved,eachlineVioletdrewlookedtrue,eachintersectionmetaccuratelyandcompletely.SixhadmadeVioletpracticeendlesslydrawingthesymbolsandnowitseemedtobepayingoff.ThedrawingofRichardwasalmostcompletelyencasedinthewebofsymbols

andconnectinglines.Withastrangeword,shoutedinordertobeheardoverthehowlingwind,Six

extinguished the finalbeaconaround the figureofRichard.Thewindabruptlydied.Littlepiecesofleavesandotherdebrisfluttereddownthroughtheabruptlystillair.Six paused in her chanting. Her brow twitched. With her fingertips she

touched several of the symbols, as if feeling their pulse. Shimmers of coloredlightflickeredthroughthecave.“Ithashim,”Sixwhisperedtoherself.Violetpaused,swallowingasshecaughtherbreath.“What?”“Apogeeto inferiorapex.”SheturnedavenomouslookonastartledViolet.

“Doit!”

Without hesitation Violet turned back to the wall and reached up, drawingcoiledlinesdownwardfromoneofthecentralelementsaboveRichard’shead.Six lifted a hand. “Be ready, but don’t touch the primary invocation points

untilItellyou.”Violet nodded. Six’s eyes rolled back in her head as she leaned in on her

fingertips over the figure of Richard. As Violet and Rachel watched, Sixbreathedalowmurmurofstrangewords.

Chapter31Nicci broke above the quicksilver surface of the sliph. The weight of the

leadenliquidrolledfromherhairandface.Colorsandlightseemedtoexplodeoutofthequiet,mellowdarkness.Breathe.WithallhereffortNicciimmediatelyforcedthesilverfluidfromherlungs.Breathe.With her need overwhelming her dread, she gasped a desperate breath. It

burnedlikedrawinginacidicvapors.The room spun sickeningly in her vision. Nicci saw a smear of red. She

flounderedwoodenlyassheagaingasped.Shemanaged to reach theedgeandthrowanarmoverthesliph’sstonewalltoholdherselfup.Panicthreatenedtoswampher.Ahandseizedherarm.Niccimanagedtoheaveherpackupandoverthewall.

Anotherhandreacheddownandhelpedtohaulherupenoughforhertogetbotharmsoverthewallofthesliph.TheredshehadseenwasCara.“Where’sLordRahl!”Nicciblinkedupat theMord-Sith’s intenseblueeyes.Shehadneverknown

bluetohurtsomuch.Sheclosedhereyesandshookherhead,stilltryingtoclearher mind of the experience, of the confusion, of the ringing sound of Cara’svoiceechoingthroughthemarrowofherbones.“Richard…”Iffeltasifherinsidestwistedwiththeanguishofwantingnothingsomuchas

tohelphim.“Richard…”CaragruntedwiththeeffortofliftingNicci’sdeadweightandpullingthetop

halfofherbodytherestofthewayupandoutofthewell.Nicci,feelinglikethesurvivorofashipwreckinastormysea,slidoutoverthetopofthestonewall,unable to domuch to contribute to her own rescue.Cara put one knee to thefloor,catchingNiccibeforeherlimpbodyhitthestone.OnceCarahadloweredherdownontothestonefloor,Niccigatheredallher

strengthandpushedherselfupontremblingarms.Shecouldn’tseemtomusterherusualstrength.Itwasafrightfulfeeling,notbeingabletomakeherbodydoherbidding.Withgreateffortshefinallymanagedtotipherselfuprightandsitheavilybackagainstthewallofthesliph’swell.Shestillgasped,tryingtocatchher breath. She still hurt everywhere. For a moment she slumped against thestonewell,tryingtogatherherstrength.

Caraseizedherbythecollarofherdressandshookher.“Nicci—where’sLordRahl?”Nicciblinked,lookingaround,tryingtomakesenseofeverything.Shehurtso

much.Thepain remindedher of oneof Jagang’s beatings, thewayduringhisrageshewouldstarttofeelthepainthroughahalf-numbfogofconfusion.Butthishadnotbeen theemperor’sdoing.Thiswaspainfromsomething thathadhappened in the sliph. Traveling had never hurt before. It had never been apainfulexperience.“Where’sLordRahl!”Nicci winced at the ache of the shout echoing around the room. She

swallowedpasttherawpaininherthroat.“Idon’tknow.”Sheputherelbowsonherkneesandranherfingersbackinto

herhair,holdingherpoundingheadinbothhands.“Dearspirits,Idon’tknow.”Cara leaned over thewell so fast and so hard thatNicci thought shemight

topple in. Instinctively, she reachedout tocatch theMord-Sith’s legs, thinkingthatshewouldsurelyfallin,butshedidn’t.“Sliph!” Cara’s shout again echoed around the ancient, dusty stone room.

Nicci shared the emotion, but knew that the intensity would not accomplishanything.Ignoringthesearingpaininherjoints,shestaggeredtoherfeet.Thespinning

feeling was slowing a little. She saw the quicksilver form of the sliph’s facepartlyemergefromthewell,herfeaturesformingin theglossysurfaceto lookupatthem.“Where’sLordRahl?”Caraasked.ThesliphchosetoignoreCara’squestion.InsteadshepeeredoveratNicci.“Youmustnoteverdothatwhenyouarewithinme.”Theeerievoiceechoed

softlyaroundtheroom.“Youmeanmagic?”Nicciguessed.“I have great difficulty being able to endure such power being unleashed

withinme,butsuchathingcouldbeworseforyouandanyoneelsetravelingatthesametime.Youmustnotevertrytouseyourabilitywhenyoutravel.Itwillmakeyousickattheleast.Itcouldeasilyturnoutfarworse.Itisdangeroustoall.”“She’s right about that,”Cara said, confidentially. “Whenyou started doing

thatithurtlikeanAgielwasbeingusedonme.Mylegsstilldon’tworkright.”“Mineeither,”Nicciadmitted.“ButIcouldn’tverywelljustletthebeasthave

Richardwithouttryingtoprotecthim,now,couldI?”Ill at ease for evengiving the hint of an impression that shewouldn’t have

doneanythingtoprotectRichard,Carashookherhead.“IwouldhavetakenfarworsethanthattoprotectLordRahl.Youdidtherightthing—Idon’tcarewhatthesliphsays.”“Me too,”Nicci said.At thatmoment, though, shewasn’t concerned about

herselforCara.Sheturnedtothesliph.“WhereisRichard?Whathappenedtohim?Whereishe?”“Icannot—”Cara’spatience,ifshe’dhadany,wasgone.Shelungedforthesliphasifshe

wasgoingtotrytostranglethesilverneck.“Whereishe!”The face glided out of reach. Nicci snatched Cara’s outfit and pulled the

womanback, standingherupon the floorbesideher.Her face, redwith rage,nearlymatchedherleatheroutfit.“Sliph, this is vital,”Nicci said, trying to sound reasonable. “Wewerewith

Richard—withLordRahl,yourmaster—whenwewereattacked.That’swhyIhad to use my power. I was trying to protect him. That beast is extremelydangerous.”Theflawlesssilverfacedistortedintoafearfulcast.“Iknow,ithurtme.”Niccipausedinastonishment.“Thebeasthurtyou?”Thesliphnodded.Reflectionsoftheroombentandflowedintwistingshapes

over the smooth contours of the statuesque, silver features. Nicci stared inwonderasshimmeringquicksilvertearsformedalongthelowerlidofthesliph’seyesandrolleddowntheglossysurfaceofhercheeks.“Ithurt.Itdidnotwanttotravel.”Thesilverbrowwrinkledwithwhatlooked

likeindignationlayeredatoptorment.“Ithadnorighttousemeinthatway.Ithurtme.”NiccisharedalookwithCara.Caramayhavelookedsurprised,butshedidnotlooksympathetic.Thetruth

be told, at that moment Nicci’s worry for Richard took precedence over anyotherconcern.“Sliph,I’msorry,”Niccisaid,“but—”“Whereishe?”Caragrowled.“JusttelluswhereLordRahlis.”Thesliphhesitated.“Henolongertravels.”“Whereishe,then?”Cararepeated.The sliph’s voice turned cold anddistant. “I never reveal information about

otherswhohavebeenwithme.”“He’snotjustatraveler!”Carascreamedinrage.“It’sLordRahl!”Thesliphbackedtothefarwallofherwell.Nicciheld ahandup towardCara, urginga little restraint and forher tobe

quietamoment.“Wewereattackedbysomethingevilwhenweweretravelingtogether.Youknowthat.”Niccitriedtocalmsomeofthemenaceinhervoice.Sheknew,though,thatshewasn’tbeingaltogethersuccessful.HerrisingpanicaboutRichardwasmakingitdifficulttothink—thatandJebra’sfranticwarningthattheymustnotallowRichardtobealone,evenforaninstant.“Sliph,thatevilthingwasafteryourmaster,afterRichard.We’reRichard’sfriends—youknowthat,too.Heneedsourhelp.”“LordRahlmaybehurt,”Caraadded.NiccinoddedherconfirmationtoCara’swords.“Weneedtogettohim.”The quiet in the stone room felt painful.Nicciwas still trying to accustom

herself to being back, still struggling to suppress the agony of pain twistingthroughherwhiletryingtothinkwhattodonext.“WeneedtogettoRichard,”sherepeated.Thesilverfaceroseupalittlefarther,drawinganeckofsilverfluidupoutof

thewellwithit.ThesliphpuzzledatNicci.“Youwishtotravel?”Niccikeptatightreinonherrage.“Yes.That’sright.Wewishtotravel.”Cara, taking the cue from Nicci, gestured down into the well. “Yes, that’s

right.Wewishtotravel.”“I won’t usemymagic in you again, I promise.” Niccimotioned the sliph

closer.“Wewishtotravel—rightaway.Rightnow.”The sliph brightened, as if all was forgiven. “You will be pleased.” She

seemedeagertosatisfy.“Come,wewilltravel.”Nicciputakneeuponthewall.Herthighsachedwiththeeffort.Sheignored

thefieryagonyburningthroughhermusclesandjointsandworkedtoclimbupatopthebroadstonewall.Shewasrelievedthattheyhadatlastfoundawaytoget the sliph to comply—if not by telling them where Richard was, then bytakingthemtohim.“Yes,wewilltravel,”Niccisaid,stilltryingtocatchherbreath.Thesliphformedanarm,slippingitaroundNicci’swaist,helpingtopullher

upontothewall.“Come,then.Wheredoyouwishtotravel?”“TowhereLordRahlis.”CaraclamberedupontothewallbesideNicci.“Take

us there,” she said, putting on a smile for the sliph’s benefit, “andwewill bepleased.”Thesliphpausedandgazedather.Thearmdrewback,meltingintotheslowly

sloshingsurface.Thesilverfacelookedsuddenlyimpersonal,evenforbidding.“Icannotrevealinformationaboutotherclients.”Niccifistedherhands.“He’snotjustanyclient!He’syourmasterandhe’sin

trouble!He’sourfriend!Youhavetotakeustohim!”Thesliph’sreflectivefacemovedaway.“Icannotdosuchathing.”Nicci andCara stoodmute for amoment, both at theirwits’ end, unable to

think of how to convince the sliph to cooperate.Nicci felt like screaming, orcrying,orunleashingenoughmagictoboilthesliphintotalking.“If youdon’t helpus,” she finally said in an even tone, “thenyouwill feel

morepainthanyoudidfromthebeast.Iwillseetothat.Pleasedon’tmakemeresorttothat.WeknowyouwanttoprotectRichard.That’swhatwe’retryingtodo,too.”Thesliphstaredinsilence,likeasilverstatue,asiftryingtoassessthethreat.Cara pressed her fingers to her temples. “It’s like trying to reason with a

bucketofwater,”shemuttered.Nicciglaredatthesliph.“Youwilltakeustoyourmaster.That’sanorder.”“You’dbetterdoasshesays,”Carasaid,“orwhenshe’sdonewithyou,then

youwillhavetoanswertome.”TheMord-SithspunherAgielupintoherfisttomakeherpoint.Butwhenshedidshesuddenlyfrozestiff, staringat theweapon.Theblood

drainedfromherface.Evenherhandsstoodoutwhiteagainsttheredleatherofheroutfit.NiccileanedcloserandlaidahandonCara’sshoulder.“What’swrong?”Cara’shangingjawfinallymoved.“It’sdead.”“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Cara’sblueeyeswere filledwithunbridledpanic. “MyAgiel isdead inmy

hand.Ican’tfeelit.”WhileNiccicouldclearly read thestartleddismay in theMord-Sith’svoice,

she didn’t understand its source. Having an Agiel not give her pain hardlyseemedlikecauseforpanic.Evenso,suchnakedterrorwasinfectious.“Doesthatmeansomething?”Nicciasked,fearingtheanswer.Thesliphwatchedfromthefarsideofthewell.“TheAgielispoweredthroughourbondtoLordRahl—byhisgift.”Sheheld

the weapon out, as if in evidence. “If the Agiel is dead, then so is the LordRahl.”“Listen,I’llusemypowerifIhavetotomakethesliphtakeustohim.But

Cara,don’tstartjumpingtoconclusions.Wecan’tknow—”“He’snotthere.”“He’snotwhere?”“Anywhere.”Still,Carastaredatherslenderweaponheldupinhertrembling

fingers.“Icannolongerfeelthebond.”Herliquidblue-eyedgazeturneduptoNicci. “Thebondalways tellsuswhere theLordRahl is. I no longer can feelhim.Inolongerfeelwhereheis.He’snotthere.He’snotanywhere.”AwaveofnauseawashedthroughNicci.Shefeltfaint.Herfingersandtoes

weregoingnumb.Sheturnedbacktothesliph.Itwasgone.Niccileanedoverthewall,peeringdownintothewell.Inthedarknessbelow

shesawafaintsilverglimmerjustasitvanished,leavingbehindonlyblackness.She turned back toCara and seized a fistful of leather at her shoulder. She

hoppeddownoffthewall,pullingCarawithher.“Comeon.IknowsomeonewhocantelluswhereRichardis.”

Chapter32WithCaraatherside,Nicciraceddownthetorchlithallway,overelaborately

designed carpets that muted their footfalls, past doorways into darkness, pastroomswithoillampswarmlylightingonlyvacantfurniture.TheKeep,nearlyasvastasthemountainthatsheltereditbeneathitsstoicstoneshoulders,feltemptyandhaunted.NiccihadspentdecadesinthevastcomplexknownasthePalaceoftheProphets,whichinsomewayswasreminiscentoftheKeep,butthepalacehadbeenalivewithhundredsofpeopleofallkindslivingthere,fromthePrelatetotheboyswhotendedthestables.It,too,hadbeenaplaceofwizards—wizardsintraining,anyway.TheKeepexistedforthepurposesofman,andyetitstoodsilentandabsentofthosewhowouldgiveitlife.Ifaplacecouldbesaidtobeforlorn,theimmensestructureoftheKeepwassuchaplace.Cararanwithallherstrength,drivenbyherloyaltyandloveforRichard,by

dreadthattheworsthadhappenedtohim.Nicciranjustasfast,drivenbyfearofeven considering the possibility that hewas dead, as if trying to outrun deathitself. She couldn’t allow herself to even entertain such a concept, lest shecollapseindespair.AworldwithoutRichardinitwouldbeadeadworldtoher.Caraslidacrossthepolishedgraymarblefloortoslowherselfenoughtomake

the turn when Nicci hooked a hand on a cold, black marble newel post andcharged up thewide, black, granite steps. Thewindows far abovewere dark,makingthemlooklikeblackvoidsintheworld.Thestairwell,litbyafewglassproximity spheres, rose up through a soaring tower to seemingly impossibleheights above them,makingNicci feel as if shewere at the very bottomof averydeepstonewell.The sounds of their footsteps echoed through the Keep, like the haunting

whispers of those long-dead souls who had once walked these very halls,climbedtheseverysteps,laughedandlovedandlivedinthisplace.Atthetopofthethirdrunofstairs,Nicci,herlegsachingwiththefranticeffort,ledthemintoa broad passageway.As she ran past thewarm reddish brown cherry pilastersseparatingexpansesofbrightlycolored,leadedglass,shepointedahead,lettingCaraknowthattheywouldbeturningatthenexthallwaytotheright.Finally into the network of smaller halls leading to the quarterswhere they

had been staying, Nicci spotted Zedd in the distance, marching toward them.Rikkafollowedcloseonhisheels.Theoldwizard,lookinggrimashedrewtoahalt,waitedforthemtoclosethelastbitofdistance.“What is it?”he asked, apparentlyknowingby the lookson their faces that

somethingwasawry.“Where’sLordRahl?”Rikka demanded as she came to an abrupt halt right

behindhim.Niccirecognizedtheanxiouslookonherface.ItwasthesamelookthatCara

hadworneversinceshe’ddiscoveredthatherAgieldidn’twork.Nicciglanceddownand saw thatRikkawasgrippingherAgiel inawhite-knuckled fist, thesameasCara.Those talismansof their connection to theLordRahlwerenowdead.“Where’s my grandson?” Zedd asked, framing it in an anguished, personal

tone.“Whyisn’thewithyou?”Thelastofitsoundedlikeanaccusation,asifremindingthemofthewarning

Jebrahadgiventhembeforetheyleft,andofthepromiseNiccihadmade.“Zedd,”Niccibegan,“wecan’tsayforsure.”Thewizardcockedhishead,hiswhitehairstickingoutindisarray.Thelook

hegaveherwasverymuchthatofawizardtakingchargeofthedisquietedman.“Don’tgivemetherunaround,child.”Hadthesituationnotbeensodeadlyserious,Niccimighthavelaughedatthe

characterization.“Wewere all together in the sliph, returning to the Keep,” Nicci told him,

“and somewhere along the way—it’s impossible to tell where you are whileyou’retraveling—wewereattackedbythebeast.”ZeddglancedtoCara.“Thebeast.”Caranoddedconfirmation.“Thenwhat?”“Idon’tknow.”Nicciliftedherarmsinfrustrationattryingtofindthewords

to describe the experience. “We tried to fight it off. It had all these snakelikearms.Weweregrapplingwithit.ItriedtousemyHanagainstit—”“Inthesliph?”“Yes,butitwasoflittleornohelp.IwastryingeverythingIcouldthinkof.

Then, thebeast just rippedbothCaraandmeawayfromRichard.Wecouldn’tfindhiminthedarkness.Wetried,butwecouldn’tfindanything—noteveneachother.LikeIsaid,it’simpossibletotellwhereyouarewhenyou’reinthesliph.Youcan’tsee,youcan’treallyhear.It’saconfusingkindofplaceand,tryaswemight,wejustcouldn’trindRichard.”Hewaslookingmoreangrybythemoment.“Thenwhyareyouhere,instead

ofinthesliphlookingforhim?”“The sliph spit us out,” Cara said. “We found ourselves here, back at the

Keep.Nicci and Iwere each trying in our ownway to findLordRahl, but…therewasnothing.NoBeast,noLordRahl.Thenthesliphdumpedusouthere,attheplacewherewehadallbeenheadedwhenwewereattacked.”

“What are you doing up here, then?” he asked again in a menacing voice.“Whyaren’tyoubackinthesliphsearchingor,betteryet,makingthesliphtellyouwhereheis?”Nicci saw his hands fisted at his sides. She knew how he felt. She gently

graspedhisarm.“Zedd,thesliphwouldn’ttelluswhereheis.Believeme,wetried.Itmightbe

possibletogethertodoso,Ijustdon’tknow,butIthinkIknowabetterway—someonewhomightbeable to telluswhereRichard is:Jebra. Idon’twant towaste any more time, and I think Jebra might be able to provide an answersoonerthanthesliphwould.”Zeddpressedhisthinlipstightasheconsidered.“It’sworthatry,”hesaidat

last,“butyouneedtounderstandthatthewomanhasbeeninquiteastatesinceyou left. She’s been inconsolable at best and at times in the iron grip ofsomethingakin tohysteria.We’vetriedtocalmherdown,but tonoavail. I’mafraidthat,withallshe’sbeenthrough,it’sallthemoredauntingforhertohavetofacethesuddenreturnofheruniquekindofvisions.It’sobviouslydifficultforhertocometogripswithhavingthemagain,tosaynothingofthenatureofthisparticularone.“Wefinallyputhertobed,hopingthatifshegotsomerestshewouldgainher

strengthbackandbebetterabletosortouttheconfusionofhervisions.Atleastshe’snotinastatelikeQueenCyrilla;she’sfightingnottoallowherselftofallinto thatmadness.Sheisaware thatsheneeds tobeable tohelpus,butat themomentherdespair is simplyoverpoweringhercommonsense. I’msure, too,thathercompleteexhaustionisplayingaroleinherdifficulty.We’rehopingthataftersomerestshecanaddmoretowhatshe’salreadytoldus.”“Andwhat has she said?”Nicci asked, hoping the answermight provide a

clue.Zeddstudiedhereyesamoment.“Shesaidthatyouwouldcomebackwithout

Richard.”Niccistaredattheman.“Andwhathasbecomeofhim?”Zedd’sgazefellaway.“That’sthepartwe’retryingtogetoutofher.”“MyAgielhasgonedead,”Rikkasaid.“Ican’tfeelthebond.Ican’tfeelLord

Rahl.Whatifhe’sdead?”Zeddturnedalittleandliftedahand,asifurginghertocalmdown.“Let’snot

jumptoconclusions.Therecouldbeanynumberofexplanations.”Caradidnotlookatallcheeredbyhissuggestion.“Suchas?”sheasked.Zeddturnedhishazeleyestowardher,studyingtheMord-Sithforamoment

asheconsideredhisanswer.“Idon’tknow,Cara. I justdon’tknow. I’vebeen

running every possibility through my mind ever since Jebra told me that hewouldn’t return with you. There are any number of possibilities but at thismomentscantevidencetogoon.Wewillnotleaveasinglerockunturned,Icanpromiseyouthat.”Nicci swallowed back the lump rising in her throat. “Right now, our best

chance is tosee ifwecanfindout fromJebrawhereRichard is. Ifwecangetthatmuchoutofher thenwecanact. Ifwecanact, thenwehaveachance tohelphim.”“Ifhe’sstillalive,”Rikkasaid.Niccigrittedherteethassheturnedaglareonthewoman.“He’salive.”Rikkaswallowed.“Iwasjustsaying…”“Nicci is right,”Cara insisted. “This isLordRahlwe’re talkingabout.He’s

alive.”Atearrolleddownhercheek.“He’salive.”“Nonetheless,” thewizard said in a pained voice, “we have to be prepared

shouldtheworstturnouttobetrue.”WhenhesawthelookonCara’sface,heofferedasmallsmile.“Saying itout loudwillnotmake it so.What is, is. I’monlysayingthatwemustbepreparedforanyeventuality,that’sall.It’sthewisethingtodo.It’swhatRichardhimselfwoulddoifhelostoneofus,andwhathewouldwantustodoshouldanythinghappentohim.Wouldn’tyouexpecthimtofightonifsomethinghappenedtoyou?Wesimplycannotignorethethingswearefacing.Richardwouldwantustofighton,tofightforourselves.”Nicci thought,perhapsmore thaneverbefore, thatshewashearing theFirst

Wizard himself speaking. She could see where Richard got some of hisremarkableresolve.Caraglaredattheman.“You’retalkinglikehe’sdead.He’snot.”Zeddofferedherasmileandnoddedhisagreement.Hewasnotabletomake

itlookconvincing.“IneedtotalktoJebra,”Niccisaid.“Rightnowthat’sthebestplacetostart.

Whatelsehasshehadtosayabouthervision?”Zeddsighed.“Notmuch. It’sbeenyearssinceshehashadavisionand this

onewasnotonlyacompletesurprisebutapparentlyoverpoweringlyappalling.Ihave begun to fear that the reason she hasn’t had visions is because of whatRichardhadtosayaboutmagicfailing.Ifso,thenforthisonetobreakthroughher failing ability speaks volumes. While she was conscious and during theperiodswhenshe’sbeencoherent,herabilitytograsptheentiretyofhervision,theeventsinitseemedtohavebeenfragmentedandincomplete.”“Maybewecanhelphertopieceittogether,”Niccisaidasgentlyaspossible,

despite howpowerfully determined shewas tomake thewomandowhatwas

needed.Zeddobviouslydidn’t think itwasgoing todoanygood,butheapparently

wouldratherinvesthiseffortintheattemptthansurrendertotheunimaginable.“Thisway,”hesaidasheturnedinaflourishandrushedoffdownthedimly

lithall.

At a rather small, round-topped door with intricate vines and overlappingleavescarvedintothemahoganypanels,Zedd,withNicciandthetwoMord-Sithflanking him, gently knocked. While he waited for an answer, he turned toRikka.“GoandgetNathan.Tellhimit’surgent,andthathewillneedtopack.Heis

goingtohavetoleaveatonce.”NiccisuspectedwhatZeddwasgoingtoaskNathantodo,butsheforcedthe

thoughtfromhermind.Itwouldrequirehertothinkoftheunthinkable.Sheinsteadconcentratedonthetaskathand.ShehadtogetJebratotellher

where Richard was, tell her what was happening to him. If necessary, Nicciintendedtousehergifttoaccomplishthetask.AsRikka racedoff down thehall,Zedd rapped again, a little louder.When

therewasnoresponse,helookedbackoverhisshoulderatNicci.Hefidgetedwiththecuffofhissimplerobes.“Doyousenseanything…odd?”Nicciwas so filledwith frantic thoughts and emotions that she hadn’t been

paying any attention. They were in the Keep, after all. There were alarmseverywherethatshouldprotectthemfromanyunwantedvisitors.She set aside her thoughts as her senses went into a heightened state of

awareness.“Nowthatyoumentionit,somethingdoesfeel…odd.”“Oddlikewhat?”CaraaskedasshespunherAgielbackupintoherhand.She

lookedstartledforjustaninstantbeforerealizationcutoffthesurprise.Niccigentlyliftedthewizard’shandfromtheleverbeforehecouldopenthe

door.“Thereisn’tanyoneintherewithher,isthere?MaybeTom,orFriedrich?”Zeddfrownedather.“NotthatIknowof.Thosetwoareoutonpatrol.Iwas

sittingwith Jebrawhen I sensedyou andCara coming.Shewas asleep. I hadwanted to be near if she awoke and was able to tell me anymore about hervision.Ileftherandcametomeetyou,hopingtoseethatshehadbeenwrongaboutRichard.AnnandNathanhavealreadygonetobed.Isupposeit’spossiblethatitcouldbeoneofthem.”Nicci, her inner senses now fully alert, shook her head. “It’s not either of

them.Somethingelse.”Zeddstaredoffashepuzzledatthequestion,thewayonewouldlistenforany

sound,butNicciknew thathewasn’t exactly listening fora telltale sound.Hewas doing the same thing she was doing, using his gift to probe what theycouldn’t seeorhear, to try tosense thepresenceof life.As farasNiccicouldsense, though, therewere only the three of them close by: her and Zedd andCara,andmorefaintlyontheothersideofthedoor,Jebra.Buttherewassomethingelseaswell.Thefeeling,though,madenosense.It

wasapresence,butnotthekindofsensationshewouldhavewerethereanotherpersonlurkingbeyondthedoor.It did seem, though, as if shemight have had a very similar sensation just

recently.Shefrowned,tryingtoremember.“Ihaveextraalarmssetalloverthisarea,”Zeddtoldher.Niccinodded.“Iknow.Ifeltthem.”“There isn’t anyway someone could have gotten past them. Iwould know.

Bags,there’snowayevenamousecouldgetbythesnaresIset.”“CoulditbebecauseofwhatLordRahltoldus?”Caraaskedinalowvoice.

“Imean,abouttherebeingsomethingwrongwithmagic?Coulditbethatthere’ssomethingwrongwithyourgiftandthat’swhyyoufeelwhatyoufeel?”Zeddgavethewomanasourlook.“Youmeanyouthinkourgiftis…iswhat?

Scrambled?”Carashruggedandthenaddedtotheidea.“Idon’tknowmuchaboutmagic,

butmaybethat’swhat’swrongwithmyAgiel.Maybethat’sallitis.LordRahlwaspretty insistent thatheknewthatmagicwascorrupted.Maybeyourgiftedsensesarecorruptedinthatsameway.MaybetheconclusionIwasjumpingtoisallwrong.Maybethat’swhy—thecorruption.”Zeddhuffed,scoffingattheidea.Heliftedanarmtothesideandtheoillamps

onthetablesflankingthedoorwentdark.“Well,thatmuchofmypowerworks,so thatmeans itworks,”hewhispered.He laidahandbackon the leverashegaveNicciaresolutelook.“Bereadyforanything.”“Wait,”Niccisaid.Zeddlookedbackoverhisshoulder.Hisfeatureswerehardtoseeinthedim

light,buthiseyeswerenot.ShesawinthemsomeofRichard’seyes.“Whatisit?”heasked.“IjustrememberedsomethingI’vebeentryingtofigureout.”Nicci steepled her fingers as she hurriedly tried to recall the details. She

finallyshookafingerasshespoke.“Whenthebeastattackeduswhileweweretraveling,Ifeltanoddsensation.Idiscounteditbecausebeinginthesliphisso

strangetobeginwiththatit’shardtotellifanythingyou’refeelingisimportant,muchlessreallyoutoftheordinary.Everydaysensationscanseemwondrous—even miraculous. You don’t know if it’s all just the culmination of all theunfamiliarperceptionsorsomethingmore.”“Exactly when did you have this feeling?” Zedd asked, suddenly acutely

interested inwhat she had to say. “All the time youwere traveling, or at onespecifictime?”“No,likeIsaid,itwasalterthebeastattackedus.”“Bemore specific. Think.Was it when the beast attacked?Maybewhen it

grabbedRichard?Orwhenitgrabbedyou?”Nicci pressed her fingertips to her temples as she squeezed her eyes shut,

desperately trying to recall it accurately. “No… no, it was after I was pulledawayfromRichard.Notimmediatelyafter,butshortly.”“Whatwasthesequenceinwhichtheseeventstookplace?”“Thebeast attacked.Wewere fighting it. I tried tousemygiftbut it didn’t

help.Thebeastwashurtingme.Richardusedhisknifetocutawaysomeofthetentacles.Hesavedmefrombeingcrushed.“ThenthebeastpulledCaraawayfromhim.Notlongafterthatitpulledme

awayfromhimaswell.Itwasthen,afterthat—notimmediatelyafter,butitwasonlyashort timelater.IknowbecauseitwaswhenIwasfranticallysearchingforRichardthatIfelttheoddsensation.”Niccilookedupatthewizard.“Thethingis,rightafterIfeltthatsensation,I

could no longer sense the presence of the beast. I searched, trying to findRichard,butcouldn’t.AsthesliphsweptusbacktotheKeepthefeelingswiftlyfadedandIforgotallaboutit.”“Whatdiditfeellike—thissensation?”Niccigestured.“Itfeltexactlythesameaswhatisbeyondthatdoor.”Zeddstaredatherforalongmoment.“Whatisbeyondfeelsthesame?Akind

of…hummingflowofpower?”Niccinodded.“Achargeofmagicthatsomehowisbaseless.”“Magicfrequentlyseemstobefree-floating,”Carasaid.“What’ssooddabout

that?”Zeddshookhishead.“Magicisn’tsomethingthatjustfloatsaroundbyitself.

Magichasnoconsciousness,but this feeling insomewaymimics thatkindofconsciousintent.”“Yes,”Niccisaid.“That’smysenseofit.That’swhyitfeelssoodd,because

magic with this kind of bearing cannot be baseless. This is dominationgenerating its characteristic controlling fields of presence, butwithout the life

necessarytogenerateit.”Zeddstraightened.“That’saverygooddescriptionofwhatIfeel.”Hepeered

suspiciouslyatthedoor.“Ithinkthatifwegetcloserwemightbeabletosenseitbetterandfindoutwhatitis.Ifwecangetcloseenough,perhapswecananalyzeit.”Hegavethembothalook.“Let’sbecareful,shallwe?”The threeof themhuddledclose in thedimhallwayas thewizard carefully

turnedtheleverandslowlypushedopenthedoor.Niccisensednomorewiththedoorpartlyopenedthanshehadwithitclosed.Zeddstuckhisheadinsideforamoment,thenpushedthedoortherestofthewayopen.Theroomwasdark,withonly the dim light from the hall revealing shapes and shadows of what wasinside.AtthefarwallontheirleftNiccicouldseeanemptychairwithacomforter

folded neatly and draped over the back.Not too far from the doorway on thesamesideoftheroomsatashort,roundtablewithalampthatwasn’tlit.Beyondthetablethebedlayempty.Therumpledsheetshadbeenpushedoffthesideofthebedandpuddledonthefloor.NiccipeeredaroundalongwithZeddandCarabutshedidn’tseeJebra.Ifshewassomewhereelseintheroomitwastoodarktospother.Withtheoddsensationevenstrongerinsidetheroom,Nicci’sinnerperceptionwasn’tmuchhelp.ZeddsentaflickerofhisHanintothelamp.Thewickwasturnedlow,sothe

lightwasn’tstrongenoughtochasetheheavyshadowsfromthecorners,orthefarsideofthewardrobeontheothersideoftheroom.Still,therewasnosignofJebra.Nicci, detached from her emotions and focused instead on perception

governedbyherHan,steppedpastZeddtostandtenseandstillinthecenterofthe room, listening.With her gift she tried to open herself to the sensation ofanotherpresencelurkinginthedarkness,butshefeltnone.A faint breeze rustled the curtains. The double doors, made of small glass

panes,bothstoodopentoasmallbalcony.Nicciknewfromthebalconyinherownroomnearbythatthisbalconyalsooverlookedthedarkcityfarbelowatthebaseofthemountain.Atopthebalconyrailing,adarksilhouetteblottedoutthemoonlitcountryside

beyond.BehindNicci,Zeddturnedupthewickontheoillamp.Whenthelightcame

up,NiccisawthatitwasJebraoutonthatbalcony.Herbacktowardthem,shewasstandingbarefootatopthefatstonerailing.“Dearspirits,”Carawhispered,“she’sgoingtojump.”Thethreeof themstoodfrozen, fearing todoanything thatmightstartle the

womanandcauseher to jumpbefore theycould reachher.Shedidn’t seemtoknowyetthattheywerethere.“Jebra,”Zeddsaidinasoft,cautiousvoice,“we’vecometoseeyou.”IfJebraheardhim,shedidn’tshowanyreaction.Niccididn’tthinkthatJebra

heardanything,though,exceptthehauntingwhisperofmagic.Niccicouldfeelthefaintwavesofthatalienpowerrushingpasther,humming

toward the seer standing like a stone statue on the railing of the balcony. ShestaredoutoverthecityofAydindrilfarbelow.Agentlebreezeruffledhershorthair.Thebalcony,Nicciknew,whilefacingthevalleybelow,wasnotrightoutover

theedgeoftheKeep.Still,Jebrawasconfrontingadropofhundredsoffeettooneoftheinnercourtyards,walkways,ramparts,orslateroofsoftheKeep.Atthisheightitdidn’tmatterthatshewouldn’tbefallingdownthemountainwereshe to fall or jump; shewould just as surelybekilled against the stoneof theKeepfarbelow.“Stars,”Jebrasaidinalow,thinvoicetotheemptyspacebeforeher.ZeddseizedNicci’sarmandpulledherclose.Heputhismouthbyherear.“I

thinksomeoneisseekingthesameanswersweare.Ithinksomeoneisprobinghermind.That’swhatwefeel.It’sathief,athiefofthoughts.”“Jagang,”Carabreathed.Nicci knew that that would be the logical assumption. With the bond to

Richard somehow broken, Jagang could in theory do such a thing. WithoutRichardfillingtheroleoftheLordRahl,allofthemweresuddenlyvulnerabletothedreamwalker.A sickening ripple of icy dread coursed through Nicci at the memory of

Jagang possessing her mind, her will. Without the Lord Rahl, the bondprotectingthemallwasbroken.Iftheemperorwasridingthenightheverywellmight discover them unprotected. The dream walker could, at any moment,withoutwarning,driftunseen,unfelt,rightintotheirmindsandinvesthimselfintheirthoughts.But Nicci knew Jagang. She knew what it was like when he possessed a

person’smind.Hehadatonetime,afterall,possessedhermind,controlledher,ruledherthroughthatterriblepresence.Thiswasdifferent.“No,”shesaid,“it’snotJagang.WhatIsenseissomethingelse.”“Howdoyouknowforsure?”Zeddwhispered.NiccifinallytookhergazeoffofJebraandlookedatthefrowningwizard.“Well,foronething,”shewhisperedback,“ifitwasJagang,youwouldsense

nothing.Thedreamwalker leavesnotrace.There isnowayto tellhe is there.

Thisisentirelydifferent.”Zedd rubbed his clean-shaven chin. “It still seems somehow familiar,” he

murmuredtohimself.“Stars,”Jebrasaidagaintothenightbeyondthebalcony.Zeddstartedforthe

opendoorwaythroughthedoubledoors,butNicciseizedhisarmandheldhimback.“Wait,”shewhispered.“Starsfallentoground,”Jebrasaidinahauntingvoice.ZeddandNiccisharedalook.“Starsamongthegrass,”Jebrasaidinthatsamedeadvoice.Zeddstiffened.“Dearspirits.Irecognizeitnow.”Niccileanedcloser.“Thepresence?”Thewizardnoddedslowly.“That’s thefeelingofawitchwomanplyingher

power.”Jebraliftedherarmstotheside.“She’s going to jump!”Nicci shouted as Jebra began to topple forward out

intothenight.

Chapter33Richardcoughedviolently.Thepainof the involuntaryupheaval joltedhim toconsciousness.Heheard

himselftryingunsuccessfullytogroan.Hehadnobreathwithwhichtomakeagroan.Withconsciousnesscameagrowing,confusedpanicofsuffocation,asifheweresomehowdrowning.Hecoughedagain,wincinginpainashedidso.Hetriedtocryoutinagony

ashecurledupintoaballontheground,armspressedtightacrosshismiddle,tryingtopreventanotherfitofconvulsivecoughing.“Breathe.”Richard regarded the haunting voice that seemingly came from some

netherworldplaceasthevoiceofinsanity.Hewasdoingeverythinghecouldnottobreathe.Hetookcareful,shallow,thimblefulbreaths,tryingtopreventanotherrackingboutofcoughing.“Breathe.”Hedidn’tknowwherehewasandatthemomenthedidn’treallycare.Allthat

matteredwasthefeelingofsuffocating.Hedidn’twanttobreathe,despitehowdesperatelyheneededabreath.Thatsensationwassooppressive,sosickening,thatinhisminditwasnotonlycompletelydebilitating,butall-powerful.Dyingseemedpreferabletothefeelingcontinuing.Hecouldn’tendureitcontinuing.Richard didn’t want to move because, with each passing moment, it was

becomingeasiernot tobreathe. Itseemedthat ifhecould justmanage tokeepfrom breathing a little longer, then over the crest of that dark hill out theresomewhere ahead of him the pain and suffering would lift. He fought to lieperfectly still, hoping the spinning world would stop before he vomited. Hecould not imagine howmuch thatwould hurt. If he could just lie still a littlelonger, then itwouldallbecomeeasier. Ifhe could just lie still a little longer,thenitwouldallgoaway.“Breathe.”He ignored the distant, silken voice.Hismind drifted to a time in the past

when he had hurt this much. It had been when Denna had him chained andhelpless, when she had him at her mercy, when she hurt him until he wasdeliriousfrombeingtortured.Denna had taught him to endure pain, though. He envisioned her standing

there,watchinghim,waitingtoseeifwouldtipovertheedgeintodeath.Therehadbeentimeswithherwhenhehadreachedthecrestofthatdistant,darkhill,andstarteddowntheotherside.When thathappenedDennawouldbe right there toputhermouthoverhis,

forcefullybreathingher life intohim.Shehadnotonlycontrolledhis life, shehad controlled his death. She had taken everything. Not even his own deathbelongedtohim;itbelongedtoher.She watched him now. Her silver face came close, waiting to see what he

woulddo.Hewonderedifhewouldbegranteddeath,orifshewouldagainputhermouthoverhisand…“Breathe.”Richardpuzzledather.Dennadidn’tlookatalllikeasilverstatue.“Youmust

breathe,”thesilkenvoicetoldhim.“Ifyoudonot,youwilldie.”Richardblinkedatthebeautifulfacesoftlylitbythecoldmoonlight.Hetried

topullalittlemoreairintohislungs.He squeezed his eyes shut. “Hurts,” he whispered with the entirety of that

shallowbreath.“Youmust.Itislife.”Life.Richard didn’t know if hewanted life.Hewas so tired, so exhausted.

Deathseemedsoinviting.Nomorestruggle.Nomorepain.Nomoredespair.Nomoreloneliness.Nomoretears.NomoreagonyofmissingKahlan.Kahlan.“Breathe.”Ifhedied,whowouldhelpher?Hedrewadeeperbreath,forcingitpastthescaldingagonyitpulleddowninto

hislungs.HethoughtofKahlan’ssmile,insteadofthepain.Hedrewanotherbreath.Deeperyet.Asilverhandgentlyglidedoverthebackofhisshoulder,asiftocomforthim

inhisagonyofstrugglingtoholdontolife.Thefacelookedsadlysympatheticasitwatchedhisstruggle.“Breathe.”Richard nodded as he tightened his fists and gasped in the cold fire of the

nightair.Hecoughedupthinredfluidandclotsofbloodthattastedmetallic.Hepulled

inanotherbreath,givinghimthepowertocoughoutmoreoftheliquidburninghis lungs.Fora timehelayonhisside,alternatingbetweengaspinginairandcoughingoutfluid.Whenhewasbreathingagain,ifraggedly,hefloppedontohisback,hopingto

makethespinningstop.Heclosedhiseyes,butthatonlymadeitworse,addingakind of tilting, rolling movement to the spinning. His stomach roiled, on thebrinkofupheaval.Heopenedhiseyesandinthedarknessstaredupattheleavesabovehim.He

sawmostly maple leaves in the canopy of tree limbs above him. Looking atleaves—talismans of the familiar—felt good. In the moonlight, he saw otherkindsoftreesaswell.Totakehismindoffthepainandnausea,hemadehimselfidentifyall the trees thathecouldmakeout.Therewereasmatteringofheart-shapedlindenleavesand,toweringfartherabove,aboughortwoofwhatlookedtobewhitepine.Thereweresomeclustersofoak in thedistance to thesides,alongwithspruceandbalsam.Closeby,though,thereweremostlymaples.Withevery breath of breeze he could hear the distinctive, soft rattle of cottonwoodleaves.Beside the pain associated with the difficulty of breathing, Richard clearly

recognizedthattherewassomethingwrongwithinhimself.Somethingfarmorebasic,moreelemental.It wasn’t an injury, in the conventional sense, but he knew that there was

somethingdreadfullywrong.Hetriedtoidentifytheperception,buthecouldn’tpinpoint it. It was a hollow, empty, desolate feeling unrelated to the familiaremotionsof his life, things likehis need to findKahlan, orwhat hehaddonewith setting the D’Haran army loose on the Old World. He considered thetroublingthingsShotahadtoldhim,butthatwasn’tit,either.Itwasmoreasenseofadisturbingvoidwithinhimselfthatheknewhehad

never felt before. That’s why he had somuch trouble identifying it: it was acompletelyunfamiliarcondition.Therehadbeensomethingthere,somesenseofhimself, that he realized he had never thought about, never identified as adistinctelement,adiscretepartofhismakeup,thatwasnowmissing.Richardfeltasifhewasnolongerhimself.ThestoryShotahadtoldhimofBaraccusandthebookhehadwritten,Secrets

of aWarWizard’sPower, came tomind.Richardwondered if his inner voicewastryingtosuggestthatsuchabookmighthelphiminjustsuchasituation.Hehadtoadmitthattheproblemdidfeelconnectedinsomewaytohisgift.Thinkingabout thatbookcausedhismindtowander towhatShotahadtold

himabouthismother,thatshehadnotdiedaloneinthatfire.Zeddwasinsistentthathe’dlookedthroughthecharredremainsofthehouseandhehadfoundnoother bones. How could that be? Either Zedd or Shota had to be wrong. Forsomereason,hecouldnotbelievethateitherofthemwere.Somewheredeepinthebackofhismindtheanswertickedathim.Tryashe

might,though,hecouldnotcoaxitout.Richardfeltapangoflonelinessforhismother,afeelingthathadvisitedhim

fromtimetotimethroughouthislife.Hewonderedwhatshewouldhavetosayaboutall thathadhappenedtohim.She’dneverhadachancetoseehimgrow

up,toseehimasaman.She’donlyknownhimasaboy.HeknewhismotherwouldloveKahlan.Shewouldbesohappyforhim,so

proudtohaveadaughter-in-lawlikeKahlan.Shealwayswantedhimtohaveagoodlife.TherecouldbenobetterlifethanalifewithKahlan.ButhenolongerhadalifewithKahlan.Heguessedthathehadlifeand,allthingsconsidered,thatwasaboutasmuch

ascouldbeexpectedatthemoment.Atleasthecouldworktowardhisdreams.Deadmenhadnodreams.Richard lay on his back, letting the air saturate his burningmuscles, letting

himselfregainhissenses,hiscomposure.Hewassoweakhecouldhardlymove,sohedidn’ttryto.Instead,aslongashewaslyingthererecovering,hefocusedoneverythingthathadhappened,tryingtoputitallbacktogetherinhismind.Hehadbeen travelingback to theKeepwithNicciandCarawhentheyhad

beenattacked.Ithadbeenthebeast.Hehadsenseditsauraofevil.Itappearedinaformdifferentfromanyhehadeverseenbefore,butitwasthebeast’snaturetoassumedifferent forms.Theonly thinghecouldcounton tobeconsistentwasthatthebeastwouldcontinuetocomeafterhimuntilitkilledhim.Herememberedfightingit.Hishandwenttoaplaceonhislegwhereoneof

the tentacleshad squeezeduntilhe thoughthis legwouldbe strippedof flesh.Histhighwasswollenandpainfultothetouchbut,fortunately,nottornopen.Herememberedslicingthroughsomeofthecreature’sarms.HerememberedNiccitrying to use her power, and wishing that she would stop because it wassomehowconductingrightthroughthesliphsothatsomeofthepowershehadunleashedagainst thebeasthad ripped throughhim.He suspected thatwere itnot for the substance of the sliph, Nicci’s magic could have killed him. Itcertainly didn’t harm the beast—at least, not enough to slow it down. It, too,musthavebeeninsulated,atleasttosomeextent,bythesliph.He remembered Cara being pulled away from him. He remembered Nicci

likewisebeingviolentlyseparatedfromhim.Herememberedthebeasttryingtoriphimapart.Andherememberedmanagingtoabruptlybreakfree.Butthensomethinghadhappenedthathedidnotunderstand.Whilehewasseparatedfromthebeast,hehadbeenjoltedbyanunfamiliar,

painfulsensation that rippedrightdowninto thecoreofhisbeing. IthadbeendistinctlydifferentfromthepaincausedbyNicci’spower—orthatofanymagichehadeverfelt.Magic.Once he had formed the thought, he realized that hewas right; it had been

magicofsomesort.

Evenifitwasthetouchofakindofconjuringcompletelyunlikeanythinghehadever felt, he recognized that it hadbeen the touchofmagic.Even thoughhe’dbeenfreeofthebeast—hehadn’tevenknownwherethebeastwasatthatparticularmoment—thatwaswheneverythinghadsuddenlychanged.Ashe’dgaspedinpainfromtheabruptassaultofthestrangechargeofpower,

the sliph’s essence again filled his lungs. That breath had brought a shock ofpanic.Richard remembered a similar feelingwhen he had been young.He’d been

with several other boys, diving down to the bottom of a pond in a contest toretrieve pebbles. Their afternoon of swimming and diving from branchesoverhangingthesmallbutdeeppondhadchurnedupthemuddybottom.Underthemurkywater,whiledivingforpebbles,Richardlosthissenseofdirection.Hewasoutofairwhenhebumpedhisheadonathickbranch.Beingdisoriented,hethoughtthatbumpingintothelowbranchmeantthathe’dbrokenthesurfaceandrunintooneof the low-lyinglimbshangingoutover theedgeof thepond.Hehadn’t. It had been a submerged branch. Before realizing what he had reallydone,hebreathedinsomeofthemuddywater.He’dbeenclosetothesurface,totheshore,andtohisfriends.Ithadbeena

terrifyingexperience,butithadendedquicklyandhe’drecoveredsoonenough,learningalessontohavemorerespectforwater.That memory of breathing in water as a boy, in addition to the natural

unwillingnesstoinhalewater,hadmadeitallthemoredifficulttobreatheinthesliph the first time. He overcame that fear, though, and it turned out to be arapturousexperience.But in the sliph, when he suddenly found himself drowning, there was no

surface,noshore,nohelpathand.Suchathinghadneverhappenedinthesliphbefore.Therehadbeennowayforhimtoescape,nowaytogettothesurface,andnoonetohelphim.Richardlookedoverinthemoonlight.Thesliphwascloseby,watchinghim.

Herealizedthatshewasnotinawell, thewayhehadalwaysseenherbefore.Theywereonthegroundinasparselywoodedplace.Hecouldhearnosoundsbutthesoundsofnature.Hecoulddetectnothingbutforestsmells.Beneath leaves, pine needles, forest debris, and roots Richard felt a rough

stonefloor.Thegroutjointswerefat,morethanafingerwide.Thesewerenottight joints like those in finely crafted palaces, but theywerewithout a doubtman-made.Andthesilverfaceofthesliph,ratherthanlookingoutfromwithinherwell,

hadrisenslightlyfromarathersmallandirregularopeningintheancientstone

floor. Ragged pieces from that stone floor now lay about on top of the driedleaves and rubble of branches, as if they had just been broken open fromunderneath—asifthesliphhasbrokenupthroughthem.Richardsatup.“Sliph,areyouallright?”“Yes,Master.”“Doyouknowwhathappened?ItfeltlikeIwasdrowning.”“Youwere.”Richardstaredatthefaceinthemoonlight.“Buthowcanthatbe?Whatwent

wrong?”Asilverhandreachedupfromthegroundtotrailquicksilverfingersacrosshis

brow,testinghim.“Youdonothavetherequiredmagictotravel.”Richardblinked inconfusion.“Idon’tunderstand. I’ve traveledmany times

before.”“Beforeyouhadwhatwasrequired.”“AndnowIdon’t?”Thesliphwatchedhimamoment.“Nowyoudonot,”sheconfirmed.Richardfeltlikehemustbehallucinating.“ButIhavebothsidesofthegift.I

cantravel.”The sliph cautiously reached out and again felt his face. The hand slipped

downtohischest,pausingforamomenttoputlightpressureagainsthim.Herarmdrewbackintothedarkholeinthebrokenstone.“Youdonothavetherequiredmagic.”“Youalreadysaidthat.Itmakesnosense.Iwasalreadytraveling.”“Whileyouweretraveling,youlostwhatisrequired.”Richard’seyeswidened.“YoumeantosaythatIlostonesideofthegift?”“No, Imean tosay thatyoudonothave thegift.Youhavenomagicatall.

Youmaynottravel.”Richard had to run thewords through his head again to be sure he’d heard

correctly.Hedidn’tseehowhecouldhavemistakenwhatthesliphhadsaid.Hismindracedthroughfragmentsofjumbledthoughtsashetriedtograsphowsuchathingwaspossible.Aterriblerealizationcametohim.Coulditbe that thecorruptioncausedby

thechimesmightberesponsible?Hadthatcorruptionfinallycaughtupwithhimandundonehisgift?Rotted it awaywithouthisknowing ituntil ithad finallyfailed?Butthatwouldnotexplainthesensationhe’dfeltbackinthesliph,justafter

he’d escaped the grip of the beast and just before he’d started drowning—thesuddensensationofsomedarkandfurtivemagicreachingoutwhenhewasmostvulnerableandtouchinghim.Richardlookedaroundbutsawnothingotherthanthetrees.Theyweredense

enoughthathecouldn’tseebeyondtheminthemoonlight.Asaguide,hehatedthefeelingofnotknowingwherehewas.“Wherearewe,anyway?Howdidwegethere?”“Whenithappened,whenyoulostwhatisneededtotravel,Ihadtobringyou

here.”“Andwhereis‘here’?”“IamsorrybutIdon’tknow,exactly.”“Howcanyoubringmehere,andnotknowwhereyouare?Youalwaysknow

whereyouareandtheplacestowhichyoucantravel.”“I already toldyou, Ihaveneverbeen to thisplacebefore.Thisplace is an

emergencypassage.Iknewof it,ofcourse,butIhaveneverbeenherebefore.Therehasneverbeenanemergencywithinmebefore.“That terrible beast hurtme. Iwas struggling to keep all of you alive.And

then,therewassomethingelsethatcamewithinme.Icouldnotstopit.Likethebeast,itenteredmewithoutmypermission.Itviolatedme.”ThatconfirmedRichard’ssenseofevents,thatjustafterthebeastlostitsgrip

onhim,somethingelse,somekindofpower,hadreachedoutandtouchedhimwithitsdominion.“I’msorrythatyouwerehurt,sliph.Whathappenedtothebeast?”“Afterthisotherpowercameintome,thebeastbecamenomore.”“Youmeanthatthisotherpowerdestroyedit?”“No.Thepowerdidnottouchthebeast.Ittouchedonlyyouwithitsfullforce.

After it did, then you no longer hadwhat is required to travel.After that, thebeast cast around inme for abrief time, and thenvanished. I couldno longersustainyouwithinme,soIhadtofindthenearestemergencyportal.”“WhataboutNicciandCara?Weretheyhurt?Aretheysafe?”“They,too,feltthepainofwhathappenedtome,andoneofthemtriedtouse

her power inme—something that iswrong to do.After I brought you here, ItookthemtotheKeepwheretheyhadwishedtotravel.Itoldtheonethatusedherpowerthatitwasdangeroustodoso,andshemustnotdosuchathing.”“IthinkIunderstand,”Richardsaid.“Ithurtme,too.Weretheyhurtbadly?”“TheyaresafeattheKeep.”“Thenwemust be somewhere between the People’s Palace and theKeep,”

Richardsaid,halftohimself.

“No.”Helookedoverattheliquidsilverface.“Idon’tunderstand.Weweregoing

from the palace to the Keep. If you let me out, then this place here, thisemergencypassageout,wouldhavetobebetweenthepalaceandtheKeep.”“WhileIdon’tknowthisplace,Idoknowitsgeneralarea.Weareataplacea

littlemorethanhalfwayacrosstheMidlandsfromtheKeep,pastAgadenReach,almosttothewilds.”Richardfeltas if theworldhad just lurchedandslidhimfar fromwherehe

hadbeen.“But,but,that’smuch,muchfartherfromthePeople’sPalacethantheKeepis.Whydidn’tyoutakemetotheclosestplace—totheKeep?”“I do not function in that way. What to you may seem like the shortest

distancebetweentwoplacesisnottheshortestwayforme.Iaminmanyplacesatonce.”Richardleanedtowardthesliph.“Howcanyoubeinmanyplacesatonce?”“Youhaveonefootonthatdarkstone,andoneonastonethatislighter.You

areintwoplacesatonce.”Richardsighed.“IguessIgetyourpoint.”“Itravelinawaythatisdifferentfromyourwayoftraveling.Thisplace,here,

eventhoughitishalfwayacrosstheMidlandsforyou,wastheclosestplaceforme.Ihadtogetyououtintoyourworldagainsothatyoucouldbreathe.“Youno longerhadwhatwasneeded to travel.Your lungswere filledwith

me.Forthosewithoutthegift,breathingmeispoison.Itwillkillthem.Butforyou, sinceyouwere inme andbreathingme already, therewas a brief periodwhenyouweregoingthroughatransition,sohavingmeinyouwasnotinstantlyfatal.Youwouldhavedied soon,but therewasabrief timebefore thatwouldhappen.Iknewthatthetimeyouhadbeforeyouwoulddiewasnotverylongatall.Ithoughttodomybesttosaveyou,togetyoutoaplacewhereyoucouldbebackinyourworldandhopefullyrecover.“Ibroughtyouhere,broketheseal,andplacedyououtinyourworldagain.

Youwere hurt, but I knew that the essence ofme stillwithin youwould helpsustainyourlifeforashorttime.”“IfIcouldnolongertravel,becauseIdon’thavetherequiredgift,thenwhat

madeyouthinkthat?”“Iwasmadetohavepropertiestoassistinemergencies.Thosepropertiesare

withinme—andtherebytheywerewithinyou.Theyhelptostarttheprocessofrecovering. It is only intended for a crisis and even then Iwaswarned that itcouldnotbecertainthatitwouldworkbecausetherearevariablesthatcannotbecontrolled.

“Whileyousleptbetweenworlds,andmymagicthatyoustillhadwithinyouwasworking toextractwhathadnowbecomepoison toyou, I finished takingthe others to the Keep. When I returned, I waited with you until you wererecoveredenoughtobereadytobreatheagain,thenIhelpedtoremindyouwhatyoumusttodotolive.“Fora time Ididnotknow if itwouldwork. Ihaveneverhad todosucha

thingbefore.ItwasterribletohavetowaitwhileIwatchedyoulyingthere,notknowingifyouwouldeveragainbreathe.IfearedthatIhadfailedyou,andthatIwouldbethecauseofyourdeath.”Richardstaredat thesilverfacefora longmoment.Finallyheofferedhera

smile.“Thankyou,sliph.Yousavedmylife.Youdidtheright things.Youdidgood.”“Youaremymaster.Iwoulddoanythingforyou.”“Yourmaster.Amasterwhocan’ttravel.”“Itisaspuzzlingtomeasitistoyou.”Richardtriedtothinkitthrough,triedtomakesenseofit,butwiththepainof

breathing after nearly drowning in the sliph still feeling like it was pressingheavilyonhischest,hewashavingtroublemakinghismindfocusonthinking.Richard rested his forearms across his knees. “I don’t suppose there is any

wayforyoutotakemebacktotheKeep?”“Yes,Master.Ifyouwishtotravel,Icantakeyou.”Richardsatupstraighter.“Youcan?How?”“Youmustsimplyacquiretherequiredmagic,andthenIcantakeyouagain.

Thenwewilltravel.Youwillbepleased.”Acquiretherequiredmagic.Hedidn’tevenknowhowtousethemagichehad

—orused tohave.Hecouldn’t imaginewhathadhappened tohisgift, andhehadabsolutelynoideahowtogetitback.Therehadbeenanynumberoftimeshe’dwanted tobe rid if it, butnow that it hadactuallyhappenedall he couldthinkaboutwasgettingitback.When his gift had failed, the beast had apparently lost him in the sliph.As

consolationtolosinghisgift,itseemedthebeastwouldbeonelessproblemhehadtofaceatthemoment—hisgift,afterall,hadbeenthemechanismbywhichthebeastwaskeyedtohim,thewayinwhichithuntedhim.Therewassupposedtobebalanceinmagic;perhapsthatwasthebalancetolosingit.Richardrakedhisfingersbackthroughhishair.“AtleastNicciandCaramade

itthroughandaresafe.”Helookedupatthesliph.“You’resurethatthey’reallright?”“Yes,Master.Theyaresafe.ItookthemtotheKeep,wheretheyhadwished

totravel.Theyhadwhatwasrequiredtotravel.”“AndyoutoldthemwhereIwas.Youtoldthemwhathadhappened.”She looked surprised by what had sounded more like a mandate than a

question.“No,Master.IwouldneverrevealwhatIdowithanother.”“Oh,great,”hemuttered.Heworkedtokeephisexasperationincheck.“But

you’vetoldmeaboutothers.”“You aremymaster. I do thingswith you that Iwould not dowith anyone

else.”“Sliph,theyaremyfriends.They’reprobablyfranticwithworryforme.You

musttellthemwhattheyneedtoknow.”Thesilverheadtiltedtowardhim.“Master,Icannotbetrayyou.Iwouldnot.”“It’s not a betrayal. I’m telling you that it’s all right to tell them what

happened.”Thesliphlookedlikeshethoughtthiswasjustaboutthestrangestrequestshe

hadeverhad.“Master,youwishme to tellothersaboutus, aboutwhatwedowhenwearetogether?”“Sliph,trytounderstand.Youarenolongerawhore.”“Butpeopleusemefortheirpleasure.”“It’s not the same thing.” Richard raked his fingers back through his hair,

tryingnot to soundangry.“Listen,wizards inancient timeschangedyou fromwhoyouwere,fromwhatyouwere.”The sliph nodded solemnly. “I know,Master. I remember. I was the one it

happenedto,afterall.”“You’re different now. It’s not the same. You can’t equate the two things.

They’redifferent.”“Ihavebeengivenaduty toserveothers in thiscapacity.Mynature is still

withinme.”“Buttherearesomeofuswhouseyouwhogreatlyvalueyourhelp.”“IhavealwaysbeenvaluedforwhatIdo.”“Thisisdifferentfromwhatyoudidbefore.”Richarddidn’twanttobehaving

thisargument.Hehadmoreimportantmatterstoworryabout.“Sliph,whenyoutravelwithusyouareoftenhelpingtosavelives.WhenyoutraveledwithustothePeople’sPalace,youwerehelpingmetoendthewar.Youaredoingagoodthing.”“Ifyousay so.Master.Butyoumustunderstand that thosewhocreatedme

mademethewayIam.TheyusedwhatIoncewastocreatemeasIamnow.IcanbenowayotherthanthewayIam.Icannotwishmyselftobedifferent,anymorethanyoucantravelnowsimplybywishingit.”

Richardsighed.“Isupposenot.”Withonehandhesnappeddrytwigsinhalfashethoughtitover.Heshareda

long look with the beautiful face watching him, hanging on his every word.Finally,hespokesoftly.“Therearetimeswhenthereisnootherway,andyoumusttrustothers.Thisis

oneofthosetimes.”Something about his words clearly struck home. The beautiful, liquid face

camealittlecloser.“Youaretheone,”thesliphwhispered.“Theone?Whichone?”“TheoneBaraccustoldmewouldcome.”ThehaironthebackofRichard’sneckstoodonend.“YouknewBaraccus?”“Hewasoncemymaster,likeyouare,now.”“Ofcourse,”Richardwhisperedtohimself.“HewasFirstWizard.”“HeistheonewhoinsistedthatIpossesstheemergencyelementsItoldyou

about. He also directed that there be this emergency portal. Had he not donethosethings,youwouldhavedied.Hewasverywise.”“Verywise,”Richard agreed as he staredwide-eyed at the sliph. “You said

thatBaraccustoldyousomethingaboutonewhowouldcome?”Thesliphnodded.“Hewaskindtome.Hiswifehatedme,butBaraccuswas

kindtome.”“Youknewhiswife,too?”“Magda.”“Whywouldshehateyou?”“BecauseBaraccuswaskindtome.AndbecauseItookhimawayfromher.”“Youmean,youtookhimawaywhenhewishedtotravel.”“Ofcourse.WhenIwouldtellhimthathewouldbepleased,shewouldfold

herarmsandglareatme.”Richardsmiledalittle.“Shewasjealous.”“Shelovedhimanddidnotwanthimtoleaveher.WhenIwouldreturnwith

him after we traveled, she would often be there, waiting for him. He wouldalwayssmilewhenhesawher,andshewouldsmileinturn.”“AndwhatwasitthatBaraccussaidaboutme?”“Hetoldmethesamethingthatyoujustdid,thattherearetimeswhenthereis

nootherway,andyoumusttrustothers.Thosewerehiswords,justastheywereyours.Hesaidthatonedayanothermasterwouldsaythoseexactsamewords,

andthenaddexactlythesamewordsyoudid:‘Thisisoneofthosetimes.’“Hetoldmethatifamastereversaidthesewords,thatmeantthattheywere

therightoneandIwastotellthemsomethings.”Richardcouldfeeleveryhaironhisarmsstandonend.“YoutookMagdaSearussomewhere,didn’tyou?”“Yes,Master.AfterthatIneversawBaraccusagain.Butbefore,whenhetold

me that somedaysomeonewould say thosewords,he toldme to tell themhismessage.”“Heleftamessage?”Whenshenodded,herolledhishand.“Sowhatisit?”“‘Iamsorry.Idon’tknowtheanswersthatwouldsaveyou.IfIdid,please

believethatIwouldgivethemeagerly.ButIknowthegoodinyou.Ibelieveinyou.Idoknowthatyouhavewithinyouwhatyoumusttosucceed.Therewillbetimeswhenyoudoubtyourself.Donotgiveup.RememberthenthatIbelieveinyou,thatIknowyoucanaccomplishwhatyoumust.Youarearareperson.Believeinyourself.“‘KnowthatIbelieveyouaretheonewhocandoit.’“Richard sat frozen.Thewords echoedaround inhishead.Theywereoddly

familiar.“I’veheardalmostthoseexactwordsbefore.”Thesliphglidedalittlecloser,herfeaturestightening.“Youhave?”Richard concentrated as he ran thewords through hismind again, trying to

recall…And thenhedid. Itwas right afterShotahad toldhimaboutBaraccus. Just

beforesheleft,she’dsaidthoseverywordstohim.Therewassomethingaboutthosewords,spokenbyShota,thathadarousedanindistinctmemory.“ItwasShota,thewitchwoman,”Richardsaidashefrownedinrecollection.

“Shetoldmethosewords.”Thesliphretreated.“Iamsorry,Master.Youhavefailedthetest.”Richardlookedupather.“Whattest?”“ThetestBaraccusjustgaveyou.Iamsorry,butyouhavefailedhistest.Ican

tellyounothingmore.”Without furtherword, the sliph abruptly vanished into theblackhole in the

stone.Richardthrewhimselfdownonhisstomach,leaningdownintothehole.“No!

Wait!Don’tleave!”Hisownvoiceechoedupoutoftheempty,blackshaft.Thesliphwasgone.Withouthisgift,hehadnowaytocallherback.

Chapter34Nicciheardasoftknockatthedoor.Zeddlookedupbuthedidn’tstand.Cara,

hands clasped behind her back, gazing out thewindow, looked back over hershoulder.Nicci,standingclosesttothedoor,pulleditopen.Thesmallflameinthelamponthetablewasnotuptothetaskofchasingthegloomfromtheroom,butitcastwhatwarmlightitcouldacrossthefaceofthetallprophet.“What’sgoingon?”Nathanaskedinhisdeepvoice.Hecastasuspiciouslook

aroundatthoseintheroom.“Rikkawouldn’tsaymuchotherthanthatyouandCarawerebackandZeddwantedtoseemeimmediately.”“That’sright,”Zeddsaid.“Comein,please.”Nathanglancedaroundthesomberroomashestrodein.“Where’sRichard.”Nicciswallowed.“Hedidn’tmakeitbackwithus.”“Didn’tmake itback?”Hepaused to take in thebleak lookonNicci’s face.

“Dearspirits…”Zedd,sittingatJebra’ssideatthebed,didn’tlookup.Jebrawasunconscious.

When they tried toclosehereyesher lidswouldpopopenagain.Theyfinallyquittryingandletherstareupattheceiling.Zedd had already tended to her broken leg as best he could. Shewas very

fortunatethatCarawasnotonlyquickbutstrong,andthatshehadbeenabletocatchJebra’sanklejustintimeasherdeadweighthadtoppledoutwardfromthebalcony.Still,hermomentumhadwhippedtheseerdownaroundandunderthebalcony, where her leg smacked a support strut that broke her leg. Niccisuspectedthatthewomanhadbeenunconsciousthemomentshestartedfalling.Ithadbeenabadbreak.Zeddhadsettoworkimmediatelyonherinjury,but

becauseoftheunusualstateJebrawasinhehadnotbeenabletohealthebreak.Allhehadbeenabletodowassetit,splintit,andaddenoughofhisgifttohelpitbegintomend.Whenshefinallyawokehewouldbeabletofinishthehealing.Ifsheawoke.Niccihadherdoubts.Nicci knew that Jebra’s broken legwas the least of thewoman’s problems.

Despiteeverythingtheyhadtried,theyhadbeenunabletoarouseherfromhercatatonic state. Zedd had tried.Nicci had tried. She had even tried dangerousconjuring involving Subtractive Magic. Zedd had been against it at first, butwhenNicciconfrontedhimwiththestarknatureoftheirchoiceshegrudginglyagreed.Unfortunately, even that hadn’t helped. Jebra’smindwas locked away from

them.Whatevermagic thewitchwomanhadusedonherwas something theywere unable to break. Whatever had been done didn’t appear to Nicci to beintended to be reversible. If they knew its nature perhaps theymight stand a

chanceofbreakingthespell,buttheydidn’tknowitsmakeup.Nathanbentandtouchedtwofingerstotheunconsciouswoman’stemple.He

straightenedandhelplesslyshookhisheadatZedd’squestioningexpression.Nicci had never seen anything like it. Zedd, on the other hand, had in the

beginning rubbed his chin as he brooded. He’d muttered that there wassomethingoddly familiar about itsnature.What,hecouldn’t say.DespitehowinsistentNiccihadbeen,anddespitehisowndesperatedesiretodosomething,Zeddwasathiswits’endthathecouldnotpinpointwhyhefeltthathehadseensomeaspectofsuchconjuringbefore.Hewas,afterall,hehadremindedthem,theFirstWizard,andhehadspenta

goodportionofhislifestudyingsuchthings.Hebelievedthatheshouldbeabletoidentifywhatkindofwebhadbeenspunaroundthewoman.NicciknewthatifJebrahadbeenconsciousitwouldhavemadethejobagreatdealeasier,butZeddwasn’twilling to use an excuse for his own failure to identifywhat theconjuringinvolved.Nicci heard a commotionout in the hallway.Nathan stuckhis headout the

doorwayforalook.“What is it?” a voice in thedistance calledout. ItwasAnn, rushingup the

hall,escortedbyRikka.Shefinallyreachedthedoor.“What’sgoingon?”As she came into the room, laboring to catch her breath,Nathan laid a big

handonhershoulder.“SomethinghashappenedtoRichard.”Strandsofgrayhairstuckoutfromtheloosebunatthebackofherheadlikea

plume of ruffled feathers.Her calculating gaze swept over those in the room,assessingthedegreeofseriousnessshesawineachofthem.Itwasthekindofswift,leanevaluationNicciassociatedwithAnn.AsthePrelateoftheSistersoftheLight,shehadalwayshadacommanding

presencethatcouldstrikefear intojustaboutanyone,fromhigh-rankingSistertostableboys.EventhoughNicciwasnolongeraSisteroftheLight,herguardalwayswentupwhenevertheformerprelatecameintotheroom.Thewoman’sshort stature in noway diminished the air of loomingmenace that seemed tosurroundher.AnnturnedanintentlookupatNathan.“Whathappened?Istheboyhurt—”“I don’t know, yet,”Nathan said, holding up a hand to forestall a flood of

questionsbeforetheycouldlandslideinonhim.“Letthewomanexplain.”“Allweknowforsure,”NiccisaidwhenAnn turnedahotglareonher,“is

thatwhileweweretravelinginthesliphbackherefromthePeople’sPalace,thebeast attacked us. Cara and I tried to help Richard fight it off, thenwewereseparated from him. As soon as that happened I felt some kind of extrinsic

magic.Nextthingweknew,CaraandIwerebackattheKeep.Richardwasn’twith us.We have no ideawhat happened to him after hewas touched by thestrangepowerIsensed.Weneversawthebeastagain,either.“Afterwegotbackhere,JebrawasattackedbyawebthatIcoulddiscernhad

been cast by the samepersonwho cast thepower that touchedRichard in thesliph. Because Zedd recognized its unique composition, we know now that itwaspowerconjuredbyawitchwoman.”“AndmyAgieldoesn’twork,”Carasaid,holdingtheweaponup.“Ourbond

toLordRahlisbroken.Wecannolongersensehim.”“DearCreator,”Annwhisperedashergazedroppedaway.Zeddgesturedtothewomanlyinginthebedbeforehim.“Whateverpowerit

is that this witch woman cast, it left Jebra unconscious. We can’t rouse her.Although I know that itwas awitchwoman’s spell that somehow took her, Ican’tfigureouthowawitchwomancoulddosuchathing—castsuchwebsfromafar.Frommyexperiencetheynotonlykeeptothemselvesbutcan’taccomplishthingsofthisnature.It’sbeyondtheirability.”“Areyouarecertainthatitwasawitchwoman?”Annasked.Zedd took a deep breath as he considered the question seriously. “I’ve had

dealingswithawitchwomanbefore.Onceacathashad itsclaws inyou,youdon’t soon forgetwhat it feels like. I don’t know the specific personwho didthis,butIknowthefeelofthis.Itwasawitchwoman.”Nicci folded her arms. “I think we have a pretty good idea who the witch

womanwas:Six.Anddon’tforget,justbecauseyourecognizethesignatureofawitchwoman’spower,thatdoesn’tmeanthatthesamelimitsnecessarilyapplytotheindividualwhodidthis.Afterall,forsomeonetorecognizeyourpowerasthatofawizarddoesn’tmean that theyknowyour limitsorwouldknowyourrealpotential.”“Trueenough,”Zeddadmittedwithasigh.Nathan waved off the topic of witch women. “Did Jebra say anything else

aboutthevisionshehad?Anythingatall?”ZeddsharedalookwithNicci.“Well,notuntilthisspelltookher.Justbefore

shewent into this state,weheardher say, ‘Stars.Stars fallen to ground.Starsamongthegrass.’““Stars…”Nathanrepeatedashepaced in thesmall room,holdinganelbow

with one hand and tapping the tips of the fingers of the other to his chin.Hefinally turned towardZedd.“I’mafraid thatsuchaprophecymeansnothing tome. It’s probable that she only spoke a fragment aloud. In that case, it couldeasilybethatthereisn’tenoughformetogoon.”

Nicci’s heart sank. She had been hoping that the prophet would be able todeciphertheseer’sprophecy.Ann scratched the side of her nose, searching forwords. “So it is possible,

then,thatwe…”Sheclearedherthroat.“…thatwehavelostRichard.Thatthiswitchwomankilledhim.”Caratookanaggressivestepforward.“LordRahlisnotdead!”In the echoing silence,Zedd rose from the chair.He castCara a cautionary

glancebeforeaddressingAnn.“Idon’tthinkso,either.”AnnlookedfromCara’sheatedexpressiontoZedd.“Iknowwhyshedoesn’t

believeitisso.Whydon’tyou?”HegestureddownatJebra.“Becauseofthiswomanlyinghereinthisbed.”Annfrowned.“Whatdoyoumean?”“Well,thefirstvisionJebrahashadinseveralyearsisaboutRichard.”“That’sright,”Nicciputin.“Hervisionwasaboutwhatwasgoingtohappen

tohim.Shetoldme—specifically—nottolethimbealone,notforaninstant.”Annarchedaneyebrow.“Andyetyoudid.”Nicciignoredtheaffront.“Yes.Notdeliberately,butbecauseofthebeast.The

beastwasanunforeseeablefactor,arandomevent.”WhenAnnonlylookedmoreperplexed,Zeddexplained.“Webelievethat it

was this witchwoman’s plan to touch Richardwith her power. But the beastdropped in at just the wrong moment, spoiling up her carefully constructedplan.”Ann’sfrowndeepened.“Inwhatway?”“The beast caused her to miss getting Richard, as she had planned,” Nicci

said.“Becauseofthebeast,shelostRichardinthesliph,justaswedid.Nowshehasaproblem.Shehastofindhim.”“Soshedidthesamethingwedid,”Zeddsaid.“Shecamehere,oratleastshe

sentherpowerhere,tofindoutfromtheseerwherehewillbe.”“She was seeking prophecy?” Ann asked. “Witch women see things in the

flowoftime.Whywouldsheneedtheseer?”Zedd spread his hands. “Yes, they see things but, as I’m sure Nathan can

explainbetter thanIcould, theycan’tseeexactlywhat theywant tosee,whentheywanttoseeit.”Nathanwasnoddinghisagreement.“Thereisarandomelementtoprophecy.

Itcomeswhenitcomes,notwhenyouwishittocome.Perhapsthewizardsofancienttimesknewthekeystousingprophecyatwill,butiftheydid,theydidnot pass such knowledge on. It is seldom that you can pick and choose withprophecywhateventsyouwanttosee.”

Zeddliftedafinger,stressinghispoint.“Sixprobablysaw,eitherthroughherabilityorherconjuringhavingtodowiththeevents,thatJebrahadalreadyhadavisionrevealingwhatwouldhappentoRichardandwherehewouldbenext,soshesimplystoleintoJebra’smindtostealtheanswer.”“I think that’swhywecan’twakeJebra,”Niccisaid.“Idon’t think thatSix

wantsanyoneelsetobeabletogettheinformationthatshealreadygot.WhileJebraspokeonlyafewwordsaloud,IwouldbetthatSixextractedallofit—theentire vision—from Jebra’s mind. I believe that Six then compelled Jebra tojumpfrom thatbalcony tokillherself so that shecouldn’t revealhervision toanyoneelse.Failingthat,thespellrenderedJebraunconscious—likesuicide,it’sawholeloteasierthankillingfromafar,andjustasgoodforherpurpose.”Nathan’sbrowhaddrawndownashelistened.Herolledahandasifturning

over the event in his mind. “So you think that in her prophecy, Jebra wasrevealingthatRichardisgoingtofindstarsthathavefallentotheground?Thathewillbeataplacewithstarsamongthegrass?Likeaplacewheremeteoritesarefound?”Zedd clasped his hands behind his back and nodded. “It rather seems that

way.”Nathanstaredoffasheconsidered,noddingtohimselffromtimetotime.Ann

didn’tlooksoconvinced.“SoyouthinkthatRichardisalive,”sheasked,“andthatthiswitchwoman,

Six,somehowspelledhim?”Niccigavetheformerprelateasingle,firmnod.“That’stheconclusionZedd

andIhavereached.”Ann leaned closer to her former charge. “For what purpose? I can fathom

reasonsforSixmurderingRichard,butwhywouldshewanttogetherhandsonhim?”Nicci didn’t shy from the woman’s steady gaze. “Six usurped the witch

woman who lived up here—Shota. Why? Well, what did Six take? Shota’scompanion,Samuel,”shesaidinanswertoherownquestion.“AndSamuelhastheSwordofTruth,theswordheoncecarried.”Annlookedlikeshehadjustlostthethreadofthestory.“Whatdoesthathave

todowithanything?”“WhatdidSamuelusetheswordfor?Whatdidhesteal?”Nicciasked:Ann’seyeswentwide.“OneoftheboxesofOrden.”“FromaSisteroftheDark,”Niccisaid,“withthehelpoftheSwordofTruth.”AnnturnedaflusteredlookonZedd.“Butwhywouldthiswoman,Six,want

Richard?”

Zedd’sgaze sank to the floorashe rubbed the tipsofhis fingersacross thefurrowsofhisbrow.“ToopenthecorrectboxofOrden,onehastohaveaveryimportantbook.Ithinkyoutwo,ofallpeople,shouldbequitefamiliarwiththatparticularvolume.”Nathan’sjawfellopenwithrealization.“TheBookofCountedShadows,”Annbreathed.Zeddnodded.“TheonlycopyofthatbooknowresidesinRichard’shead.He

burnedtheoriginalafterhehadmemorizedit.”“Wehavetofindhimfirst,”Annsaid.Zeddgruntedderisivelyat theverysuggestion, liftinghiseyebrowsinmock

wonder,asifhecouldneverhavedivinedsuchanideawithoutherhelp.“Wehaveamoreimmediateproblem,”Niccisaid.Cara, across the small room,waggled herAgiel. “Untilwe findLordRahl,

thereisnobond.”“Withoutthebond,”Niccisaid,“weareallatthemercyofthedreamwalker.”TherealizationseemedtohitAnnlikeaclapofthunder.“Somethingmustbedoneimmediately,”Zeddadded.“Thethreatisdireand

thereislittletime.Ifwedon’tact,wecouldlosethiswaratanymoment.”“Whatareyougettingat?”Nathanasked,suspiciously.Zedd lookedupat thescowlingprophet.“Weneedyou tobecome theLord

Rahl.Wedarenotriskourpeoplebeingwithoutthebondforanothermoment.YoumustthenleaveatonceforthePeople’sPalace.”Nathanstoodsilently,lookinggrim.Hewasatallman,withbroadshoulders.

Withhiswhitehairbrushingthoseshouldershecutanimposingfigure.ItmadeNiccisickathearttothinkofanyoneelsetakingRichard’splaceasLordRahl.Thealternative,though,wastoallowthedreamwalkertoravagetheirminds.

Sheknewalltoowellwhatthatwaslike.SheknewhowherbondtoRichardhadnotmerelysavedherlife,butshownherthejoyofliving.HerbondtoRichardhadn’tbeentheformalacquiescencetotheruleoftheLordRahl,asitwaswiththepeopleofD’Hara; rather, ithadbeenadeepercommitment toRichard, theman. Theman she had loved from almost the first moment she had seen thesparkoflifeinhisgrayeyes.Richardhadshownhernotjusthowtoliveagain,buthowtolove.Sheswallowedbackthepainofit,ofknowingthatshecouldneverhavehim

—worse, of knowing that his heart belonged to another, belonged to someoneshe didn’t even remember. It would be better if Nicci could remember thisKahlan,knowthat shewassmart, loving,beautiful,because thenshecouldbehappyforRichard.Itwashardtobehappyforhimwhenhelovedaphantom.

“Iunderstand,”Nathansaidatlastinadeepvoice.Ann looked like she had close to a thousand objections, one tomatch each

yearoftheprophet’sage,butshemanagedtobottlethemupunderthecorkofherrealizationoftheconsequencesofnothavingaLordRahl.“TheD’Haranarmyisnotfarfromthepalace,”Nathansaid.“Theywillsoon

havetofaceJagang’shorde.Ithinkyou’rerightthatIwouldbesthelpourcauseifIwerethere.”Niccihadn’ttoldanyofthemyet.Sheclearedherthroattomakesurethather

voicewould not fail her. “Richard spoke to the army. That’swhy hewent toD’Hara.Hetold themthat theycouldnotfight theImperialOrderandhopetowin.”Ann’sfacewentcrimson.“Sowhatdoesheexpectthemtodo!Ifnotfightthe

armyoftheOrder,then…what?”“LaywastetotheOldWorld,”Niccisaidwithgrimresolve.Zedd,Nathan,andAnnstaredsilentlyather.“Hetoldthemtodowhat?”Zeddaskedincredulously.“It’s theonlyway,”Nicci said. “Wehavenohopeofdestroying their army.

RichardintendstheD’Haranarmytoinsteaddestroytheirwilltofight.It’stheonlychancewehave.”“Dearspirits,”Zeddwhisperedasheturnedaway.Hewenttothewindowand

stoodstaringoutintothenight.Hefinallyturnedback,hiseyesbrimmingwithtears.“Ihavebeeninhisposition.Ihavehadtodirectoursidetodothingsthathad

to be done.”He shookhis head again. “The poor boy. I’m afraid he’s right. Ishouldhaveseenitmyself.IguessIdidn’twantto.Sometimes,ittakeslonelycouragetodowhatmustbedone.”Cara stepped forward andwent to one knee beforeNathan. She bowed her

head.“MasterRahlguideus.MasterRahlteachus.MasterRahlprotectus.Inyour

lightwethrive.Inyourmercywearesheltered.Inyourwisdomwearehumbled.Weliveonlytoserve.Ourlivesareyours.”Zedd dropped to one knee, as did Rikka. Nicci did the same. Finally,

reluctantly,Annfollowed.“MasterRahlguideus,”theyallsaidinunison.“MasterRahlteachus.Master

Rahlprotectus.Inyourlightwethrive.Inyourmercywearesheltered.Inyourwisdomwearehumbled.Weliveonlytoserve.Ourlivesareyours.”Nathanstoodtallandsilent,handsclasped,lookingdownatthebowedheads,

looking verymuch like the Lord Rahl.When they had finished the devotion,

theyallstood,somewhatdisquietedby theunspokensignificanceofwhat theyhadjustdone,ofwhatitmeant,thatRichardwasnolongertheLordRahl.“It isdone,”Cara said.She tested the feelofher slender redweapon inher

fingers,gazingatitwithliquidblueeyes.“MyAgielisaliveagain.”Shesmiledinadistant,sadway.“Thelinkof thebondiswholeoncemore.AllD’HaranswillrecognizeitandknowthatweagainhaveaLordRahl.”Nathanletoutadeepbreath.“Atleastwehavethatonourside.”“Nathan,”Zeddsaidtotheprophet,“youmustget toD’Haraatonce.There

are Imperial Order troops at the larger passes east of here into D’Hara, stilltryingtofindawayinthebackdoor.Iwillshowyousomewaysaroundthem.“ItwouldbebesttohaveaLordRahl,theguardianofthebond,standingwith

thosenowstandingaloneatthepalace.”“What about Jagang’s army?” Ann asked, looking concerned after Nathan

noddedhisagreement.“WhatdoyouthinkJagangwilldooncehediscoversthatthe D’Haran army has evaporated right before he could close his fist aroundthem?”Zeddshrugged.“HewilllaysiegetothePeople’sPalace.Vernaandsomeof

herSisterswillbetheretohelpdefendtheplace,butthePeople’sPalaceisbuiltin the form of a spell that amplifies the power of aRahl and suppresses it inothers. Verna and the Sisters will not be able to wield the full force of theirability.RightnowNathanistheonlyRahlwehavetohelpdefendthepalaceanditspeople.”“That’swhyweneedNathantoleaveatonceforthepalace,”Niccisaid.“Tonight,”Zeddadded.Nathan’sgazemovedfromZedd’seyestoNicci’s.“Iunderstand.Iwilldomy

best.LetushopethatRichardwillonedaybeabletotakehisplacebackfromme.”At thatmoment, hiswords lifted at least a little of theweight fromNicci’s

heart.“Wewillbeworkingonthat,”Zeddassuredhim.“Youcancountonit,”Niccisaid.CarapointedherAgielattheprophet.“Andyouhadbetternotgetanycrazy

notioninyourheadthatyouwillbekeepingthepost.ItbelongstoLordRahl.”Nathanarchedaneyebrow.“IamtheLordRahl,now.”Caramadeasourface.“YouknowwhatImean.”Nathansmiledaslowsmile.Ann jabbedNathan in the ribswith a finger. “Anddon’t youget anygrand

ideas,LordRahl.I’mgoingwithyoutomakesureyoustayoutoftrouble.”

Nathanshrugged.“Iguess that theLordRahlcoulduseanattendant.You’lldo.”

Chapter35Afterlyingontheancient,coldstonefloorinthedepthsofalonelyforestfor

what seemed like an eternity, staring down into the black abyss, not knowingwhatelsetodo,Richardfinallysatbackup.Hehadcalledtothesliphuntilhewasnearlyhoarse,buttherewasnoanswer.Thesliphwasgone.Richardputhiselbowsonhisknees.Ashisheadsank,heclaspedhishands

behindhis neck.He felt like he had lost hisway anddidn’t knowwhat to donext.Howmanytimes,sincehe’dlefthisHartlandwoods,hadhefeltjustthisway, hadhe thought that hewas at the endof his rope?He’d always found away.Hedidn’tknowif,thistime,hecould.Ashewasgrowingup,Richardhadneverknownthathehadbeenbornwith

thegift.He’dneverknownanythingatallaboutmagic.Oncehediscoveredthathe’dbeenbornwiththegift,hedidn’twantit.Hewantedonlytoberidofit,asif it was a sickness that had been passed down to him.He just wanted to behimself. But he had finally come to accept the value of his abilities andunderstand that theywere part ofwho hewas. They had onmany occasions,afterall,helpedhimsavenotonlyhisown life,butKahlan’sandmanyothersalongtheway.Hisgiftwasapartofhim,somethingthatcouldn’tbeseparatedfromhimanymorethanhisheartorlungscouldbetakenaway.Now,though,he’dsomehowlostthegift.Atfirst,whenthesliphhadtoldhimthathenolongerhadthemagicrequired

totravel,he’dhadahardtimebelievingthatsuchathingwaspossible,thathisgift could really be gone. He’d thought it must be amagicalmalfunction, ananomalyofsomesort.Backwhenhe’dwantedtoberidofit,hehadinquiredastohowhecould shedhisgift andhad learned that sucha thingsimplywasn’tpossible.While it didn’t seemconceivable tohim,Richardknew that itwas true.He

knewbecausealongwithhisgift,hehadlosthisabilitytorememberTheBookofCountedShadows.Hemightaswellhavenevermemorizedit,because,alongwithhisgift,thatmemorywassuddenlylost.The Book of Counted Shadows had been a book of magic. The gift was

requiredtobeabletoreadit,andrequiredtorememberevensomuchasasinglewordofthetext.Withoutthegift,Richardcouldn’treadbooksofmagicor,moreaccurately, recall thewords longenough toknowthat therehadbeenanythingtheretoread.Withoutthegift,booksofmagicappearedblank.NowhismemoryofTheBookofCountedShadowshadgonedark.Andnowhehadfailedatesthehadn’tevenknownhewastaking.Hewasn’t

evenatallclearastowhatthetesthadbeen.Somehow,though,hehadfailedit.

HefeltasifhehadfailedKahlan.Hecouldn’timaginehowthosewordscouldhavebeenatestfromBaraccus.

Howcouldtheypossiblytesthim?Testhimatwhat?Hedidn’tknowwhattestthe sliph could be talking about, so he had noway to figure out how he hadfailedit.He wished he had Zedd to help him figure it out, or Nicci, or Nathan—

someone,anyone.Hestoppedandaskedhimselfhowmanytimesthatnighthehadwishedforanswers, forhelp, forsalvation tocomesavehim.Noneof thewisheshadbeenanswered.Wishes,heknew,neverwere.He reminded himself that he was wasting valuable time feeling sorry for

himself.Hehad to think,notsitaroundhoping thatsomeoneelsewouldcomealongandthinkforhim.He lay back on the stone and stared up at the canopy of limbs and leaves

above and, beyond them, the stars.He smiled,mocking himself, thinking thatmaybeafallingstarwouldanswerhiswishes.Hepushedasidethethoughtsofwishesandputhismindtothetaskathand.He’drunthewholethingthroughhismindahundredtimesanditstillmade

nosense.Baraccussaid, throughthemessage leftwith thesliph, thathedidn’thave the answers that would save Richard. Baraccus believed, though, thatRichardhadwithinhimwhatwasneededtosucceed.BaraccustoldRichardtobelieve in himself, and wanted him to know that he believed in Richard,althoughhehadn’tusedRichard’sname,specifically.Themessage,Richard reasoned, had beenmeant for the onewhowould be

born with the Subtractive side of the gift that Baraccus had seen to it wasreleasedfromtheTempleoftheWinds,butBaraccusdidn’tknowthatperson’sname, didn’t know, specifically, who that person would be. At least, Richarddidn’t think he did. It made more sense that Baraccus simply spoke directly,personally,without using names. Themessage had been clear enoughwithouthavingtousethenameofthepersonwhowouldeventuallyhearit.Thatgaveitthesoundofadirectaddress.Howcouldthatbeatest?HowcouldRichardfailit?Hesighedinfrustrationashepulledalongstalkofgrassgrowingfromoneof

themissingmortarjointsofftotheside.Asheconsideredtheissue,heflattenedthesoftbaseofthestalkofgrasswithhisfrontteeth.CoulditbethatthesliphsomehowhadbeengivensomepowerbyBaraccus,

like the power he’d given her to act in an emergency, so that she could seewhetherornotRichardhadwhatittooktosucceed?CoulditbethatthisinsightgiventhesliphtoldherthatRichardfellshortinsomeway?

Thesource.Ashestaredupatthestars,Richardmulledthatoverinhismind.He’dtoldthesliphthathehadheardthosewordsbeforefromShotaandthen,allofasudden,thesliphhadbeendonewithhim.CouldthesliphknowShota?Maybe,inBaraccus’sview,Richardshouldnot

be associating with a witch woman. Maybe that was the reason Richard hadfailed—becausehehadn’tbeendoingthingsonhisown,byhimself.Hemadeaface.HehaddifficultyimaginingthatBaraccuswouldn’twanthimtoworkwithpeople,tofindanswers,tosolveproblems.Heranoverthewordsinhismind,asbestashecouldrecallthem,anyway.I am sorry. I don’t know the answers that would save you. If I did, please

believethatIwouldgivethemeagerly.ButIknowthegoodinyou.Ibelieveinyou.Idoknowthatyouhavewithinyouwhatyoumusttosucceed.Therewillbetimeswhenyoudoubtyourself.Donotgiveup.RememberthenthatIbelieveinyou, that I know you can accomplish what you must. You are a rare person.Believeinyourself.KnowthatIbelieveyouaretheonewhocandoit.Thatwaswhat the sliph had saidwas themessage fromBaraccus. Richard

recalled,though,thatthosehadbeenthesamewordsShotahadtoldhimnotverylongago,thelasttimehehadseenher,justbeforesheleft.Richarddidn’treallybelieveincoincidence.Inthiscase,hecertainlydidn’t.

ShotacouldnothavesaidbychancethesamewordsthatBaraccushadtoldthesliphtosay.Themessagewastoolongandtoodetailed,withcharacteristicsthatwerefartooidiosyncratic.Ifthatwasthecase,thatithadnotbeencoincidence,andRichardwassureit

wasn’t, thenwhywould Shota have used the exact samewords thatBaraccushad?Was it amessage of some kind?Was she trying to tell him something?Warnhimaboutsomething?If thewitchwomanhadwanted tohelphim, thenwhydidn’t shewarnhim

about the test, and tellhim? If shecouldnot tellhim theanswer, shecouldatleasthavetoldhimwhatthetestwouldbe.Zeddhadoftensaid,though,thatawitch woman never told you what you wanted to know without telling yousomethingyoudidn’t.Couldthatbeit?Hedoubtedit,sinceshehadtoldhimagreatmany terrible things that day—things, it turnedout, that hadhelpedhimfinallygraspwhathehadtodowiththearmy,ratherthanallowingthemtofightJaganginafinalbattle.Thethingthatwasitchingathim,though,wasthattherewerephrasesinthe

message that were unique: answers that would save you; give them eagerly;knowthegoodinyou;youhavewithinyouwhatyoumusttosucceed;knowthat

Ibelieveyouaretheone.Thosewereallslightlyuncommonpatternsinthewaypeoplespoke.Theywerenotdrasticallydifferent,buttheywereabiteccentric,almostchildlike,andyet rather formal inasimplisticway.Richardsighed.Hecouldn’t seem to put his finger on it, but there was something distinctlyunconventionalintheuseoflanguagewithinthatmessage.Withanicyshockofrealization,heremembered.He remembered why those words had sounded unsettlingly familiar when

Shotahadsaidthem.Itwasbecausehehadheardthoseexactwordsbefore.Those were the exact words that had been spoken by the night wisp the

eveningofthefirstdayRichardhadmetKahlan.Theyhadbeeninthewaywardpine.Kahlanaskedifhewasafraidofmagic

andthen,afterapprovingofhisanswer,shebroughtoutalittlestripedbottlethatheldthewisp.Thenightwisp,Shar,hadguidedKahlanacrosstheboundary,butbythenitwasdying.Thewispwasunabletoliveawayfromitshomeplaceandthoseofitskind.Itdidn’thaveenoughstrengthtocrosstheboundaryagain.RichardrememberedKahlansaying,“Sharhassacrificedherlifetohelpme

becauseifDarkenRahlsucceeds,allherkind,amongothers,willperish.”Thewisp had been the onewho toldRichard for the first time thatDarken

Rahlwasafterhim.SharhadwarnedthatifRichardranhewouldbecaughtandkilled.Richardhad thanked thewispforhelpingKahlan.He toldShar thathislife had beenmade longer because she had saved him from doing somethingfoolish that day. He told Shar that his life was better for knowing her, andthankedthewispforhelpingbringhersafelythroughtheboundary.Sharhadthentoldhimthatshebelievedinhim,andtherestofit,exactlyas

Baraccus had related through the sliph. At the time he had thought that theslightly odd speech characteristics were simply idiosyncratic of wisps—andperhapstheyreallywere,butBaraccushadusedthoseexactwordsforareason.Shota had used the same words, too—either deliberately or in innocent

unawarenessoftheirsource—nodoubtinordertohelphimbyremindinghimofthosewords fromShar. She probably didn’t realize the real reason for sayingthoseexactwords,butthroughherabilitytheywereintendedtomakehimthink.To make him remember. It was probably only because of the terrible visionRichard had had ofKahlanwitnessing his execution that he hadn’t connectedShota’swordswiththesamewordshe’dheardyearsbeforefromthenightwisp.Thatvisionhadsimplyoverpoweredeverythingelse.Richard listened to thenight soundsoff in thewoods, of bugs chirping, the

leavesrustlinginthewind,andadistantmockingbird,asanothermemorybeganseepingbackintohisconsciousness.

Shar,thewisp,hadusedhisnamewithoutbeingintroduced.HesupposedthatthewispcouldsimplyhaveoverhearditwhileinthelittlebottleinthepouchatKahlan’sbelt.Orshemighthavealreadyknownhisname.Richard’s eyes were opened as wide as they would go as he recalled

somethingelse.HehadaskedthewispwhyDarkenRahlwastryingtokillhim,ifitwasbecausehehelpedKahlanoriftherewasanotherreason.Sharhadcomecloseandasked,“Otherreason?Secrets?”Secrets.Richard jumped to his feet and cried out aloud with the shock of

understanding.He pressed his wrists to the sides of his head, unable to suppress another

shout.“Iunderstand!Dearspirits,Iunderstand!”Secrets.Richard had thought at the time that the wisp knew about the tooth that

Richardkepthiddenunderhisshirt,butthatwasn’titatall.Ithadnothingtodowith that tooth. Shar was asking him something entirely different. She wasofferinghimhisfirstchanceatrecoveringthesecretbookBaraccushadleftforhim.Butithadbeentoosoon.Richardhadn’tyetbeenready.Richardhad failedBaraccus’s testback then, too.Failed it for the first time

thatnightwiththewisp.Baraccus,though,probablyhadnowaytoknowwhenRichardwouldbe ready.Hehad tohaveaway to testhim from time to time.Shotahadsaid that justbecauseBaraccushadseen to it thatRichardhadbeenbornwiththeability,thatdidn’tmeanhewoulddotherightthings.Baraccus hadn’t taken his free will—and so, from time to time, Baraccus

neededtotesttheonebornwiththatabilitytoseeifhehadlearnedtouseittoaccomplishthosethingsalongthewaythatneededtobeaccomplished.RichardwonderedhowmanyotherthingsputinhispathhadbeenthedoingofBaraccus.Atthemoment,hehadnowaytoknowtheanswertothatquestion.Hedidknowthatwhenthesliphsaidhefailedthetest, thatwasat least the

secondtimehehadfailedit.Thesliph’stestwasareservetest,arepeattest,forafterRichardhadlearnedmore.Afterhe’dhadachancetoknowwhohereallywas.Secrets.Richard felt as ifhisheadmightexplodewith thepowerofcomprehension.

Everyemotionhehadeverhadseemedtocollide together, twistinghis insides

withtheexcitementandanxietyofitall.He threwhimselfdownon thestonefloor,handsgripping theedgeuntilhis

knuckleswerewhite.“Sliph!Comeback!IknowwhatBaraccusmeant!Iunderstand!Sliph!”Mere inches away, liquid metal rose up into the cold, silvery moonlight,

forming into the flawless features of the sliph. Itwas an impossibly beautifulvision, reflecting the swaying trees and his own face in flowing distortions ofreality.Thesliphslowlysmiled.“Doyouwishtochangeyouranswer,Master?”Richardwantedtokissthequicksilverface.“Yes.”Thesliphcockedherheadtooneside.“Whatisityouwishtoconfideinme,

Master?”“Anightwisptoldmethatbefore.NotjustShota.”Richardgesturedwiththe

frustrationoftryingtogetitalloutatoncebeforethesliphcouldsaythathehadnot passed the test. “Shotawas second. Itwas a nightwispwho first toldmethosesamewords—thewordsBaraccusused.That’swhereIhearditfirst.That’swhatBaraccuswantedmetoknow—thatit’sthenightwisps.”Richardhalfexpectedsilverarmstosliparoundhisneckanddrawhimcloser.

“Anythingelse,Master?”thesliphwhisperedintimately.“Yes.With thatmessage,Baraccuswantedme to realize thatwhathe left—

leftformealone—ishiddenwiththenightwisps.”Thesliphcamecloseryet,stillshowingthegentlecurveofaknowingsmile.

Hergazedrankhimin.For thefirst timeever,her lipsmovedwithherwords,hervoicecominginthebreathywhisperofsurrender.“Youhavepassedthetest,Master.Iampleased.”“Now,there’safirst,”Richardsaid.Thesliphlaughed,asoundasclearandpleasantasthemoonlight.“Doyouknowtheplaceofthewisps,Master?”Richard shookhishead. “No,butKahlan toldmea little about them, about

their homeplace. Kahlan ismywife. She has traveled in you before andwaspleased, but you don’t remember her because shewas captured by some verybadpeoplewhoreleasedaspelltomakeeveryoneforgether—somethingalittlelikewhatwasdonetoyou.I’mtryingtofindherbeforethosesamebadpeoplecanhurteveryone.“That’swhat this isallabout.That’swhyBaraccus left something forme—

somethingtohelpmeinmyefforts.”“Isee.Iamhappyforyou,Master.”“Anyway,Kahlantoldmeabouttheplacewherethenightwispslive.Shesaid

thatit’sbeautiful.”“SoBaraccustoldme,too.”“Kahlansaidthatyoucan’tseethewispsinthedaytime,onlyatnight.Iguess

that’swhythey’recallednightwisps.“Kahlansaidthey’relikestars,likestarsfallenfromthesky.Shesaidthatit’s

likeseeingstarsamongthegrass.”The sliph nodded at his excitement. “I am happy that you are pleased,

Master.”“Canyougothere?Totheplaceofthenightwisps—thisplaceofstarsfallen

totheground?”“Evenifyoucouldtravel,I’mafraidnot,”thesliphsaid.“Baraccusdirected

thatthisemergencyportalbebuilthereforareason.Hedidnotwantmetobeabletogotothehomeplaceofthenightwispsbecausehedidnotwantanyonetoknowthathewent there.Hedidnotwant it tobecomeadestination,either,butrathertoremainaremoteandsecretplaceofstarsfallentotheground.“Baraccustoldmethatthisportalisnotagreatdistancefromthewisps,butit

is theclosest I canget to them.Hedidnotwantme togiveanyhint that thisplaceexisted,ortoeverdivulgeanythinginvolvingmyfuturemasters.Itwashiswayofprotectingyou.ThatiswhyIcouldnottellyourfriendswhereyouwere.Thatsecrecyandsecuritywasalsomeant tobepartofwhatwouldbringforththe rightwords, from the rightperson.Thatprotectionnotonlyprotectedyou,but denying you the help of your friends prompted you into thinking foryourself.ThinkingiswhatBaraccussaidwouldturnthekeyforyou.”Richard’s head spun with everything he was learning. He leaned closer,

seekingtoconfirmwhathealreadyknew.“YoubroughtBaraccus’swife,Magda,here,didn’tyou?Andshewascarryingsomethingwithher.”“Yes. This is the place I brought Magda after the last time I saw master

Baraccus.Sherepairedthestone,here,beforegoingback.ThatwasthelasttimeIsawher.Noonehasbeenthroughtothisplaceeversincethen.“You have passed the test, Master. This is the way to the secret library

Baraccusleftforyou.”

Chapter36Kahlansteppedcarefullyamongtherubbleofancientbuildingsthathadover

themillenniacrumbledandeventuallytoppled,sendingsectionstumblingdownthe steep hillside. Dusty pieces of brick and stone lay scattered everywhereamongthedry,decomposingdirtoftheslope.Itwouldbeeasytostumbleandfallinthedark,anditwasalongwaydown.Jillian,ashadowy,litheshapejustahead of them, climbed the scrabble as effortlessly as amountain goat. SisterUlicia,aheadofKahlan,andtheothertwoSisters,behindher,huffedandpuffedwith the effort of the arduous ascent. As eager as they were to press on, theSistersweregettingtired.Theyfrequentlylosttheirfootingandslipped,nearlyfallingfromthebluff.Kahlanthoughtthattheywouldbewelladvisedtowaituntildaylighttofinish

climbingup into theruinsof thecityofCaska.Shewasn’tabout togive themthatadvice,though.TheSistersdidwhattheSisterswantedtodoandtherewasnothingKahlancoulddoaboutit. Intheend, theonlyresultofanysuggestionshemightofferwouldbeabeatingforinterfering.KahlanwouldhavebeenhappytoseeanyoneoftheSistersfallandbreakher

neck,butsheknewthattheothertwowouldbenolesstroublethanallthree.Forthatmatter,oneoftheSisterswasmorethancapableofmakingKahlan’slifeatorturousnightmare.Anyof themcouldeasilyuseherpower through the ironcollararoundKahlan’snecktoputherinastateofunendurableagony.So,sheclimbedwithoutcommentingonthewisdomofdoingsuchathingbythelightofthemoonalone.SinceJillian’s trailwasso treacherous, they’dhad to leave thehorsesat the

baseof theheadlands.Therewerecertainitems, though, that theSisterswouldnot let outof their sight,much less leavebehind, and soKahlanwasmade tocarrythem,alongwithwhatotherpacksshecouldlift.Itwasagruelingefforttolugtheheavyloaduptheprecipitoustrail.Jillianhadwantedtohelpwithsomeofthepacks,buttheSistersrefusedtoallowit,sayingthatKahlanwasaslaveandmeantforaslave’swork.TheytoldJilliantoworryaboutguidingthemtoTovi.KahlansignaledJillianwithhereyestodoastheSisterswantedandmoveout.Shesilentlyremindedherselfthatsuchworkwouldonlymakeherstronger,whiletheSisters,shunninganyeffort,wouldonlygrowweaker.Kahlanwantedtoremainstrong.Somedayshewasgoingtoneedherstrength.

Butithadbeenalongdayandthatstrengthwasflagging.At least they were nearing the end of the lengthy, headlong journey. Soon

enoughtheSisterswouldallbereunitedandthenmaybetheywouldsettleinfora time, be a little less tense, a little slower to anger. While Kahlan looked

forwardtoarespiteofadayortwo,shewastroubledbywhatitwouldmean.TheSistershadgiventheclear impressionthat thiswastobetheendof the

journey,theendoftheirstruggle,andthebeginningofanewera.Kahlancouldnot imaginewhat thatcouldmean,but itworriedhergreatly.TheSistersoftentalkedamongthemselvesof therewardthatawaitedthembeingnearlyin theirgrasp. More than once, Sister Ulicia had remarked, in answer to the others’impatience,“Itwon’tbelong,now.”Kahlanhadno ideawhat theirplanwas,whatgreateventwasabout to take

place,butshewascertain that it involved theboxesshecarriedonherback—LordRahl’s boxes. The two Sisters following behind kept a carefulwatch onthoseboxes.Thenightbefore,Kahlanhadoverheard theSisterssay thatwhentheyreachedTovi,andthethirdbox,thepreparationswouldbegin.Kahlansighedinreliefwhentheyatlastreachedthetopofthesteepincline,

findingthemselvesstandingatthebaseofadecomposingwall.Inplacesgullieshadunderminedandwashedoutsectionsofthewall.KahlantookonelastlookoutoverthemoonlitplainfarbelowbeforefollowingJillianthroughoneofthedark gaps in the wall. Once into the breach in under the wall still remainingoverhead, Kahlan discovered that the wall was as thick as a small house.Whateverpeoplebuiltsuchawallmusthavebeendecidedlyworriedaboutwhatmightcometoattackthem.Thesteeptrail leveledoutontheothersideofthewallandledthemamong

buildingssetclosetogether.Manyplacesneartotheedgehadcrumbledorwereleaning and about to fall. The massive wall had held much of the decayingrubbleback,butinplacespartsoffallingbuildingshadgoneoverthetop.Overtime,brokenbricks,blocks,andmortarhadalsobeenwasheddownthroughthegullies.Theysoonfoundthemselvesonanarrowstreetamongbuildingsthatwerein

bettershape.Theouterfringeofstructureshadseemedtotakethebruntoftheweather and as a result were the most deteriorated. From the confinement ofbuildings theymade theirwayout into agraveyard. In themoonlight itwasahauntingsight.Statuesstoodhereandtherelikephantomsamongthedead.Makingtheirwayamongthegraves,Kahlansawthathigherupthebuildings

laylikeanendlesscarpetovertherollinglandscape.IntheclearskyshespottedJillian’s raven,Lokey.Thegirlhadneverpointed itout,apparentlyhoping theSisterswouldthinkitjustawildbird,butwhenKahlanglancedherwayJillianwouldsometimessignalwithhereyestolookup.Lokeywoulddoaerialtricksthatwouldmake Jillian, if the Sisterswere looking the otherway, smile. Sheseemedagirlsearchingforsomesmallreasonfor joyamongthedesolationof

whathadbefallenher andhergrandfatherbecauseof theSisters.WhenSisterArminaoncenoticedtheraven,shethoughtthatitwasavulturefollowingthemacrossthedesolatelandscape.Kahlandidn’tcorrecther.“How much farther?” Sister Ulicia asked as she paused among the grave

markers.Forsomereason,KahlanthoughtthatshesoundedsuspiciousofJillian.Jillianpointed.“Notfar.Upthere,throughthatbuilding.It’sthepassageway

tothedead.”SisterCecilia snorted. “Passageway to thedead.Tovialwaysdidhavequite

thesenseofdrama.”SisterArminashrugged.“Seemsprettyappropriatetome.”“Go on, then,” SisterUlicia said as she gestured for the girl to getmoving

again.Jillianstartedoutatonce,leadingthemoutofthemazeofthegraveyardand

up into the empty city.Kahlan couldn’t tell for sure by the light of themoonalone, but it seemed that everything—every wall, roof, street, every part ofeverything—wasthesamecolorofdustanddeath.Theghostlysilenceinamongthebuildingsshroudedthenightwithaneeriesenseofstillness.Kahlanfeltasifshewerewalkingthroughtheimmenseskeletonofacity,asifeverybitoftissueandlifehadbeenstrippedawayandallthatwasleftwascrumblingbeigebones.Alongabroadthoroughfarethat,bythelookofthedecorative,curvingstone

wallstoeachside,mustoncehavebeenbeautiful,Jillianslippedlikeashadowthroughthearchesfrontingoneofthelargerbuildings.Inside,itwashardtosee.Kahlan heard the girl’s feet crunching across bits of crumbled mortar. TheSistersdidn’tseemtonoticethemosaicunderfoot.WheremoonlightfellacrossthefloorKahlancouldseefadedlittletilesthatmadeupapictureoftrees,paths,andawallsurroundingagraveyard.Therewereevenmosaicpeople.Lookingatthesweepofthepictureacrossthefloorassheluggedherheavy

load,Kahlan tripped on amissing section of tile and fell to her knees. SisterUlicia immediately struck her across the back of her head, knocking Kahlansprawlingonherface.“Getup,youclumsyox!”SisterUlicia shoutedas shekickedKahlan in the

ribs.Kahlanwastrying,butwiththeweightoftheloadonherbackitwaseasier

saidthandone.“Yes,Sister,”shesaid,gaspingbetweenthekicks,hopingtogaintimetostand.Jilliansteppedbetweenthem.“Leaveherbe!”SisterUliciastraightenedwithaglower.“Howdareyou interfere. I’llwring

yourscrawnyneck.”

“I think we ought to skin her alive,” Sister Armina said, “and leave herbleedingcorpseoutthereforthevultures.”SisterUliciasnatchedJillian’scollar.“GetoutofthewaysoIcanteachthis

lazyoxalesson.”“Leaveherbe,”Jillianrepeated,refusingtobackdown.“Let’s just cut the little brat’s throat and be done with her,” Sister Cecilia

complained.“Wedon’thavetimeforthis.WecanfindTovionourown,now.”KnowingthatshehadtopacifytheSistersbeforetheycarriedouttheirthreats

to harm the girl, Kahlan finallymanaged to regain her feet. She immediatelytookJillian’sarmandpulledherbackoutofharm’sway.“I’msorry—it’smyfault,”Kahlansaid.“Wecangonow.”Kahlanhalfturnedtostartout,butshedidn’ttakeastep.Sheknewbetterthan

todo sowithoutpermission.SisterUliciadidn’tmove.Shehadmurder inhereyes.“Not until she sees you get the kind of lessonwe’ve owed you for quite a

whilenow,”shesaid.“You’regettingfartoousedtobeingtreatedlightlyatyoureverytransgression.”“Youwill leaveKahlanbe,”JilliansaidfromhalfwaybehindKahlan, trying

nottobepushedanyfartherintothebackground.SisterUliciaplantedherfistsonherhips.“Orwhat?”“OrI’llnotshowyouwhereToviis.”“Youfoolishchild,”SisterUliciagrowled.“WealreadyknowwhereToviis.

She’sinhere.You’vealreadyledustoher.”Jillianslowlyshookherhead.“Therearemilesofpassagewaysdown there.

You’llgetyourselveslostamongthebones.YouleaveKahlanbeorI’llnotshowyoutheway.”“IcansenseTovi,”SisterCeciliasaidwithadismissivesigh.“Cutthegirl’s

throat.We’recloseenoughthatIcanfindTovi,now,withmygiftalone.”“I,too,cansenseher,”SisterArminasaid.“Sensingthatsheisnear,”Jilliansaid,“doesn’tmeanthatyouwillbeableto

findthecorrectpassagewaytogettoher.Downthere,downwiththebones,youmaybe only a short distance fromher but if you take onewrong turn amongmanyyoumustmake,youwillgo formilesandnever reachher.Peoplehavegonedownthereanddiedbecausetheycouldn’tfindtheirwaybackout.”SisterUliciaclaspedherhands,considering,asshepeereddownhernoseat

thegirl.“Wedon’thavetimeforthisrightnow,”shefinallyannounced.“Getgoing,”

she told Jillian.She turned ameaningful lookon the other twoSisters. “Soon

enoughwewilleventhisscore—alongwithothers.”SheturnedbackwithamenacingexpressionthatwidenedJillian’seyes.“You

get us to Tovi or she’s liable to get impatient and start breaking yourgrandfather’sbones…oneatatime.”Jillian’s face registered sudden alarm. She immediately led them into a

labyrinthofpassages and rooms through thebackof thebuilding.Therewereplaceswherethepassagewayswereopentothemoonlight.Inotherplacesitwascrampedandblackasdeath.TheSisterslitsmallflamesthathoveredabovetheirpalms so that they could see. Jillian looked startled to learn that the womencoulddosuchathing.They emerged from the building into another graveyard. Without slowing,

Jillian led them through the place of the dead, among hillocks covered withgnarled olive trees and rows of gravesmottledwithwild-flowers. She finallybrought them to a halt above a gravestone standing on its side beside a blackholeintheground.“Downthisrathole?”SisterArminaasked.“Ifyouwant toget toTovi.”Jilliangrabbeda lanternfrombesidethecover

stoneand,afteraSisterlitit,starteddown.They all funneled into the narrow stairway, following Jillian down. The

ancient stone steps were irregular, with their leading edges rounded over andwornsmooth.ForKahlan,withalltheweightshewascarryingonherback,thedescentwastreacherous.Thesistersheldoutwaveringflamestohelpthemsee.At landings they all turnedwith the stairs and continued ever deeper into therealmofgraves.Whentheyfinallyreachedthebottomthepassageopenedintowidercorridors

thatwere carved from the solid but soft rock of the ground itself.All aroundwerenichescarvedintherockwalls.Kahlannoticedthatallthoserecessesheldbones.“Watchyourheads,”Jilliansaidoverhershoulderasshewentthroughoneof

thedoorwaystotheside.Theyallduckedastheywentthroughafterherandintoaroomwithaceiling

just as low as the doorway. At intersections Jillian took turns without anyhesitation,as ifshewerefollowinga trailpaintedon thefloor.Kahlannoticedthattherewereafewfootprintsinthedust,butshealsosawfootprintsgoingoffdownmanyof thedifferentcorridors.Theprintswerebigger thanwouldhavebeenmadebythegirl’ssmallfeet.The cramped corridor finally opened into larger chambers. They passed

through seemingly endless rooms stacked with orderly piles of bones. Other,

narrowroomswerelinedwithnichesstackedfullofbones,asiftheyhadbeguntorunoutofplacestoputallthedead.Therewasaseriesofseveralroomsfilledonlywithskulls.Kahlanestimated

that there had to be thousands of them. They had all been carefully fittedtogetherintolargeniches,eachskullfacingout.Eachnichewasfilledrightuptothe top.Kahlangazed at all the holloweyes staringback at her,watchingherpass.Sheremindedherselfthatthesethingshadoncebeenpeople.Theyallhadonce been alive. Each had once been a living, breathing, thinking individual.Theyhadoncelivedlivesfilledwithfearsandlongings.Itremindedherofhowpreciousandbrieflifewas,howimportantitwasbecauseonceitwasgone,forthatpersonitwasgoneforgood.Itremindedheryetagainofwhyshewantedherlifeback.WithJillian,Kahlanfeltthatshenowhadalinkbacktotheworld,towhoshe

was.WhenJilliansawandrememberedher,Kahlanfeltjustalittlemorealive,asifshereallywassomebody,andherlifehadmeaning.Theypassed throughroomswith legbonesstacked in theirownniches,arm

bones inyetothers.Longstonebinscarvedat thebaseof the sidewalls linedsomeoftherooms.Thesebinsheldsmallerbones,alllaidinneatly.SeparatingthebonesofskeletonsinsuchawayseemedtoKahlanastrange

thingtodo.Shethoughtthat,surely,itwouldbemorerespectfulofthedeadtoleavethebonesofthedeceasedtogether.Itwaspossible,shesupposed,thattheydidn’thave the luxuryof space, since stacking them thiswaydid saveagreatdealofspace.Maybeitwassimplytoomuchworktocarveanicheforjustonebody,orone family,when therewere somanydead tobury.Maybe therehadbeen a great sickness that claimed a large portion of the population and theycouldn’tbeburdenedwithsuchniceties.Thecitywithin thewalls lookedprettycramped.Spacemusthavebeenata

premium. If thepeople,and theirdead,were to remainwithin thewallsof thecity,thelivingwouldhavehadtomakeconcessions.Itseemedanoddproblem,sincethelandaroundthecitystretchedemptyfrom

horizontothehorizon.Shewonderedifitcouldhavebeenatimeofwar,whensentimental considerations for the dead had to be abandoned in favor of theneeds of the living. The headland did seem themost defensible place around.Whilepartsofthewallswereattheedgeofthesheerbluffs,theycouldalwayshaveenlargedthecityfartherbackontheheadland.Shesupposedthatitcouldbethatexpandingsuchmassivecitywallswasconsideredtoodifficult.Shewondered if it could be, too, that the people who had once lived here

simplydidn’thavethesamesentimentforthedeadthatotherpeoplesdid.After

all,whatrealsignificancewasthereinbones?Thelifewasgonefromthem.Theindividual they once had been was no more. It was life, after all, that reallymattered.Theirworldhadendedwiththeirdeath.Butthepeopleheremusthavehadanattachmenttothesebones,tothepeople

theyhadbeen,consideringhowdifficultitwouldhavebeentoconstructsuchanundergroundcity for thedead.Kahlannoticed, too, the faded, carefullydrawnandcarveddecorationsaroundtheniches.No,thosealivecared.Theymournedforthosewhohaddied.Shewonderedif,whenshedied,anyonewouldrememberwhoshehadbeen,

oreverevenknowthatthisperson,Kahlan,oncehadlived,hadlovedlife.Shefeltanoddjealousyforallthesebones.Friendsandfamilyofeachsetofbonesdowninthisplacehadknownthepersontheyhadbeen,grievedforthem,andput these talismans of that valued individual to rest in a way that the livingwouldrememberthosewhohadpassed.Kahlanwonderedwhathadhappenedtoall thepeoplewhohadlivedinthis

place, to the people who buried these bones. She wondered who had buriedthem.Afterall, theemptybuildingsboresilent testament thatnoonewas left.ExceptJillian.FromwhatKahlanhadlearned,Jillianlivedwithasmallbandofnomadicpeoplewhocametothisplacefromtimetotime.Theyabruptlyarrivedat a sectionof thepassageway that looked like ithad

partiallycollapsed,leavingthefloorstrewnwithrubble.SisterArminasnatchedthegirl’sarm.“Thistourofthecatacombsisgettingridiculous.Youhadbetternotbeleadingusonsomesillyroundaboutlark.”Jillian lifted an arm to point. “Butwe’re almost there.Come on and you’ll

see.”“Allright,”Uliciasaid,“getonwithit,then.”Jilliansteppedaroundahugeslabofstonethatlookedlikeitmighthaveonce

sealedwhatwasbeyond.Thereweregougesonthefloorwhereithadbeenslidasidetoclearthepassagewayandallowaccesstowhatlaybeyond.WhenJillianwent in,Kahlan could see that her lantern lit a chamber beyondwith shelvescarvedfromthesolidrock.Theshelveswereallloadedwithbooks.Thecolorsof the leatherspineswere faded,but they looked tooncehavebeenmostlyanassortment of rich reds and deep blues, with the rest being a variety of othercolorsfrompalegreentogold.TheSistersmarveledas theygazedat all thebooks.Theywere suddenly in

goodspirits.SisterArminaletoutalowwhistleassheslowedtopeeraroundattheshelves.SisterCecilialaughedoutloud.EvenSisterUliciasmiledassheranherfingersoverthedustyspines.

“Thisway,”Jilliansaidtomovethemalong.Theyhappilyfollowedthegirlasshewentthroughaseriesofrooms,mostly

smallandcramped,withshelvesallstuffedfullofbooks.Jillianwoundherwaythroughawarrenofpassagewayscarvedthoughthesoftrock,takingthemeverdeeperintotheundergroundlibrary.TheSisters’headsswiveled,seeminglylostinreadingwhattitlestheycouldmakeoutastheyshuffledalongbehindJillianandKahlan.Thelightofthelanternfellintodarkroomstheypassed,revealingyetmorebooks.“Curse the Light,” Sister Ulicia whispered to herself in delight. “We have

found thecentralsite inCaska.This is theplacewhere thebookwillbe. IbetthatTovihasbeenspendinghertimesearchingforit.”“I bet she’s already found it,” SisterCecilia said, excitement animating her

voice.SisterUliciagrinned.“Ihaveafeelingyou’reright.”Through a more finely carved, barrel-ceilinged hallway adorned with a

vineyardmuralthathadlongagofadedtoaghostofwhatitoncehadbeen,theyrounded a corner and arrived at a set of double doors. The two doors, carvedwith simple designs of grape vines and leaves,were each narrow enough thattheycouldeasilyhavebeenonewidedoor.Kahlansupposedthatthetwodoorsmadetheentrancealittlegrander,forsomereason.“IsenseTovibeyond—atlast,”SisterCeciliasaidwithasighofrelief.“I thinkwe should start the rituals tonight,”SisterArmina said in a bubbly

voice.Sister Ulicia nodded as she laid a hand on the bronze lever. “If Tovi has

managedtofindthebook—andIbetthatbynowshehas—then,withthethreeboxesfinallybacktogether,Idon’tseewhyitcan’tbeginatonce.”Shesmileddistantly. “The sooner theKeeper is freed fromhis prison, the soonerwewillhaveourreward.”Kahlanwondered if therewas anyway she could ruin their plans. Shewas

sure that once they accomplished whatever it was they intended to do, therewould be no going back—for anyone. She considered the boxes she wascarrying,andwonderedwhatwouldhappenif,whentheSistersweredistractedwithfinallyseeingToviagain,sheweretosmashatleastoneoftheboxes.Shemightevenhavetimetosmashboth.Kahlanknewthatsuchanactwoulddomorethanincurthefullwrathofthe

Sisters; she expected that theywould probably kill her. But then, Kahlan hadcome to believe that if the Sisters succeeded, she would be as good as deadanyway.

SisterArminaleanedin.“And,asourfirstact,Ithinkweshouldsettleanoldscore.”Herexpressionturnedvenomous.“Irememberalltoowellbeingsenttothetentsbythatarrogantbrute.I’llneverforgetwhathissoldierswereallowedtodotous.”SisterUlicia’sbrowdrewdownwithamurderousglare.“Oh, I think that is

onescorewewillall relishsettling.”Abalefulsmilespread through theglare.Shetwistedthebronzelever.“Let’sgetonwithit.”

Chapter37Sister Ulicia threw open the doors and marched into the pitch black room

beyond. “Tovi?What are you doing in the dark—sleeping?”Annoyance tookcontrolofhertone.“Wakeup.It’sus.Wefinallymadeithere.”WiththeSistersinthelead,carryingsmallflamesabovetheirupturnedpalms,

therewasjustenoughlighttomakeoutnearbytorchesinbracketsonthewallstoeachside,butnotmuchelse.TheSisterssentthosesmallflamesintothecoldtorches, igniting them with a hot whoosh. As the torches flared to life, lightfloodedaroomthatwasn’tverylarge,withbookshelvescarvedintothestraw-coloredrockofthewalls.On theothersideof thesmall roomsataheavy ironandplank table. In the

tall,decorativelycarvedchairbehindthetablesataburlyman,hischinrestingonathumbashewatchedthem.Hewasthefiercest-lookingmanKahlanhadeverseen.The threeSisters froze inmidstride, their eyesopenedwide, reflecting their

confused,disbelievingshockatwhattheywereseeingbeforethem.The powerfully built man sat calmly behind the table, watching the three

Sisters.Thathedidn’tspeak,didn’tmove,didn’tseemtobeintheleastbitofahurryonlyincreasedthepalpablesenseofdangerintheroom.Theonlysoundwasthehissingtorches.Theman,withmassive,muscledarmsandabullneck,wastheembodimentof

puremenace.Withoutashirt,hisbrawnyshouldersbulgedfromalambskinvestthat layopen in themiddle,displayinghisnaked,powerfulchest.Silverbandsencircledhisarmsabovebulkybiceps.Eachofhisthickfingersboreagoldorsilverring,asifbrazenlyproclaimingthemplunderratherthandecoration.Hisshaved head reflected glimmers of the fluttering torchlight. Kahlan couldn’timagine himwith hair; itwould have diminished his intimidating presence.Agoldringinhisleftnostrilheldoneendofathingoldchainthatrantoanotherring at mid-height in his left ear. Hewas clean-shaven except for a two-inchbraidofmustachegrowingdownwardfromthecornersofhissmirk,andanotherbraidinthecenterunderhislowerlip.As frightening, as formidable, as remorseless as theman looked, itwas his

eyesthatwerethetruenightmare.Therewerenowhitestothematall.Instead,theywerecloudedoverwithsullen,duskyshapesthatshiftedinafieldofinkyobscurity.Evenso, therewasnodoubtwhatsoever inKahlan’smindwhenhisgazesettledonher.Thatgazemadeherfeelnaked.Shethoughtherkneesmightbuckleundertheweightofhergallopingpanic.WhenhisgrimgazemovedtotheSisters,Kahlanreachedoutblindly,finding

Jillian, and pulled her protectively under an arm. She could feel the girltrembling.Kahlannoticed,though,thatJilliandidn’tseemsurprisedtofindthemanintheroom.Kahlancouldn’tunderstandtheSisters’silence,ortheirinaction.Bytheovert

look of threat presented by the man, she expected that they would haveincineratedhimbynow,justtobeonthesafeside.TheSistershadneverbeforebeentheleastbitshyaboutkillinganyonetheyevensuspectedmightbetrouble.Thismanwasclearlyfarmorethantrouble.Helookedcapableofcrushingtheirskullsinhisfist.Thelookinhiseyessaidthathewasusedtoseeingsuchdeedsdone.BehindKahlan,twoburlymensteppedoutofthedarkcornersandclosedthe

double doors. They, too, were fierce-looking, with wild tattoos in menacingswirlsovertheirfeatures.Theirmassivemusclesweresweat-slickedandsooty,as if they neverwashed off the smoke of oily fires.As they stepped togetherbeforethecloseddoors,Kahlancouldsmelltheirsoursweatthroughthestenchoftheburningpitch.Thesetwolookedmorethanreadyforanyeventuality.Heavy,studdedleather

straps holding a variety of knives crisscrossed their chests. Axes and flangedmaceshangingontheirweaponsbeltsglintedinthelightofthehissingtorches.Their faceswere also studdedwithmetal spikes—in their ears, eyebrows, andthrough thebridgesof theirnoses. It almostappeared that theyhadhammerednails through parts of their faces. They, too, were shaved bald. The twomendidn’tlookentirelyhuman,muchlesscivilized,butratheradeliberatecorruptionofthenotionofmankind,embracinginsteadsteel,soot,andelementsofabeast.Even though they carried short swords, they didn’t draw them.They didn’t

appeartheleastlittlebitafraidoftheSisters.“Emperor Jagang…”SisterUlicia’swatery,weak voice trailed off in abject

terror.EmperorJagang!TheshockofthosetwowordsjoltedKahlandowntohersoul.Therewassomethingaboutherconceptofthisman,formedfromseeinghis

armyfromadistanceandfromhavingbeenthroughsomeoftheplacestheyhadattacked, thatmadeKahlan fearhimevenmore than theSisters. Incontrast totheSisters,masculinityaddedanaliendimensionto thenatureof the threatheprojected.Forasfarbackasshecouldremember,theyhaddoneeverythingpossibleto

stayaway fromJagang, andyetherehe sat, right in frontof them.He lookedrelaxed, likeamanwhohadeverythingwell inhand.Heappeared tohaveno

worries.NotevenSistersoftheDarkappearedtoconcernhim.Kahlanknewthatthiswasnoaccidentalencounter.Ithadbeenstaged.More than Kahlan’s fear of Jagang engendered by the Sisters’ overheard

conversationsandtheirdoggedavoidanceoftheman,therewassomethingelse,somethingdeeper, adarkdread rooted inhervery soul, almost likeamemorybeyondherreachbetrayedonlybyitsindistinctbutsinistershadow.When Kahlan stole a glance to the side, she saw that the Sisters appeared

frozeninplace,asiftheyhadbeenturnedtostone.Theyhadalsogoneashen.SisterUliciawaswearing her blue dress, chosen especially for the reunion

withTovi.Itwasnowdustynotonlyfromtheclimbupontotheheadland,butfrom thedescentdown into the interiorof it.SisterArminaworeadresswithwhiterufflesatthewristsandatthelowneckline.Underthecircumstances,inadusty grave and standing before leering brutes, the ruffles looked naivelyridiculous.SisterCecilia,older,tightlycontrolled,andhabituallytidywithcurlygrayhair,nowlookedontheraggedrimofaleapintotherefugeofmadness.Jagang’ssulleneyeswatchedthethreeSisters.Hewassavoringthemoment,

Kahlan knew, savoring their startled horror. If the Sisters had been able to doanythingaboutthesituation,Kahlanwassurethattheywouldalreadyhavedoneit.Sister Armina’s tongue darted out to moistened her lips. “Excellency,” she

saidinasmall,strainedvoice.Kahlanthoughtitapitifulattemptatarespectfulgreeting,conspicuouslybornofpanic,notrespect.“Excellency,”SisterCeciliaaddedinavoicenomoresteady.KahlanhadonrareoccasionsseentheSisterscautious,evenwary,butshehad

never seen them afraid. She had never even been able to imagine them beingfrightened.They had always seemed in utter and complete control.Now theirhabitual,haughtydispositionswerenowhereinevidence.AllthreeSistersbowedinhaltingmovements,likethreepuppetsonstrings.When she straightened, Sister Ulicia swallowed in trembling terror. As

frightenedassheobviouslywas,confusedcuriosity,aswellastheunendurablesilence,drovehertospeak.“Excellency,whatareyoudoinghere?”Jagang’s treacherousglareagainmelted intoa smirkat thegentle, innocent,

femininetoneofherquestion.“Ulicia, Ulicia, Ulicia…” He sighed heavily. “You really are one

monumentallystupidbitch.”All threewomenwent to a knee as if they had been slammed down by an

invisiblefist.Small,whiningwhimpersescapedtheirthroats.

“Please,Excellency,wemeantno—”“I know exactly what you meant. I know every last dirty little detail of

everythinginyourminds.”Kahlan had never seen Sister Ulicia cowed, much less so badly shaken,

“Excellency…Idon’tunderstand…”“Ofcourseyoudon’t,”he saidwitha sneerasherwordsdwindledaway to

silence.“That iswhyyouareonyourkneesbeforeme,andnot theotherwayaround,whichisjustwhatyouwerewishing,isn’tit,Armina?”Whenhis gaze slid toSisterArmina she let out a small, startled cry.Blood

oozedfromherears,runninginalittleredtraildownthesnowwhitefleshofherneck.Otherthanherslighttrembling,shedidn’tmove.Jillian’sarmsclutchedatKahlan.Kahlanputahandprotectivelytothesideof

thegirl’sface,pressingherclose,tryingtocomfortherwhentherewasnorealcomforttobehadbeforesuchaman.“YoualsohaveTovi,then?”SisterUliciaasked,stillsosurprisedbytheturn

ofeventsthatshecouldn’tcometogripswithit.“Tovi!” Jagangburst intoa fit ofgruff laughter. “Tovi!Why,Tovihasbeen

deadforages.”SisterUliciastaredinhorror.“She’sdead?”He liftedhis armwith adismissivewave. “Finally sent to the afterlifeby a

mutualfriend,averyunfaithfulandtraitorousfriend.IimaginethattheKeeperof theunderworld isquiteangrywithTovi’s failure inherservice tohim.Youwill have all of eternity to findout just howangry.”His smirk returned as heglaredatthewoman.“ButnotuntilIamfinishedwithyouinthislife.”SisterUliciabowedherhead.“Ofcourse,Excellency.”KahlannoticedthatSisterArminahadwetherself.SisterCecilialookedlike

shewasreadytocollapseintotears—orscreams.“Excellency,” Sister Ulicia ventured, “how could you… I mean, with our

bond.”“Yourbond!”Jagangroaredwithlaughteragain,slappingthetable.“Ahyes,

yourbondtoLordRahl.YourtouchingloyaltytoLordRahlthat‘protects’youfrommytalentsasadreamwalker.”Kahlan’sheartsanktohearthattheSisterswereinsomekindofalliancewith

LordRahl.Forsomereason,shehadthoughtmoreoftheman.Ithurttofindshewaswrong.“ ‘We’re not the ones attackingRichardRahl,’“ he said in a falsetto voice,

clasping his hands in a mocking manner, apparently quoting some statementfromUlicia’spast.“‘Jagangistheonegoingafterhim,seekingtodestroyhim,

not us.We are the oneswhowillwield the power ofOrden and thenwewillgrantRichardRahlwhatonlywewillhavethepowertogrant.Thatisenoughtopreserveourbondandprotectusfromthedreamwalker.’“He lost the effeminatepretense. “Your loyalty anddevotion toLordRahl is

touching.”His fist slammed down on the table.His facewent redwith rage. “Do you

stupidbitchesactuallybelievethatsuchabondtoLordRahlasyoudreamedupwouldholdyoufreeofharm?”KahlanrememberedtheSisters talkingabout thesamething,andshehadn’t

been able to understand it back then, either. Why would Richard Rahl haveanything todowith theseevilwomen,much lessenter intoapactwith them?Couldsuchathingreallybetrue?Coulditbethathewasreallynobetterthanthey?One thing about it all didn’t seem tomake any sense, though. If theywere

sworntohim,thenwhywouldtheystealtheboxesfromhispalace?“Butthebond’smagic…”SisterUlicia’svoicetrailedoffintosilence.Jagang stood—amove that made the three gasp and tremble all the more.

Kahlanwassurethat,hadtheybeenableto,theywouldhavebackedupatleastastepandlikelymore.Heshookhishead,asifhecouldnotbelievethattheycouldbesoignorantas

not tounderstand.“Ulicia, Iwas there inyourmindwatching thewhole sorryevent.Iwastheretheday,yearsago,thatyouproposedtheschemetoRichardRahl. I have to tell you, I didn’t really believe that you were serious. I haddifficultybelievingthatyoucouldbesostupidastobelievethatyoucouldstrikesuchabargaintogainyourfreedomfromme.”“Butitshouldhaveworked.”“No,therewasnowaysuchathingcouldwork.Itwasnothingmorethanan

irrationalidea.Youwantedtobelieveitwastrue,soyoudid.”“You were in our minds that day?” Sister Cecilia asked. “Why would you

allowustobelievewehadsucceeded?”His inkygaze fixedonher.“Don’tyourememberwhat I toldyouall in the

very beginning, on the first day you stood beforeme? Control, I told you, ismoreimportantthankilling.ItoldyouthenthatIcouldhavekilledyousix,butwhat goodwould you be tome then?As long as you’re undermy dominion,you’renothreattome,andofuseinohsomanyways.“No,ofcourseyoudon’t rememberbecauseyouchose instead to think that

youweresmartenoughtotrickmewithyourconvoluted,illogicalnotionofthebond.Youthinkyouaretooclevertobeoutwitted,andsohereyoustandbefore

meagain,neverhavingleftmydominion.”“Andyet,youjustletus…goaboutourbusiness?”SisterCeciliaasked.Jagangshruggedashesteppedaroundthetable.“Icouldhavestoppedyouat

anymoment, if Ichose. IknewIhadyouundermy thumb.Butwhatwould Ihavehad togain, then?Justa fewmoreSistersof theDark,andIalreadyhadplentyof those—althoughtheirnumbersareseriouslydiminishedbynow.”Heleaneddowntowardthemwithanaside.“YourkindhasatendencytodoalotofdyingonthebehalfofthecauseoftheFellowshipofOrder.“But with you,” Jagang said as he straightened, “I had something highly

interesting.IhadSistersoftheDarkwhowereuptothings.”Hetappedathickfinger to his temple. “Who had devious plans, and the knowledge to pursuethem.“You have a lifetime of experience from the vaults at the Palace of the

Prophets,vaultsholdingthousandsofbooksthatarenowgone.Nomatterhowirrationalyourplanssometimesbecome—witnessyourpresentcondition—thatdoesnotnegateyourreserveofknowledgegainedthroughdecadesofstudy,ormeanthateveryoneofyourplanswasunworkable.”“So,youknewourplansallalong?FromthatdaywithRichardRahl?”JagangglaredatSisterUlicia.“OfcourseIknew.Iknewyourplantheinstant

you concocted it.”His voice loweredwithmenace. “You thought I only cameintopeople’sdreams. I don’t.You thought Iwasn’t there, inyourmind,whenyouwereawake.Iwas.OnceIenterintoyourmind,Ulicia,Iamthere,inyourmind,always.“Whatever you think, whenever you think it, I witness it. Every dirty little

thingyouconceive,Isee.Everythought,everyaction,everyvilewish,Iknowasifitwerespokenaloudtheinstantyouconceiveit.BecauseIwasn’tmakingyouawareofmypresence,though,youignorantlybelievedIwasn’tthere,butIwas.”Hewaggledathickfinger.“Oh,Ulicia,Iwasthere.“WhenyoutoldRichardRahlyourplan,thatyouwantedtoswearloyaltyto

himinexchangeforsomeonehecareddeeplyabout,well,Icouldhardlybelievethatyoujustassumeditwouldwork.”Forsomereason,KahlanfeltapangofsadnesstohearthatRichardRahlhad

someone he cared deeply about. She guessed that ever since that day she hadbeeninhisbeautifulgarden,shehadcometofeelaconnectiontohimonsomedeeplypersonallevel,evenifitwasonlyasharedappreciationforthebeautyofgrowingthings,anappreciationofnature,andthustheworldaroundthem,theworldof life.Butnowshewashearing thathewasdealingwithSistersof theDark,and thathehadsomeonehecareddeeplyabout. Itmadeher feelall the

morelikeaforgottennobody.Shewonderedwhatshecouldhavebeenthinking.“But…but,”SisterUliciastammered,“itworked…”Jagang shook his head. “Fidelity on your terms, fidelity even though you

wouldcontinuetoworkforhisdestruction,eventhoughyouwouldcontinuetoworkforeverythinghestandsagainst,fidelityeventhoughyouwouldcontinuetobesworntotheKeeperoftheunderworld,fidelityconcoctedofyourselected,selfishwishesisjustthat—wishes.Wishingdoesn’tturnyourdesiresintorealityjustbecauseyouwantitto.”Kahlan felt at least a small level of relief to hear that the Sisters were

continuingtoworkforLordRahl’sdestruction.Maybethatmeantthathewasn’treally anallyof theSisters.Maybe, in someway,hewas likeher,beingusedagainsthiswill.“I could hardly believe it as I listened to you dictating the terms of your

loyaltytohim,”Jagangwassaying,gesturinginagrandfashion,“claimingthatsuchfidelitywassubjecttothemoralfilteryou,nothe,wouldapply.Imean,ifyouwere going to contrive beliefs out of thin air,Ulicia,why didn’t you justsave yourselves some trouble and decide that by sheer willpower alone yourmindhadbeenrenderedimpenetrabletoadreamwalker?Thatwouldhavebeenjustaseffectiveashield.”Heshookhishead.“My,my,Ulicia.Howcruelofthenatureofexistencenot

toallowyouyourirrationaldesires.”Hesweptanarmout.“And,justasamazing,therestofyourSistersbelieved

it too. I know; I was there in their minds as well, watching as they wereovercome with glee that they were to be free of my ability just because youclaimedyou could tap into the bond to theLordRahlwith your own formofloyalty.”“But you allowed us to do it,” Sister Ulicia said, still overwhelmed with

astonishment.“Whywouldyounotstrikeusdownthen?”Jagang shrugged. “I had plenty of Sisters under my thumb. This was an

interestingopportunity.I learnagreatdealfromtheknowledgeotherspossess.Learningthingsgivesonepoweronewouldnototherwisehave.“Idecidedtoseejustwhatyoucouldaccomplishiflefttoyourowndevices,

seewhatyoucouldlearnforme.Afterall,IcouldhavedroppedanyofyouatanytimeifIgrewwearyofmylittleexperiment.ThereweretimeswhenIwasgreatly tempted, such as the timenot long agowhenArmina said ‘I’d love tostringJagangupandhavemywaywithhim.’“He arched an eyebrow. “Remember that, Armina? Not to worry if it has

slippedyourmind.Iwillberemindingyouofitfromtimetotime,justtorefresh

yourmemory.”SisterArminaliftedahand,asifinsupplication.“I,Iwasonly…”He glared at her until she fell silent, unable to conjure an excuse, and then

wenton.“Yes,Iwasthereallalong.Yes,Isaweverything.Yes,Icouldhavestruckyou

downatanytime.ButIhavesomethingyoudon’thave,Ulicia.Ihavepatience.With patience you can move mountains—or go around them, or climb overthem.”“ButyoucouldhavehadRichardRahlrightthere,whenweofferedhimour

terms.Oryoucouldhavehadhimathiscamp.”“You could have had him at camp as well. You spelled him, and had him

down. You could have ended it. Then why didn’t you? Because you had agrander plan, so you left him be, thinking that your bond to him was yourprotection,whileyouwentontopursuesomethingofgreaterworthtoyou.”“Butyoudidn’tneedhim,”shepressed.“Youcouldhavetakenhim.”“Ah, but while killing people as punishment is useful, it’s not nearly as

beneficialaswhatyoucandowiththemwhentheyarealive.Takeyouthree,forexample.Deathbringsnogreat punishment, only the rewardof the afterlife ifyouhaveservedtheCreatorinthisone.Youthree,however,willbedeniedtheCreator’sLight.Whatuseisthattome?ButifapersonisaliveIcanmakethemsuffer.”Heleanedcloser.“Don’tyouagree?”“Yes,Excellency,”SisterUliciamanagedtosayinastrangledvoiceasblood

begantotricklefromherear.“I liked parts of your plan,” he said as he straightened. “I find them very

useful formyownpurpose—thingssuchas theboxesofOrden.WhyshouldIkillRichardRahl; Ihave theopportunity todosomuchmore thansimplykillhim.Iwanthimtobealivetoendureinconceivablesuffering.“By letting him live that day at his camp, the same as you did when you

ignited your Chainfire spell, I knew that I would be able to use this newopportunitytotakeeverythingfromhim.SinceIwasinyourminds,I,too,wasprotectedfromtheChainfirespell,thesameasyou.“Now,with everything you have givenme, I can strip RichardRahl of his

power, his land, his people, his friends, his loved ones. I can take everythingfromhiminthenameoftheFellowshipofOrder.”Jagangdrewhishandintoatightfistbeforehimashegrittedhisteeth.“For

opposingour rightful cause, I intend to crushhimdown tohis soul, and then,whenIhavewrungeverythingoutofhim,givenhimeverykindofpainthereisinthisworld,Iwillextinguishtheflameofthatsoul.Andyouhavemadeitall

possible.”SisterUlicianoddedtearfullyatallthatwaslosttoher.Sheseemedresigned

tohernewduty.“Excellency,we can accomplish none of itwithout the bookwe came here

for.”Jagangliftedavolumeoffthetableandhelditupforthemtosee.“TheBook

ofCountedShadows.Thebookyoucameheretofind.IthoughttosearchforitwhileIwaitedforyoutocompleteyourjourneyhere.”He tossed the book back on the table. “An exceedingly rare book. This, of

course,isoneofthefewcopiesthatwereneversupposedtobemadeandsoitwashiddeninthisplace.OfcourseIwasthere,inyourmind,whenyoufoundallofthisout.“Youevenbroughtmethemeansofverification.”Hisunsettlinggazemoved

toKahlan.“AndyouhaveacollararoundherneckbywhichIcancontrolher.”He turnedacondescendingsmileonSisterUlicia.“Yousee,sinceI’minyourmindIhavebuttocommanditandthroughyouIcontrolhereverymove—justaseasilyasyoudo.”Kahlan’s hope for a chance to escape evaporated. If the Sisters were cruel

masters, thismanwas something farworse.Kahlan didn’t yet knowwhat hisintentionswere,butsheheldnoillusionsthattheywereanythingbutvile.Aninklingofsomethingelsebegantowellupinher.Forsomereasonshewas

ofvaluetotheSistersandnowjustasvaluabletoJagang.Howcouldshebethemeansofverificationofsomeancientbookhiddenawayforthousandsofyears?Shehadalwaysbeentoldthatshewasanobody,aslave,andnothingmore.Shewasbeginning to understand that theSisters hadbeen lying to her.Theyonlywanted her to think she was a nobody. It appeared, instead, that she was,somehow,pivotallyimportanttoallofthem.Jagang flicked a hand at Jillian. “Besides the collar, I have her to helpme

convinceKahlanheretodoassheistold.Tellme,mydear,haveyoueverbeenwithaman?”JillianpushedupagainstKahlan.“Yousaidyouwould freemygrandfather.

YousaidthatifIdidexactlyasyousaid,andbroughttheSistershere,youwouldsethimandtheothersfree.Ididwhatyoutoldmetodo.”“Yes, you did. And you really were quite convincing. I was there, in their

minds, the whole time, watching your performance. You followed myinstructions flawlessly.” His voice turned as threatening as his glare. “Nowanswer thequestionoryourgrandfatherand theotherswillbevulturefoodbymorning.Haveyoueverbeenwithaman?”

“I’mnotsurewhatyoumean,”shesaidinasmallvoice.“Isee.Well,ifKahlandoesn’tdoeverythingItellhertodo,youwillbegiven

overtomysoldiersfortheiramusement.Theylikegettingtheirhandsonyoungthingslikeyouwhohaven’tbeforeexperienced…desiressuchastheirs.”Jillian’s fingers tightened on Kahlan’s shirt. She pressed her face against

Kahlan’sarmasshestifledasob.Kahlansqueezedthegirl’sshoulder,tryingtocomforther,tryingtoletherknowthatshewouldn’tletanythingbadhappentoherifshecouldhelpit.“Youhaveme,”Kahlansaid.“Leaveherbe.”“Tovihasthethirdbox,”SisterUliciasaid.ItwascleartoKahlanthatshewas

tryingtostall,tobuytime,aswellasingratiateherselfwithJagang.Heglaredather.“Itwasstolenfromher.”“Stolen?Well…Icanhelpyoufindit.”Jagang leaned his backside on the table as he folded his massive arms.

“Ulicia,whenareyougoingtolearnthatnotonlydoIstandinfrontofyou,butIam in your mind as well. I know everything you’re thinking. But do keepcomingupwithyourschemes.They’requiteinventive.“Anddidyoueverconceivesomegrandplans,”hesaidwithasatisfiedsigh

ashestrolledcloser.“YougotfartherwiththemthanIthoughtyouwouldeverbeableto.”Hisvoice tookonanedge that ran shiversupKahlan’s spine. “And lookat

whatmypatiencehasnettedme,”hesaidasheturnedtoher,fixingherinthegaze of his terrible, inky eyes. “You wanted to know why I let you wanderaroundfree,doingasyouwished?Hereistheanswer.Lettingyoucastaboutonyourown,Ulicia,hasnettedmetheprizeofprizes.”Kahlan knew now that she had been correct. She was for some reason

valuable.Shewishedsheknewwhy.Shewishedsheknewwhoshereallywas.KahlancoulddonothingbutwatchasJagangclosedthedistancetoher.There

wasnowhere to run.Just incaseshemighthavehad that thought, though,shefelt a shock of pain blaze down her spine and burn through her legs, lockingtheminplace.Sheknewitwasthecollarcausingthepainfulparalysis,becausethe Sisters had done that very thing before. He, of course, would know that,becausehehadbeenintheirmindsallalongtoseeitdone.Shecouldseeinhismercilessexpressionthat,thistime,hewasthecauseofthepain.JagangreachedoutandranhisthickfingersthroughKahlan’shair.Shedidn’t

want him touching her, but she could do nothing to prevent it. He seemed toforgeteveryoneelseintheroomashestaredather.“Yes, Ulicia, you surely did bringme the prize of prizes. You brought me

KahlanAmnell.”Amnell.Sonowsheknewherlastname.Shehaddetectedtheslightesthesitationafter

hername,almostasifatitleshouldhavebeenaddedtohername.Jagang leaned closewith an obscene smile that carriedmeaning she didn’t

wanttoconsider.Kahlanstoodhergroundbyherownwill,evenifshehadnorealchoice.Jagang’spowerful,muscledbodypressedupagainsther.Itwaslikefeelingtheweightofabullleaningagainsther.With one finger, the man lifted her hair away from her neck. His stubble

scrapedhercheekasheputhismouthbyherear.“ButKahlandoesn’tknowwhosheis,doesn’tevenknowthetruenatureof

theprizethatshetrulyis.”Forthefirsttime,Kahlanwishedthatshewereinvisible,thatthismancould

notseeherjustaseveryonebuttheSistersandJilliancouldnotseeher.Thiswasnot a man she wanted to recognize her. This was a man she didn’t wantanywherenearher.“Youcannotbegintoimagine,”hewhisperedintimatelyinavoicethatseared

herwithhotdread,“justhowextraordinarilyunpleasant this isgoing tobe foryou.“Youwereworthmypatience,wortheverythingI’vehadtoputupwithfrom

Ulicia.Wearegoingtobecomequiteclose,youandI.IfyouthinkIintendtheworstforLordRahl,thenyoucannotevenbegintoimaginewhatIhaveinmindforyou,darlin.”Kahlanhadneverfeltsoalone,sohelpless, inher life.Againstherwill,she

feltatearrundownhercheekevenasshemanagedtoholdbackasobdeepinherthroat.

Chapter38Once Jagang turned away andwas no longer looking at her,Kahlan at last

allowedherselftoswallowwithsilentrelieftohavehishandsoffofher,evenifhehadonlytouchedherhair.Helplessdreadshiveredthroughherathimhavingbeenthatclosetoher.Shefullyunderstoodthemeaningfullookhe’dgivenher.Sheknewthathecoulddoanythinghewantedtoher,andshewascompletelyathismercy.No.Therewasstillbreathinherlungs.Shecouldn’tgiveintosuchabelief.

Shecouldn’tallowherselftothinkshewashelpless.Shehadtothink,insteadofsimplysurrenderingtopanic.Paniccouldnothelp

her accomplish anything.Maybe it would turn out to be true that she had nocontrolofherownlife,butsheknewthatshewaslosttohiswillifsheresignedherselftotheblindguidanceofpanic.That’swhathewantedhertodo.Acrosstheroom,attheheavytable,Jagangpulledthebookcloser.Heopened

thefrontcoverandthenleanedonbothhandsashesilentlypeereddownat it.Theroundedbrawnofhisbroadshoulders,heavilymuscledback,andthicknecklookedmore like thatofabull thanaman.The thingsheworeonlyserved toenhance his less than human appearance. He, and his men, appeared todeliberately shun the mantle of the noblest ideals of mankind and insteadembrace a base, animalistic aspect. The aspiration toward the lower form ofexistence,ratherthanahigherone,revealedanelementaldimensionoftheovertthreatthesemenrepresented;theyaspiredtobenotmen,butsomethingless.Backnotfarinfrontofthedoors,thetwohugeguardsstoodsilentlywiththeir

feetspreadandtheirhandsclaspedbehindtheirbacks.KahlanrestedahandonJillian’s shoulder when the girl looked up in silent anxiety at being in thepresenceofsuchmen,who,fromtimetotime,castdarkgazesherway.Thetwoguardsdidn’tseeKahlan.Atleast,shedidn’tthinktheydid.Shehad

minded theirbehavior andnoticed that from time to time,besides Jillian, theyeyed theSisters,butwithoutmuch interest.WhenJagangspoke toKahlan theguardslookedabitconfused.Theysaidnothing,butKahlanknewthat,tothem,itmusthaveappearedthattheirleaderwastalkingtohimself.LikeeveryonebutJillian,theSisters,andJagangthroughhislinktotheSisters, theguardsforgotKahlan before they knew they had seen her. Shewished she could be just asinvisibletotheirleader.“Whatofyourarmy,Excellency?”SisterUliciaasked, stillplainly trying to

buytimebyengaginghiminconversation.She,too,wastryingnottogiveintopanic.Jaganglookedoverhisshoulderwithawickedgrin.“Theyareclose.”

Bewildered,SisterUliciablinked.“Close?”Henodded,stillgrinning.“Justoverthehorizontothenorth,upintoD’Hara.”“Thenorth—intoD’Hara!”SisterArminablurtedout.“Butthat’snotpossible,

Excellency.”Heliftedaneyebrow,clearlyenjoyingtheirsurprise.“Theymustbewrongintheirreportsabouttheirlocation,”SisterArminasaid,

sounding like shewasgraspingat anopportunity to ingratiateherselfwith theemperor. She licked her lips. “What Imean, Excellency, is that,we,well,wepassedthemlongago.TheywerestillbackupintheMidlands,stillontheirwaysouth to get around the interveningmountains. They could not possibly havegotten…”Herquaveringwordsdwindledtonothing,asiflookinguponJagangdrained

herofallcourage,eventhecouragetospeak,untilshewasleftasilentshellofdread.“Ohbuttheyhavealreadyroundedthemountainsdownhereandturnednorth

upintoD’Hara,”Jagangsaid.“Yousee,IinfluencedyourmindstodirectyoutogowhereIwantedyoutogo,whenIwantedyoutogothere.Itwasmyaimtohaveyouthinkyouweresafe,tothinkyouknewwhereIwas.Youneverevenheardmywhispers,butthosewhispersstillguidedyouwithoutyouevenbeingawareofit.”“Butwesawyourtroops,”SisterCeciliasaid.“Wesawthemandwentaround

them.Weleftthemfarbehind.”“YousawwhatIwantedyoutosee,”Jagangsaidwithadismissivegesture.

“You thought youwere goingwhere youwanted, but youwere in fact goingwhereIguidedyou—righttomeandmymainforce.“Isentyoupastanumberofrear-guarddivisionsandthensomeunitsgoing

south tootherareas in theMidlands. Iwasmakingyoubelievewhat Iwantedyoutobelieve,seeingtoitthatyouallfeltconfidentinyourplans,whileIsawtoitthatthemainarmyproceededwithmyplans.“Ourforceshavemadeitagreatdealfartherthanyouthought.Iwanttofinish

thiswarandIcanseethatsuchagoal isfinallywithinsight,soIadjustedmytactics accordingly. Marching the main force at such a grueling pace issomethingthatIusuallydon’tdobecauseitwearsanarmydownandcostsusanumberofmen,usuallytonopurpose,buttheendisnowinsightsoitisworththelosses.Besides,theyaretheretoservethecauseoftheOrder,nottheotherwayaround.”“Isee,”Arminasaidinasmallvoice,disheartenedtolearnyetmoreoftheir

completedeceptionandoftheirhelplessplight.

“Now,wehavework.”The three Sisters suddenly sprang forward, as if yanked closer by invisible

leashesaroundtheirnecks.“Yes,Excellency,”theyallsaidasone.Apparently,Jagang had growled a silent order that only they could hear, probably just toremindthemthathewasthere,intheirminds.ItoccurredtoKahlanthathecouldcontrolherbythecollararoundherneck,

throughhiscontrolofthemindsoftheSisters,butitdidn’tappearthathewasabletocontrolherdirectly.Besidesmerelyhavingsomebasichatredforher,healsoseemed tobe trying toparalyzeherwith fearasoneaspectofcontrollingherbehaviorbystoppingherfromthinking—inadditiontousingthecollarandtheSisters. Itwouldseemthatwhilehewassomehowwithin themindsof theSisters,hewasnotinKahlan’smind.Ofcourse,shecouldn’tbesureofthat.Afterall,theSistershadbeendeluded

into thinking the same thing—that the dream walker was not there, in theirminds,watchingtheireverythought.So,whileshehadtoassumethatitwasapossibility,shejustdidn’tthinkitwastruethathewasinhermindaswell.Therewasmoretoit,though;hewastreatingherinadifferentwaythanhetreatedtheSisters.Theyweretreacherouscaptives;Kahlanwasaprize.He had deceived them for a purpose. In essence he was spying on their

thoughts.Theywereuptothingsandhewantedtosurreptitiouslyeavesdroponthose plans so that he could turn them to his own advantage. He knew thatKahlanwas not up to anything other thanwanting to escape from theSisters.Shehadnomoreplansbeyondthat.Shedidn’tevenhaveamemoryofwhoshereallywas.TherewasnothingforJagangtospyonwithinhermind.Ithadtobeobvious that she didn’twant to be his captive, either, that shewanted her lifeback.So,therewasnothingthathecouldreallylearnbysecretlyspyingonherthoughts—atleast,notyet,notunlessshebegantothinkratherthanbeblindedbypanic.But ifhe reallywasn’t inhermind, thenwhynot?Hewasadreamwalker,

afterall,amanofsuchpowerthattheSistershadbeentryingtostayawayfromhim—unsuccessfully,asitturnedout,preciselybecauseofhisabilityandpower.HeverymuchwantedKahlanashisprizeofprizes,ashe’dcalledher.Ifhewasinhermindhecouldhavecontrolledherwiththesameinvisibleleashheusedtocontrol theSisters and not have to go through their ability to do it.He didn’tseem like the sort ofmanwhowould resort to such a secondhandmethod ofcontrol if he didn’t have to.Hewouldn’t need the Sisters to control her if hecouldenterhermind.Whatwouldbethepoint,now,ofnotmakinghispresenceinhermindknown,

ifhereallycoulddoit?Evenmorematerial,ifshewasthatimportanttohim,hewould surely want to have that manner of control if it was possible, so whywasn’theabletogetintohermindandcontrolherdirectly?Therewassomethingmoregoingon.Shegotthedistinctimpressionthatthere

werethingshewasbeingcarefulnottosay.“This is it, then,” he said to the Sisters. “This is The Book of Counted

Shadows.Thisiswhatyoucameherefor,whatyouneeded.Iwanttogetstartedrightaway.”“But Excellency,” SisterUlicia said, looking startled by the very idea, “we

onlyhavetwooftheboxes.Wewouldneedallthree.”“Noyoudon’t.Youonlyneedtousethisbooktodiscoverifoneofthetwo

boxeswehavehereistheoneyoureallyneed.Ifthemissingboxistheonethatwoulddestroyus,ordestroyallthatexists,thenwhywouldweneedit?”SisterUlicia looked likeshehadverygoodreasonswhy theywouldneed it

butshereallydidn’twanttoarguethepoint.“Well,” she said, searching for the right words, “I suppose that very well

mightbetrue.Afterall,wehaven’tactuallyhadthechancetostudyTheBookofCounted Shadows yet, sowe can’t know for sure. The other references couldhave beenwrong. That’swhywewere coming here, after all.We needed thebook. It couldbeasyousay,Excellency, thatwedon’tactuallyneed the thirdbox.”ItwasobvioustoKahlanthatSisterUliciadidn’tbelievesuchathing.Jagang

didn’tseemconcernedbyherdoubt.“Andhereitsits,waiting.”Hegesturedtothebooklyingontheheavytable.

“Onceyoustudythisbook,thenyoucantellwhichboxiswhich—whichoneistheoneweneed.Ifitturnsoutthatthesetwoarethewrongboxes,perhapsbythenthethirdwillturnup.”TheSistershesitatedatagreeingtohisidea,butdidn’tseemwillingtoofferan

argument.Finally, after glancing to the others, SisterUlicia conceded the value of his

suggestion.“Noneofushasseenthisbookbefore,sowewillneedto…tolearnfrom it what we can. I think you are correct, Excellency. Studying the bookwouldbeinorder.”Jagangtiltedhisheadtowardthebooklyingonthetable.“Thengettoit.”TheSisterscrowdedcloseandleanedover,reverentlygazingforthefirsttime

upon the book they had so long sought. They read in silence, with Jagangkeepinganeyeonthemaswellasthebook.“Excellency,” Sister Ulicia said after only a brief examination, “it would

appearthatwecan’tjust…start,asyouputit.”“Whynot?”“Well,lookhere.”Shetappedthepage.“Rightinthebeginning,thisconfirms

whatwepreviouslyhadreasontosuspect,thattherearesafeguardsagainstanyeventuality.Itsaysthatyouneed…”ShefellsilentassheglancedoverhershoulderatKahlan.“Well,”shewenton,“righthereintheverybeginningitsays,‘Verificationof

the truthofTheBookofCountedShadows, if spoken by another, rather thanreadbytheonewhocommandstheboxes,canonlybeinsuredbytheuseof…‘Well,Excellency,youcanseeyourselfwhatitsays.”ItwascleartoKahlanthatthewomanwasavoidingsayingsomethingaloud.

Jaganglikewisereaditinsilence.“Sowhat?”heargued.“Itisbeingreadbytheonewhocommandstheboxes.

It’sbeingreadbyme,throughyou.Icontroltheboxesnow.”SisterUliciaclearedherthroat.“Excellency,Iwanttobeperfectlyhonestwith

you—”“I’minyourmind,Ulicia.Itwouldbeimpossibleforyoutobeanythingbut

perfectlyhonest. Iknowyoudoubtmy idea,butareunwilling toexpresssuchthoughtsaloud.So,asyouknow,Iwouldbeawareifyouweretryingtodeceiveme.”“Yes, Excellency.” She gestured to the book. “But you see, this is a very

technicalissue.”“Whatis?”“The verification issue, Excellency. This is an instructional book on

implementation of profoundly complex matters. These things are not onlyprofoundlycomplex,butprofoundlydangerous—toallofus.So,forthatreason,itiscriticaltopaystrictattentiontowhatthisbooksays.Thisisnotamattertobeapproachedcasually.Youcan’t assumeanything.The things thisbooksaysareexceptionallyspecificforgoodreasons.Youhavetothinkabouteveryword,everysentence,everyformulainit.Youhavetoconsidereverypossibility.Ourlivesalldependontheutmostcautioninthesematters.”“What’ssotechnicalabout this?Itsaysquiteplainly‘Verification, ifspoken

byanother.’It’snotspokenbyanother.We’rereadingitdirectly.”“That’stheprecisepoint,Excellency.Wearenotreadingitdirectly.”Jagang’s facewent redwith rage. “What do you thinkwe’re standing here

doing,then!”Sister Ulicia gulped air, as if an invisible hand had her by the throat.

“Excellency,youcommand theboxesnow.Butyouarenot really readingThe

BookofCountedShadows.”Heleanedtowardherinamenacingfashion.“ThenwhatisitI’mreading?”“Acopy,”shesaid.Hepaused.“So?”“So, in this case, you are not, technically, reading The Book of Counted

Shadows.Youarereadingacopyof it.Youare, inessence,readingsomethingspokenbyanother.”Hisfrowndeepened.“Whoistheonereadingit,then?”“Theonewhomadethecopy.”Jagangstraightenedascomprehensiondawnedinhisexpression.“Yes…this

isn’ttheoriginal.InasenseI’mhearingitfromtheonewhomadethecopy.”Hescratchedhisstubble.“Soitmustbeverified.”“Exactly,Excellency,”SisterUlicia,visiblyrelieved.:JaganglookedbackoverhisshoulderatKahlan.“Comehere.”Kahlanhurriedtodoasheordered,notwantingtobegivenanypaininafight

she knew he would easily win. Jillian stuck close to her side, apparently notwantingtobeleftstandingalonebackclosertothetwofierceguards.Jagang’sbighandgraspedthebackofKahlan’sneck.Heforciblypulledher

forwardandbentherdowntowardthebook.“Lookatthisandtellmeifitisgenuine.”Afterhereleasedher,Kahlancouldstillfeelthepainful,lingeringimpression

ofhispowerfulfingerswheretheyhadsqueezedherneck.Sheresistedtheurgetorubherthrobbingfleshandinsteadpickedupthebook.Kahlandidn’thavetheslightestideahowtotellifabookthatshehadnever

seenbeforewasgenuineornot.Shedidn’thaveanyideawhatwouldconstituteauthenticity.Sheknew,though,thatJagangwouldnotacceptsuchanexcuse.Heonly cared about getting an answer; hewouldn’t want to hear that she didn’tknowthatanswer.Decidingthatsheattheleasthadtotry,shebeganleafingthroughthepages,

trying tomake it look like shewas putting in an honest effortwhen shewasreallydoingnothingmorethanflippingoverblankpagesofabooklyingopenonthetablebeforeher.“I’msorry,”shesaidatlast,unabletothinkofanythingtotellhimotherthan

thetruth,“butthisisallblank.Thereisnothingformetoverify.”“Shecan’tseethewords,Excellency,”SisterUliciasaidunderherbreath,as

if itwerehardly a surprise toher. “This is a bookofmagic.An intact link tospecifickindsofHanisrequiredtoreadit.”Jagang glanced at the collar around Kahlan’s neck. “Intact.” He peered

suspiciouslyintohereyes.“Maybeshe’slying.Maybeshejustdoesn’twanttotelluswhatshesees.”Kahlanwonderedif thiswasconfirmationthathewasnot inhermind,or if

forsomereasonhewasstillcarryingoutacarefullycraftedruse.Itdidn’tseemtoherthatatthispointsuchreticencetorevealapresenceinhermind,iftherereally was one, would serve any purpose. After all, the boxes, and the book,were thecentral reasonfor theentiredeceptionof theSisters.Hehadusedhissecretpresencespecificallytobringthemhere,tothisbook.Jagang abruptly snatched Jillian by her hair. Jillian let out a surprised but

brief, clipped cry. Hewas obviously hurting her. She did her best not to pullagainstthehandholdingherhair,lestheripherscalpoff.“I’mgoingtogougeoutoneof thisgirl’seyes,”JagangtoldKahlan.“Iwill

then ask again if the book is genuine or not. If I don’t get an answer—forwhateverreason—thenIwillgougeoutherothereye. Iwillaskone last time,andifyouagaindon’tgivemetheanswer,thenIwillgougeoutherheart.Whatdoyouhavetosayaboutthat?”TheSistersstoodmuteastheywatched,makingnomovetointerfere.Jagang

pulled a knife from a sheath at his belt. Jillian began panting in terror as hejerkedheraround,drawinghisarmuptightacrossherthroat,holdingheragainsthis chest to renderherhelpless andkeepher still ashebrought thepointof aknifeperilouslyclosetoherface.“Letmeseethebook,”Kahlansaid,hopingtoaverttheirrevocable.Withathumbandafreefingerofthehandholdingtheknife,hepickedupthe

book andhanded it to her.Kahlan thumbed through the pagesmore carefully,makingsureshewasn’tmissinganypagethatmightsayanythingatall,butshestillsawnothing.Everysinglepagewasblank.Therewasnothingtosee,nowaytotellifitwasrealornot.She closed the cover and smoothed the flat of her hand over it. She didn’t

knowwhattodo.Shehadnoideawhattolookfor.Sheflippedthebookover,checkingthebackcover.Shelookedatthedeckleedgesofthepages.Sheturnedthebook,lookingdownatthetitleembossedingoldlettersonthespine.Jillian let out a strangled cry as Jagang tightenedhis grip across her throat,

liftingherfeetclearoftheground.Hebroughtthepointofthekniferightuptothegirl’srighteye.Sheblinked,unabletoturnawayfromthethreat,herlashesbrushingtheblade’spoint.“Timetogoblind,”Jaganggrowled.“It’sfake,”Kahlansaid.Helookedup.“What?”

Kahlanheldthebookouttohim.“Thisbookisafalsecopy.It’sfake.”SisterUlicia took a step forward. “How can you possibly know that?” She

lookedclearlyconfusedthatKahlancouldpronouncethebookafraudwithoutbeingabletoreadasinglewordinit.Kahlan ignored her. Instead, she continued to look into the dreamwalker’s

nightmareeyes.Cloudyshapesshifted likeangry thunderstormsonamidnighthorizon.Ittookallofherwillpowernottolookaway.“Areyousure?”Jagangasked.“Yes,”shesaidwithalltheconfidenceshecouldmuster.“It’safake.”Nowacutely focusedonKahlan, Jagang released Jillian.Once free, the girl

fledaroundbehindKahlan,usingherforcover.JagangwatchedKahlan’seyes.“Howdoyouknowthatit’snotTheBookof

CountedShadows’?”Kahlan, still holding thebookout tohim, turned it so that he could see the

spine. “You are all looking forTheBook ofCounted Shadows. This saysTheBookofCountedShadow.”Hisglareheated.“What?”“You asked how I know it’s not genuine.That’s how. It says ‘Shadow,’ not

‘Shadows.’It’safake.”SisterCeciliawearilywipedahandacrossherface.SisterArminarolledher

eyes.Sister Ulicia, though, frowned at the book, reading the spine for herself.

“She’sright.”“Sowhat?”Jagang threwuphishands.“So theword‘Shadow’ ismissinga

letter.It’sshadow,singularinsteadofplural.Sowhat?”“Simple,”Kahlansaid.“Oneisreal,oneisnot.”“Simple?”heasked.“Youthinkit’sthatsimple?”“Howmuchmoresimplecanitget?”“It probablymeans nothing,” Sister Cecilia said, eager to sidewith her ill-

temperedmaster. “Singular,plural,whatdifferencecould itmake? It’s just thecover;it’swhat’sinsidethatcounts.”“Itcouldjustbeamistake,”Jagangsaid.“Maybethepersonwhoboundthe

copymadeamistake.Thebookitselfwouldlikelyhavebeenboundbysomeoneelse,sothebookitselfisnodoubtfine.”“That’sright,”SisterArminasaid,wantingtojoininwiththeemperoraswell.

“Thepersonwhomadethebindingis theonewhomadetheerror,not theonewhomade the copy. It’s highly unlikely theywould be the same person. Thebinderwasprobablyanincompetentoaf.Theonewritingthewordsinthebook

would have had to be gifted. Those words written inside the book are whatmatters.That’stheinformationthatmustbetrue,notwhatit’swrappedin.Thereis no doubt that it’s a simple error made by a binding artisan and it meansnothing.”“Webroughtherhereforthisreason,”SisterUliciaremindedthemunderher

breath. “It is irrelevant how simple it might appear. The book itself, beforeanything else, cautions that in this very circumstance itmust beverified…byher.”“This is a highly dangerous matter. Such an answer is too simple,” Sister

Ceciliaproclaimed.SisterUliciacockedherheadatthewoman.“Andifanassassiniscomingat

youwithaknife,isthatbladetoosimpleforyoutobelieveitadanger?”SisterCeciliadidnotlookamused.“Thismatteristoocomplextobedecided

bysomethingsosimple.”“Oh?”SisterUlicialeveledacondescendingglareonthewoman.“Andwhere

does it say that the verificationmust be complex? It says only that shemustmakeit.Noneofusnoticedtheerror.Shedid.Shehassatisfiedtheinstruction.”SisterCecilialookeddownhernoseatthewomanwhousedtobeherleader

butwasnomore.NowSisterUliciawasnolongertheoneincharge,nolongertheonetheyhadtoplease.“I don’t think it means anything,” Jagang said, still staring into Kahlan’s

unflinching eyes. “I doubt that she really knows that this is a fake. She’s justtryingtosaveherownneck.”Kahlanshrugged.“Ifthat’swhatyouwanttothink,fine.Butmaybethereis

anabsenceofdoubtinyourmindbecauseyouwanttobelievethatthiscopyisreal”—sheliftedaneyebrow—”notbecauseitis.”Jagang stared at her a moment. He suddenly snatched the book out of her

handsandturnedbacktotheSisters.“We need to take a careful look at what’s inside. That’s what matters in

findingandopeningtherightbox.Weneedtomakesureit’snotflawedinanyway.”“Excellency,”SisterUliciabegan,“theremaybenowaytotell ifsomething

writteninhereis—”Jagangtossedthebookonthetable,cuttingheroff.“Iwantyouthreetogo

overeverythinginthisbook.Seeifyoucanfindanyreasonatalltothinkthatthismightbeafake.”SisterUliciaclearedherthroat.“Well,wecantry—”“Now!”Hisboomingvoiceechoedaroundtheroom.“Orwouldyourathergo

tothetentsandentertainmymen?Thechoiceofserviceisuptoyou.Pickone.”The three Sisters jumped to the table. They all leaned in as they began

studyingthebook.JagangpushedbetweenSistersUliciaandCecilia,apparentlyto watch over what they were reading and make sure that they were notoverlookinganything.

Chapter39Once shewas sure that the fourof themwerebusy,Kahlanquietlyushered

Jillianbacktothefarendoftheroom,offtothesideofthetwobigguards.“IwantyoutolistentomeverycarefullyanddoexactlyasIsay,”Kahlantold

herinalowvoicethatJagangandtheSisterscouldn’thear.Jillianfrownedupather,waiting.“I need to be sure of something. I’m going to go walk over to those two

guards—”“What!”Kahlanpressedherhandoverthegirl’smouth.“Shhh.”Jillian glanced to their captors, now worried that she had caught their

attention.Shehadn’t.Satisfiedthatshehadmadeherpoint,Kahlantookherhandaway.“I’vecome

tosuspectthatI’vebeenspelledbythosethreesorceresses.Ithinkthat’swhyIdon’trememberwhoIam—it’smagicofsomesort.AlmostnoonebutthemandJagangcaneverrememberseeingme.Almostnoonedoes.Ihavenoideawhyyoucan.Theyalsoputthiscollararoundmyneckandtheycanuseittohurtme.“Now,Idon’t thinktheguardscanseeme,butIneedtofindoutforsure.I

wantyoutostayrighthere.Don’twatchmeoryouwillmakethemsuspiciousofyou.”“But—”Kahlancrossedherlipswithafinger.“Listentome.DoasIask.”Jillianfinallynoddedheragreement.Withoutwaitingtoseeifthegirlwouldchangehermindanddecidetoargue,

Kahlan again checked to make sure that Jagang and the Sisters were busyreading.Once seeing that theywere, she immediately started across the floor.Shemovedassilentlyasshecould;theguardsmaynotknowshewasthere,butif Jagangor theSistersheardher, shewould loseherchancebefore shecouldbegin.The twoguards stared ahead,watching their emperor.Occasionally, theone

closesttoJillianwouldglanceoveratthegirl.Kahlancouldtellbyhislingeringgazewhathewasthinking:hewashopingthatJagangwouldgiveJilliantohim.Kahlan imagined thatwithaman likeJagang, suchoccasional rewardswereabenefitofhavingearnedsuchatrustedpositionaspersonalguardtoanemperor.Jillian had no idea of the fate that was in store for her. Kahlan had to dosomethingtochangetheheadlongcourseofthoseloomingevents.Once in front of theguards, shewas careful to stayout of the lineof sight

betweenthemandthefourpeopleatthetable.Shealsohadtobecarefulnottodraw the attention of the Sisters, or Jagang, either. Even if the two guardscouldn’t remember Kahlan long enough to be aware that she was there, shedidn’twant to find outwhatwould happen if theyweremysteriously blockedfrom seeing their leader. These two were warymen, no doubt of exceptionaltalents,and therewasno tellinghowsmalla thingcouldalert themto trouble,and Kahlan intended on being a great deal of trouble—but not until she wasready.Standingdirectlyinfrontofthetwohugemen,sherealizedthatshecameup

onlytothetopsoftheirshoulders,soshewouldn’tlikelyblocktheirview.Theydidn’tlookather,orinanywayacknowledgeherpresence.Shegentlytouchedthemetalpostthroughoneman’snose.Hewrinkledhisnoseandthencasuallyreachedupandscratched,buthedidnotgrabherhand.Satisfiedthathewoulddonomore,Kahlanreachedoutandsmoothlydrewa

knifefromasheathon the leatherstrapcrossing themen’schest.As thebladecame out into the torchlight, she was very careful to draw it evenly, withoutputtinganytwistingpressureonthesheathorstrap.Hedidn’tnoticeanythingasitcamecompletelyfree.Itfeltgoodtohavetheweaponinherhand.Theemotionofitcausedherto

remember being back at theWhiteHorse Innwhen the Sisters had killed thehusbandandwifewhohadrun theplace.Sherememberedpickingupaheavycleavertotrytostopthemfromharmingthedaughter.She remembered thedeep innersatisfactionathavingaweapon inherhand

because it represented a senseof having themeans to control her own life, tohelphertosurvive.Aweaponmeantnotbeingatthemercyofevilpeoplewhorespectednolaw,whetherofmanorreason,ofnotbeingahelplesspreyofthosewhowerestrongerandwouldusethatstrengthtodominateothers.Kahlan twirled the knife across her hand, weaving it through her fingers,

watchingitreflecttheflickeringlightfromthetorchesasitspun.Shecaughtthehandleandforamomentstaredatthewell-honed,polishedblade.Itrepresentedsalvation.Ifnotforher,atleastforJillian.Rememberingwhereshewasandwhatshewasdoing,Kahlanquicklyslipped

theweapondowninsideherboot.ShelookedovertomakesurethatJillianwasquietandstayingput.Thegirl’seyeshadgonewide.Kahlanturnedbacktohertaskandcarefullydrewasecondknifefromasheathontheotherguard’scheststrap.Thebladewasalittlethinner,theweaponalittlebetterbalanced.Likethefirst,shepiercedthebladethroughtheleatherofherboot,nearthetop,andsliditdown intoherboot,beingcareful toposition it as shedid, so that theblade

wouldbebehindtheboneofherankle.Shethenpushedthepointsecurelyintothebottomoftheboot.Inthemakeshiftsheaththeknifecouldn’tmovearoundandcutherwhenshewalked.Assilentlyaspossible,walkinglightlyontheballsofherfeet,Kahlanquickly

returned to a startled Jillian.TheSisters and theirmasterwere involved in ananimatedconversationabouttherelevanceofstarpositions,weather,andtimeofyeartotheformationandconcentrationofpowerneededforspecificspells.TheSisters were explaining the meaning of passages and Jagang was askingquestionseveryfewminutes,challengingtheirassumptionsateveryturn.Kahlanwasabitsurprisedtohearhowwellversedthemanwas.TheSisters

sometimesfoundthathehadlearnedmorethantheyknewoncertainsubjectstodowith theboxesofOrden. Jagangdidn’t look like amanwhowouldbe thekindtovalueknowledgefrombooks,butKahlanwaswrong.Whileshedidn’tunderstandmostofwhattheyweretalkingabout,itwasobviousthatJagangwaswellreadandmorethanuptothetaskofconversingintelligentlywiththeSisters—especiallyaboutsubjectsthattheysaidwerefoundonlyintherarestofbooks.Hewasn’tjustabrute.Hewasworsethanthat.Hewasaverysmartbrute.“All right,”Kahlan said in avoice lowenough that shewas sure theothers

couldn’thearher.“Iwantyoutolistentome.Wemaynothavemuchtime.”Jillian’seyeswerestillwide.“Howdidyoudothat?”“Iwasright,theycan’tseeme.”“Andtwirlingtheknifelikeyoudid?”Kahlanshrugged,dismissingaquestionshecouldn’tanswertoaddressmore

importantmatters.“Look, Ineed togetyououtofhere.Thismaybeouronlychance.”Jillian looked horrified at the notion. “But if I escape he will kill my

grandfather,andprobablytheothersaswell.Ican’tleave.”“Thatisthepowerheholdsoveryou.Butifyoudon’tgetaway,thetruthis

thatyouall verywellmaybekilledanyway.Youneed tounderstand that thiscouldbetheonlychanceyouhave,orwilleverhave,foryourfreedom.”“Areyoureallysureofthat?HowcanIriskmygrandfather’slifeonwhatyou

thinkmighthappen?”Kahlantookadeepbreath.Shehadn’twantedtohavetoexplainit.“Idon’t

have time toput it toyounicely, topersuadeyou ingentleways. I onlyhavetimetogiveyouthebarebonesofthetruth,sothat’swhatI’mgoingtodo,solistencarefully.“Iknowwhatthesemenarelike.I’veseenwhattheydotoyoungwomenlike

youandme—seenitwithmyowneyes.I’veseentheirnakedbrokenbodiesleft

sprawledwheretheylaywhenImperialOrdersoldiersarefinishedusingthem,ordumpedinditcheslikerefuse.“Ifyoudon’tgetaway,verybad thingsaregoing tohappen toyou,atbest.

Youwillspendtherestofyourshort lifeasaslave,beingusedbysoldiersfortheirsickpleasureandamusement inwaysyoudon’twant to learnabout.Youwillspendtherestofyourlifealternatingbetweenterrorandsobbing.That’satbest.Youwilllive,butwisheverymomentthatyouweredead.Atworst,youaregoingtobekilledwhenJagangleaves.“Eitherway, it’s a fool’swish to think he’s going to let you go.Nomatter

whathappens,whetheryouescapeorstay,hemightletyourgrandfatherandtheothersgosimplybecausetheymaynotwanttotakethetimeandtroubletokillthem.Jaganghasmoreimportantthingshe’sinterestedin.“Butyouareplunderthathasvaluetohim.Ifnothingelse,hewillgiveyouto

those twoguardsasabonus for their service.That’showmensuchas Jagangdrawruthlessbruteslikethosetwointoloyalservice—bygivingthemtastylittlescrapslikeyou.Doyouhaveanyideawhattheywilldowithyou—beforetheycutyourthroat?Doyou?”Jillianwassilentforamoment.Sheswallowedbeforespeaking.“Iknowwhat

Jagang meant, before, when he asked if I’ve ever been with a man—but IpretendedIdidn’t.Iknowwhathemeantwhenhesaidthathewouldgivemeovertohissoldiers.Iknowwhathemeantwhenhesaidtheywouldlikegettingtheir hands on a young woman like me. I know what he meant about theirdesires.“Myfamilyhaswarnedmeabout thedangers fromstrangers like these.My

motherhasexplained it. I think thatshedidnot tellmeeverything, though,sothat I wouldn’t have nightmares. I think the parts you know would give menightmares. Before, I only pretended I didn’t know what Jagang was talkingaboutsothathewouldn’tknowhowafraidIwasofhimdoingthattome.”Kahlancouldn’thelpsmiling.“Thatwasaverywise thingyoudid,keeping

suchknowledgetoyourself.”Jillian twisted her mouth, fighting back tears at the grim fate she had just

admittedunderstanding.“Youhaveaplan?”“Yes.Youhavelonglegs,butIstilldoubtthatyoucanoutranthem.There’s

anotherway, though,awaythatuseswhatyouknowandtheydon’t.Yousaidthat onewrong turn out there and people get lost in themaze of tunnels androoms.Ifyougetevenasmallheadstartyouwillbeabletoquicklylosetheminallthetwistsandturns.Ascomplexasthisplaceis,Idon’tthinkthateventhepowers of the Sisterswould help them get you, and I don’t think that Jagang

wouldwastethetimetrying.”Shestilllookeddubious.“ButI—”“Jillian,thisisachanceforyoutoescape.Anothermaynevercomealong.I

don’twantanythingterribletohappentoyou.Ifyoustay,itwill.Iwantyoutounderstandthatyoumusttakethischance.Iwantyououtofhere.ThisisallIcandoforyou.”Jillianwas overcomewith a look of horror. “Youmean…you’re not going

withme?”Kahlanpressedherlipstightandshookherhead.Shetappedthemetalcollar

aroundherneck.“Theycanstopmewiththis.It’smagicofsomesort.Theywillbeabletoputmedown.ButIthinkthatbeforetheydoI’llbeabletohelpslowthemenoughsothatyoucangetaway.”“Buttheywillhurtyou,orevenkillyou,forhelpingmegetaway.”“They are going to hurt me anyway—Jagang has already promisedme the

worst he can dream up. He can do no more than he already intends. As forkillingme,Idon’tthinktheywoulddothat,fornowatleast.Theystillneedme.“I’mhelpingyougetawayandthat’sall thereis toit.Mymindismadeup.

It’smychoice. It’s theonly thingIcando, theonly thing that Ihaveachoiceabout.IfIhelpyou,thenitmakesmyownlife,nomatterwhatwillbecomeofme,meanmoretome.Iwillatleasthavedonesomethingtofightback.Iwillatleasthavethisvictoryoverthem.”Jillianstaredather.“You’reasbraveasLordRahl.”Kahlan’s eyebrows lifted. “You mean Richard Rahl? You know Richard

Rahl?”Jilliannodded.“Hehelpedme,too.”Kahlan shook her head in wonder. “For living out here in the middle of

nowhere, you sure seem to havemet a lot of important people.Whatwas hedoinghere?”“Hecamebackfromthedead.”Kahlanfrowned.“What?”“Well, not exactly the dead, really. At least that’swhat he toldme. But he

cameupfromthewellofthedeadinthegraveyard,justasthetellingssaidhewould.Iamthepriestessofthebones.Iamhisservant,adream-caster.Heismymaster.Therehavebeenmanypriestessesofthebonesbeforeme,buthenevercameforthem.Ineverknewthatitwouldturnoutthathewouldcomebackinmylifetime.“He came to find books, too.He is the onewho found this place—I never

evenknew itwas downhere.Noneofmypeople knew.Evenmygrandfather

neverknewthisplaceofboneswashere.“Richardwaslookingforabooktohelphimfindsomeoneimportanttohim.

ThebookwascalledChainfire.Oncehediscovered thisplaceandbroughtmedownhere, I’m theonewho found thebook forhim.Hewas reallyexcited. IwassohappythatIwastheonewhohelpedhimfindwhatheneeded.“Since coming down here with him, I’ve spent all my time exploring this

place, learningeveryturnandtunnelandroom.IhopeRichardwill returnoneday,ashesaidhemight,andthenIwillbeabletoshowhimeverything.Iverymuchwanttomakehimproudofme.”Kahlan could see the longing in Jillian’s eyes to satisfy the man, to do

somethinghewouldvalue,tohavehimrecognizehereffortandability.Kahlanwantedtoaskathousandquestions,butshedidn’thavethetime.She

couldn’tresistone,though.“What’shelike?”“Master Rahl saved my life. I’ve never met anyone else like him.” Jillian

smiledinadistantway.“Hewas,well, Idon’tknow…”Shesighed,unable tofindthewords.“Isee,”Kahlansaidatthedreamylookinthegirl’scopper-coloredeyes.“HesavedmylifefromsoldierssentbyJagang,before.Theywerelookingfor

thesebooks.Iwassoafraidthemanwhohadmewasgoingtocutmythroat,butRichard killed him.Then, he heldme in his arms and quietedmy tears.” Shelookedupfromgazingintohermemories.“Andhesavedmygrandfather, too.Well,notexactlyhim,butthewomanwithhim.”“Woman?”Jilliannodded.“Nicci.Shesaidthatshewasasorceress.Shewassobeautiful.

Icouldn’tstopstaringather.I’dneverbeforeseenawomanthatbeautiful.Shewaslikeagoodspiritstandingtherebeforeme,withhairlikesunlight,andeyesliketheskyitself.”Kahlan sighed.Whywouldn’t aman like that have abeautifulwomanwith

him.After hearing it, she didn’t knowwhy she hadn’t ever considered such alikelihoodbeforenow.Kahlan didn’t knowwhy, but she felt as if something, some hope she had

never dared define, or maybe an unfathomable longing she still clung to forsomethingprofoundlyvaluablehiddenbeneath theblack shroud that hadbeendrawnoverherpast…hadjustslippedawayfromher.ShehadtolookawayfromJillian’sgazelestshelosecontrolatthethoughtof

theforlornsituationshefoundherselftrappedin.Sheusedtheexcuseoflookingoverhershoulder,checkingtomakesurethattheemperorandhisSisterswere

stillbusy,asshewipedanunexpected,solitarytearfromhercheek.The Sisters looked more involved than ever in a discussion of the

technicalities in the book. Jagangwas demanding to knowhow they could besurethatcertainpartswerecorrect.When Kahlan looked back, Jillian was staring at her. “But she wasn’t as

beautifulasyou.”Kahlansmiled.“Diplomacymustbearequirementofbeingapriestessofthe

bones.”“No,”Jilliansaid,lookingsuddenlyworriedthatKahlanmightnotbelieveshe

wastellingthetruth.“Really.There’ssomethingaboutyou.”Kahlanfrowned.“Whatdoyoumean?”Jillian’snosescrunchedupwiththestruggleofsearchingforwords.“Idon’t

know how to explain it. You’re beautiful, and smart, and you know the rightthingtodo.Butthere’ssomethingelse.”Kahlanwondered if thiscouldbesome link towhoshereallywas.Shehad

beenlookingforsomeonewhowouldbeabletoseeher,andrememberher,andmaybegiveheraclue.“Likewhat?”“Idon’tknow.Somethingnoble.”“Noble?”Jillian nodded. “You remind me of Lord Rahl in a way. He saved my life

withouthesitation, just likeyouwant todo. Itwasn’t just that, though. Idon’tknowhow to explain it.Therewas just something about him…andyouhavethatsamequalityaboutyou,too.”“Good.AtleastheandIhavesomethingincommon,then,becauseI’mabout

tosaveyourlife,too.”Kahlan tookasteadyingbreathasshecheckedoverhershoulderagain.The

otherswerestillengagedintheirheatedconversation.SheturnedbacktoJillianandgaveheradeadseriouslook.“Wehavetodothisnow.”“But,I’mstillworriedaboutmygrandfather…”Kahlanlookedintothegirl’seyesforalongmoment.“Now,youlistentome,Jillian.You’refightingforyourlife.It’stheonlylife

youwilleverhave.Theywillshowyounomercyforstaying.Iknowthatyourgrandfatherwouldwantyoutotakethischance.”Jilliannodded.“Iunderstand.LordRahltoldmemuchthesamethingabout

theimportanceofmylife.”For some reason, that lifted Kahlan’s heart andmade her smile. The smile

quickly vanished, though, as she put her mind back to the task at hand. Shedidn’tknowifJagangandtheSisterswouldbefinishedsoon,oriftheywouldbeatitfortherestofthenight,butshecouldn’taffordtomisstheopportunity.“Wehavetodothisnow,beforeIlosemynerve.IwantyoutodoexactlyasI

say.”“Iwill”Jilliansaid.“Here’swhatwe’regoingtodo.Youwillstayrighthere.I’mgoingtogoover

thereandkillthesetwomen.”Jillian’seyeswentwide.“You’regoingtodowhat?”“Killthem.”“How?You’rejustawoman,andthey’rebig.Andthere’stwoofthem.”“It’snotimpossibleifyouknowhow.”“You’regoingtocuttheirthroats?”Jillianguessed.“No.TheywouldmakenoiseifIdidthat.Besides,Icouldn’tdothattoboth

of themat the same time.So, I’mgoing to take twomoreof theirknives andthenI’mgoingtoslipupbehindthemandI’mgoingtostabthemright…here.”Kahlan jabbeda finger in Jillian’sback, a little to the side, right in the soft

spotofherkidney.Eventhesmalljabmadethegirlgruntwiththepainofhowsensitivethatplacewas.“Stabbing a man right there, in his kidney, is so painful that it makes it

impossibleforhimtocryout.”“Youcan’tbeserious.Surelytheywillscream.”Kahlan shook her head. “The pain is so great when you’re stabbed in the

kidneythatyourthroatclampsshut.Yourscreamislockedinyourlungs.Thatwillbeourchance.Before theycollapseandhit the flooras they’redying,wehavetogetthroughthatdoorbehindthem.Wehavetoslipthroughasquietlyaspossible to buy as much time as we can. We’ll probably only have a briefmomentbeforewe’rediscovered,butthatmomentisallweneedforyoutogetaway.“Youstandrighthere.AssoonasIdrivetheknivesintheirbacks,youhead

forthedoor—fastasyoucan.Butdon’tmakeanynoise.I’llbetherewithyouatthedoors.”Jillianwaspantinginfearofsuchatask.Hereyeswerebrimmingwithtears.

“ButIwantyoutogowithme.”Kahlansquatteddownandhuggedthegirl.“I know. This is all I can do to protect you, Jillian. But I think it will be

enoughtogetaway.”Shewipedathereyes.“Butwhatwilltheydotoyou?”

“Youjustworryaboutgettingaway.IfIgetachancetoescape,IpromiseyouIwill.TellLokeytowatchformeincaseIeverdogetaway.”“Allright.”Kahlan knew that it was a false hope. She squeezed Jillian’s shoulder and

stood.Shecheckedthefouratthetableonelasttime.Shedidsojustintime.Jagangglancedover his shoulder to seewhatKahlanwas doing.She stood

silentlybesideJillian,watchinghimandtheSistersworking,asifshehadbeentherethewholetime,doingnothingbutawaitingherfate.Heturnedhisattentionto theheatedwordsbetweenSisterUliciaandSisterCecilia.SisterUliciawasbeingherobstinateself,whileSisterCeciliawastryingtofindawaytoappeaseJagangbytellinghimwhateverhewantedtohear.Once she was sure that Jagang’s attention was back on the book, Kahlan

immediately started for the guards. As one was again eyeing Jillian withincreasingly open lust,Kahlan carefully pulled a longknife fromhisweaponsbelt.Withoutdelay,shemovedtothefarguardanddidthesame,takinghislongknifeaswell.Standingbehindthem,sheglancedtotheSistersandJagangand,seeingthem

still busy, she looked over at Jillian. The girl, wiping her palms on her hips,noddedthatshewasready.Kahlanreachedtothemanontherightanddrewaknifehecarriedinasheath

hanging from a strap on his side. She placed the blade sideways between herteeth.Without lingeringany longer, shescrutinized the lowerbacksof theguards,

selectingtheprecisespotssheneededtohit.Shechosetherightsideofthemanon her left, and the left side of theman on her right, so that shewould havetargets closest together and shewouldbe able to put her full strength into thethrust.Shelookedbackandforthbetweenthemen,makingsurethatshewouldhit

therightspotwitheachknife.Ifshemissed,itwouldbefatal,butnotnecessarilyforthemen.ItwouldbeJillianwhopaidthepriceofanerror.Ithadtoberight,andithadtoberightthefirsttime.Kahlan took a deep breath, holding it only briefly, then she exhaled hard,

addingthatpowertotheforcesheputintoherthrust.Withallherstrength,sheplungedbothknivesintothemen’sbacks.Thebladeswentinuptothehilts.Bothmenstiffenedatthejoltingshock.Kahlanhadalreadydrawnanotherbreath.Thistime,asquicklyasshecould,

she forced out the breath and used all her considerable strength to pull thehandles together toward one another so that the blades would pivot and rip

throughthemen’skidneys.Themenstoodfrozenstiffandslightlytwisted,backsarchedwiththeintense

wallop of excruciating pain.Their eyes bulged, theirmouths opened, but theymadenosound.Theystoodinmortaltrauma,unabletodrawinagasporletoutacry.WhenKahlan lookedup, Jillianwasalreadyonherway.Kahlan turnedand

swiftlyopenedoneofthenarrowdoors.Shedidn’twanttogivetheirpursuersaclearpathbyopeningboth.Jillianwas there.Themen’s kneesbeganbuckling.Kahlanput her handon

Jillian’s back, between her shoulders, and pushed her through the doorway,propellingheroutintothehallway.Kahlantooktheknifefromherteeth.“Run.Don’tstopforanything.”Jilliannoddedback.ShelookedasiftheKeeperhimselfwereonherheels.Kahlanturnedtoclosethedoor,butjustthenthemenhitthefloor.Fourstartledfacesspunaroundtowardher.Kahlanpulledthedoorclosedand

ranasiftheKeeperwereafterher,too.ShesawJillianinthedimdistancejustasshereachedanintersectionwherea

junctureofbranchesofpassageswentoffindifferentdirections.Thegirlpaused,lookingbackatKahlan.Theysharedabrieflookfilledwithmeaning,andthenshewasgone,vanisheddownoneofthepassages.ItwassodarkinthedistancethatKahlanwasn’tsurewhichoneJillianhadtaken.Behindcameanexplosivesplinteringofwood,asifthedoorshadbeenblown

apart. Torchlight suddenly spilled through the hall, surrounding Kahlan. Sheimmediatelystoppedandspunback.Shegrippedtheknifebythepoint.Shesawshadowsintheroomrushingtowardthegapingdoorway.With all her strength she heaved the knifewithout there evenbeing anyone

there,yet,inthatdoorway.An enraged Sister Cecilia burst through first. The knife slammed into her

chest. Kahlan had hoped it would be Jagang first through, but she had beenpretty sure itwould be a Sister, so she had aimed accordingly.The blade hadflowntrue,andplungedrightthroughSisterCecilia’sheart.TheSisterwentdownhard.Kahlanturnedandranwithallherstrength.Just

asshehadturned,shehadseentheothersfalloverthebodyofSisterCecilia.Kahlanranasshehadneverrunbefore.Shetookthefirstcorner totheleft.

Shedidn’tknowwhich turnsJillianhad taken,butshedidn’t seeher.Thegirlwasgone.AflushofpureexhilarationwashedthroughKahlan,fillingherverysoulwith

thethrillofsuccess.Ithadworked.ShehadkeptherpromisetoJillian,andto

herself.Shehadatleastbeatentheminthismuchofit.Shewasgiddywiththevictoryevenassheranlikeamadwoman.Shehadnot

onlykilledthe twoguardsbut takenoutSisterCecilia. Imagesof thepainthatwoman had given her, and the satisfaction she had derived from it, flashedthroughKahlan’smind,andshesavoredhervengeance.Nowthatithadworked,andJillianwasaway,terrorfloodedupthroughher.

Sheknewshewouldn’tgetaway.Allshecoulddowasrun,takingrandomturns,andwaitfortheend.Itcamewithasuddenshockofpainshethoughtmustbesomethinglikewhat

thetwomenhadfelt.Sheknewshehittheground,butshedidn’treallyfeelit.Andthenitfeltasiftheentireceilinganddeadcityaboveallcavedinontop

ofher.Theworldwentasblackasagrave.

Chapter40Richardwaswindedbythetimehehadfinallycrestedtherise.Itwasn’tjust

thathewasoutofbreath,though;hewasoutofstrengthaswell.Heknewthathehadn’t taken the time toeatasmuchashe shouldhavealong theway,andnowhewaspaying theprice for it.His legs felt like lead.His stomachachedwithhunger.Hefeltweakandjustwantedtoliedown,buthecouldn’t,notnow,notwhenhewasthisclose.Notwhentherewassomuchatstake.He’d eaten some pine nuts and a few handfuls of huckleberries he’d come

acrossashewentalong,buthehadn’tgoneoutofhiswaytocollectanymore.Hejusthadn’twantedtotakethetime.Atleasthehadhispackwithhim,sothenightbeforehehadbeenabletoset

outafishinglineinasmalllakejustatsunset.Hethencollectedanarmloadofdrywoodandstartedafirewithaflintandsteel.Bythetimethefirewashothehadthreetroutonhissetline.Hehadbeensohungrythathe’dbeentemptedtoeatthemraw,butfishcookedquickly,sohewaited.Notwantingtostopanylongerthannecessary,he’dgottenlittlesleeponthe

shortjourneyfromthesliph.Hereasonedthatthesoonerhegothishandsonthebook thatBaraccushad left forhim, thebetteroffhewouldbe.Thebookhadalreadybeenwaitingthereforhimforthreethousandyears.Hedidn’twantittowaitanothernight.Hethoughtabouthow,ifhehadbeensmartenoughtofindthe book sooner, hemight have avoided the problems he now faced. HewashopingthatitcouldsomehowhelphiminfindingKahlan,maybeevenhelphimfindawaytoreversethetaintedChainfirespell.He’d reasoned that the best plan would be to recover the book as soon as

possible;thenhecoulddosomereadingwhilehetookthetimetoeat.HewouldworrythenaboutsleepingandgettingbacktotheKeep.TheKeepwasalongwayoff.Hedidn’tknowexactlywherehewas,except

thathewasagooddistancesouthofAgadenReachinwhatappearedtobeanuninhabitedareaeithernearorinthewilds,sohewasconcernedabouthowhewasgoingtofindsomehorses.Oneproblematatime,heremindedhimself,oneproblematatime.Asdifficultasithadbeentoundertaketheclimbupthesteep,rockyriseinthe

dark,hecouldn’tbringhimselftostopwhenheknewthathewasclose.Besides,ifhewantedtoseethenightwisps,itcouldonlybeatnight,sohedidn’twanttowaituntilmorningtomaketheclimbandthenhavetowaitaroundallthenextdayforittogetdarkagain.Finallyreachingthetop,Richardscannedtheareatogethisbearings.Above

the edgeof the steep slope theground leveledoff into a sparselywoodedoak

grove.Thebreeze fromearlier in thedayhaddiedhoursago,at sunset,and itwasnowdeadcalm.Thesilencefelt likeanoppressiveweightlyingoverhim.Forsomereason,thetypicalnightsoundsofsmallanimals,insects,andsuchthatwerecommoninthelowlandsstretchingoutendlesslybehindhimweresilentupatthetopofthelongclimb.In the moonlight, Richard immediately noticed that there was something

wrongwith the trees. It looked as if theywere all dead.The fat, squat trunkswere twistedandgnarled.Thebarkhadstarted tocomeaway in raggedstrips.Thebentanddistortedbrancheslookedlikeclawsreachingouttosnatchanyonewhodaredentertheplace.Richardhadbeenfocusedatthetrekandtheclimb,buthesuddenlyswitched

tobeingonguard,hisattentionrivetedashelistenedforanysoundintheeeriesilence.Hemovedcarefullybeneath the trees, trying tomakeas littlenoiseaspossible. Itwasdifficult, though, since thegroundwas litteredwithdry sticksand leaves. The branches looming overhead cast grotesque shadows in themoonlight,andtheairhadachilltoitthatranashiveruphisback.Withthenextstep,somethingunderfootbrokewithanodd,bonypop.Inall

theyearshe’dspentinthewoods,Richardhadneverheardasoundlikethat.He froze in place, listening, waiting. His mind raced as he went over the

memory of the sound, trying to come up with its cause. Try as hemight, hecouldn’t place it. When he heard nothing more, and saw nothing move, hecarefullybackedup,liftinghisfootoffwhateveritwasthathadbroken.Aftercheckingineverydirection,appraisingeveryshadow,hesquatteddown

to seewhat itwas thathehad steppedon.Whatever itwas, itwas covered inleaves.Hecautiouslypushedthedecayingleavesaside.There,half-buriedintheforestloam,darkwithage,wasabrokenhumanskull

staringupathim.Theweightofhisfoothadbrokenin theroundedtopof theskull.Theeyesockets,whichseemedtobewatchinghim,werestillintact.Richard scanned the forest floor and sawother humpsunder the leaves.He

alsosawsomethingelse:moreskullsthatweren’tburiedbeneaththeforestlitter.Justfromwherehecrouched,hecouldseeagoodhalf-dozenskullslyingatleastpartially atop leaves, and evenmore rounded shapes below them.Beneath theleaveshefoundtherestof thebonesthatbelongedtotheskullhehadsteppedon.He stood slowly and began moving again, scrutinizing the ground, the fat,

twistedtreetrunks,aswellasthelimbsoverheadashewent.Hesawnooneandheardnothing.Now that he knew what he was looking for, he was able to spot skulls

seeminglyeverywhere.Hestoppedcountingoncehe’dreachedthirty.Thebonesappearedscattered,notbunchedtogetherasifpeoplehadalldiedtogetheroringroups.Withafewexceptions,theyappearedtohavebeenindividualswhohaddied at those particular places. He supposed that the bodies might have beenplacedthere;hehadnowayofreallyknowing.Thefewexceptionswereskullsclose together,buthe reasoned thatmighthavebeenchance—peoplewhohadhappenedtohavefallennearanotherbody.Richard crouched down to inspect a number of the skulls, both those lying

exposedand thoseburiedbeneath the litter.His initial thoughtwas that itwaspossibly thesiteofabattle,butasnearashecould tell in themoonlight thesepeoplehadnotdiedatthesametime.Thereweresomebonesthatweresound,whileothersweremolderingaway.Someappearedsoancientthattheyfellapartwhenhetouchedthem.Theplacewaslikeagraveyard,butwithallofthebodiesaboveground,ratherthanbeingburied.Theotherthingthathenoticedwasthatnopredatorslookedtohavedisturbed

thedead.Richardhad comeacross remains in thewoodswhenhehadbeen aguide.Animalsalwaysgotatthedead,humanorotherwise.Itlookedasifeachoneofthesebodies,though,hadrottedawayovertime,leavingtheboneslyingintheexactsamepositioninwhichthepersonhadfallen—ontheirsides,orwitharmssprawled,or facedown.Nonehadbeen laidoutas if inburial,witharmsneatly crossed on their chests, or at their sides. They looked simply to havefallendead.Itstillmightnothaveseemedquitesopeculiarexceptthatnotoneofthecorpseslookedtohavebeentouchedbyanypredator.AsRichardwalkedendlesslythroughtheoakgrove,hewonderedifitwould

everend.Onamoonless,cloudynight,orevenacloudydayforthatmatter, itwas the kind of place where it would have been easy to get lost. Everythinglookedthesame.Thetreeswerespacedevenly,andtherewasnothingtoindicateifhewasgoingintherightdirection,exceptthemoonandstars.Forwhatseemedlikehalfthenight,Richardmovedeveronwardthroughthe

forestofthedead.Hewassurethathehadfollowedthedirectionsthesliphhadgivenhim.Thesliph,however,hadnowaytoknowexactlywhathewouldfind;she had only been given directions from Baraccus, and that had been threethousandyearsbefore.ThelandscapecouldhavechangedagreatdealsincethetimeofBaraccus.Thebones,though,didn’tlooktobeanywherenearthatold.Ofcourse,itcouldbethatlyingintheoakgrovetherewerebonesthousandsofyearsold,butbynowthosewouldhaveallcrumbledtodust.AsRichardcontinuedon, thewoodsbegangrowingmurkier,untilhe found

himself entering the black shadows of a dark forest of immense pines, their

trunks standingclose together andeachnearly asbig ashishouseback in theHartlandwoodshadbeen.Itwaslikeencounteringawallofmountainsthatroseupintothesky.Thetrunks,likepillars,wereclearofbranchesuntilsomewhereupout of sight.But those branches completely closed off the sky and left theforestfloorbelowadarkandconfusingmazeamongthemassivetrunks.Richard paused, considering how hewould keep to a direction in the pitch

blackness that layaheadwhilebeingunable tomove inanything resemblingastraightline.Thatwaswhenheheardthewhispers.Hecockedhishead,listening,tryingtomakeoutthewords.Hecouldn’t,so

hecarefullysteppeddeeperintothegloom,lettinghiseyesadjusttothedarknessbeforetakingafewmoresteps.Beforelonghebegantobeabletomakeouttheshapes of the trees ahead, so he moved forward, ever deeper into the closecanyonsamongthetrunksofthemonumentalpines.“Goback,”cameawhisper.“Who’sthere?”hewhisperedback.“Goback,” saida faint littlevoice, “or stay foreverwith thebonesof those

whohavecomebeforeyou.”“I’vecometospeakwiththenightwisps,”Richardsaid.“Thenyouhave come for nothing.Go, now,” the voice repeatedwithmore

strength.Richardtriedtolaythesoundofthewordsoverhismemoryofwhatawisp

soundedlike.Whileitwasn’tthesame,itdidhavequalitiesincommon.“PleasecomeforwardsothatImaytalkwithyou.”Only silence surrounded him.Richardmoved ahead a dozen paces into the

darkness.“Lasttimewarned,”cametheeerievoice.“Go,now.”“Ihavecomealongway.I’mnotgoingbackwithoutspeakingwiththewisps.

Thisisimportant.”“Nottous.”Richardstoodwithonehandonahipashe tried toconceiveofwhat todo

next.Hewasfarfromclearheaded.Hiswearinesswashamperinghisthinking.“Yes,thisisimportanttoyou,too.”“How?”“IhavecomeforwhatBaraccusleftforme.”“Sodidthosewhosebonesyouhavepassed.”“Look, this is important.Your lives ultimately dependupon this aswell. In

thisstruggletherewillbenouninvolvedbystanders.Allwillbedrawnintothestorm.”“Thestoriesyouhaveheardaboutatreasureareemptylies.Thereisnothing

here.”“Treasure?No—youdon’tunderstand.That’snotwhat this isaboutatall. I

thinkyoumisunderstandme.I’vealreadypassedthetestsBaraccusleftforme—that’s why I’m here. I’m Richard Rahl. I’m married to Kahlan Amnell, theMotherConfessor.”“Wedon’tknowthispersonyouspeakof.Gobacktoherwhileyoustillcan.”“No, that’s thepoint, Ican’t. I’mtryingtofindher.”Frustrated,Richardran

hisfingersbackintohishair.Hedidn’tknowhowmuchtimehemighthavetosay what he needed to say, or how much he should leave out, if he was toconvincethewispsofhistruereasonforbeingthere—toconvinceithemtohelphim.“Youonceknewher.MagicwasusedagainstKahlantomakeeveryoneforget

her.Youknewher, too, but you forgot her like everyone else.Kahlanused tocomehere.InherroleastheMotherConfessorshefoughttoprotectthelandofthenightwispsandtokeepothersout.“She toldmeabout thebeautiful landof thenightwisps.She toldmeabout

theopenfieldsinancient,remoteforests.Shehasbeenamongthewispsastheygatherattwilighttodancetogetherinthegrassesandwildflowers.“Shetoldmethatshespentmanyanightlyingonherbackinthegrassasthe

wispsgatheredaroundher,speakingwithherofthingscommontobothofyourlives:ofdreamsandhopes,ofloves.“Please,thewispsknewher.Shewasyourfriend.”Richard saw, then, a tiny light come out from behind a tree. “Go, or your

boneswillremainoutthere,withtheotherswhoseektreasure,andnoonewilleverseeyouagainorknowwhatbecameofyou.”“IfIneedgoldIearnit.Ihavenointerestintreasure.”Thetinysparkoflightstartedaway.“Notalltreasureisgold.”As it glided into the distance, the shafts of spinning light played over the

trunksoftreesitpassed.“IknewShar,”Richardcalledout.Thelightpaused.Itstoppedspinning.For a moment, Richard watched as the spark of light hung there, in the

distance, faintly illuminating the closely gathered monarchs of the foreststandinglikesentriesforwhatlaybeyond..“Youdidnotcomebecauseofthelegendsthattherewastreasuretobefound

here?”“No.”“Whatdoyouknowofthenameyouspoke?”“I was with Shar after she went through the boundary. Shar crossed that

boundarytohelpstopthethreatfromDarkenRahl.SharcrossedtheboundarytohelpintheefforttofindmesothatI,too,couldhelpinthatstruggle.Beforeshedied,SharsaidthatifIeverneededthehelpofthenightwisps,thenIshouldsayhernameandtheywouldhelpme,fornoenemymayknowit.”Richard pointed back toward the grove of dead oaks, where the forgotten,

moldering remains reposed. “I have a feeling that none of the people whosebonesliebackthereknewhername,orthenameofanywisp.”The light slowly returned through the trees, finallycoming toa stopnot far

from him. He could feel the softly glowing shafts of light gliding over thecontoursofhisface.Theyalmostfeltlikethefainttouchofaspider’sweb.Richardtookasmallstepcloser.“IspokewithSharbeforeshedied.Shesaid

thatshecouldnotliveawayfromthoseofherkindanylonger,andshedidnothavethestrengthtoreturntoherhomeplace.“Shegavememyfirst testfromBaraccus.Shesaidthatshebelievedinme,

believedthatIhadinsidemewhatittakestoprevail.Itwasamessagefromhim.Sheaskedmeaboutsecrets.”Thetinylightturnedawarm,rosycolorasitspuninsilenceforamoment.“Andyoupassedhertest?”“No,”Richardadmitted.“Itwastoosoonformetounderstanditall.Later,I

finallycame tounderstand.Thesliphsaid that Ihavenowpassed the test thatBaraccusleftforme.”“Whatisyourname?”“IgrewupnamedRichardCypher.Since then I’ve come to learn that I am

RichardRahl. I have been called by other names aswell: theSeeker; the oneborntrue;thebringerofdeath;RichardwiththeTemper;thePebbleinthePond;andCaharin.Doesoneofthosenamesmeananythingtoyou?”“DoesthenameGhazimeananythingtoyou?”“Ghazi?”Richardthoughtamoment.“No.Shouldit?”“Itmeans‘fire.’Ghaziwasgiventhatnamebyprophecy.Ifyouweretheone,

youwouldknowthatname,too.”“I’msorry,butIdon’t.Idon’tknowwhy,butIcantellyouthatIdon’thold

muchwithprophecy.”“Iamverysorry,butmiseryhascometothisland.Thewispsareinatimeof

suffering.Wecannothelpyou.Youshouldgonow.”

The wisp began leaving again, spinning as it floated off into the toweringtrees.Richardtookastepforward.“SharsaidthatifIneededthehelpofthewisps,

theywouldhelpme!Ineedyourhelp!”The littlepointof lightpausedagain.Richardgot thedistinct impressionby

the way it hovered motionless that it was considering something. After amoment,itslowlybeganrotating,castingoffshimmeringbeamsoflight.Itcamepartwayback.ThewispthenspokeanamethatRichardhadnotheardspokenaloudinmany

years.Hisbloodturnedtoice.“Anddoesthisnamemeananythingtoyou?”thewispasked.“Howdoyouknowmymother’sname?”Richardwhispered.Thewispslowlydrewcloser.“Many,manyseasonsago,Ghaziwentthrough

adarkboundarytofindher,tohelpher,totellherofherson,totellhermanythings she needed to know,many things her son would need to know. Ghazineverreturned.”Richardstared,hiseyeswide.“Whatdo thewispsdo in theday?When it’s

light?”The wisp, like nothing more than a glowing silver ember, slowly spun,

throwingshaftsof lightacrossRichard’s face.“Wegowhere it isdark.Wedonotlikebeinginthelight.”“Doesfirehurtyou?”Theshaftsoflightdimmed.“Firecankillus.”“Dearspirits…”Richardwhispered.Thewispcamecloser,theshimmeringlightbrightening…again,asitseemed

tostudyhisface.“Whatisit?”“WhatwastheprophecyaboutGhazi?”Richardasked.Theslowlyspinninglightpaused.“TheprophecywasaboutGhazi’sdeath.It

saidhewoulddieinfire.”Richard’s eyes closed for amoment. “Many seasons ago,when Iwas but a

boy,mymotherdiedinafire.”Thewispremainedsilent.“I’msorry,”RichardsaidinasmallvoiceasShota’swordsrangthroughhis

head. “I think Ghazi died in my home. Our house caught on fire. After mymotherbroughtmybrotherandmesafelyout,shewentbackinforsomething—weneverknewwhat.Shewasprobablyovercomebythesmoke.Shenevercameout.Ineversawheragain.Shediedintheblaze.

“IthinkshewentbackforGhazi.IthinkmymotherandGhazidiedtogetherinthatfire,withouthimevercompletinghispurpose.”Thewispseemedtowatchhimforatime.“Iamsorryforwhathappenedto

yourmother.Afterallthistime,tearsstillcometoyou.”Richardhadrunoutofwordsandcouldonlynod.Thewispagainstartedspinningfaster.“ThenameRichardCypheristhename

weknowyouas.Come,RichardCypher,andwewilltellyouwhatGhaziwenttotellyourmother.”

Chapter41Richardfollowedthesparklingpointoflightintotheancientstandoftimber,a

placeofquietandpeace.Hehadneverseentreesthisbig.Itstruckhimasoddthatcreaturessotinywouldliveamongtreessobig.It seemed like theywalked for hours, thoughRichardknew that it only felt

thatwaybecausehewassodrained.Whentheyat lastemergedfromthetreesintoavastclearing,Richardcouldhardlybelievehiseyes.ItwasjustasKahlanhad described it. The grassy meadow sparkled with hundreds of night wispsgliding among the tall blades of grasses andwild-flowers. The swath of starsabove,throughthegapinthetoweringpines,seemedlifelessanddeadcomparedwiththestarsinthegrass.It was a beautiful sight, but it brought pain into Richard’s heart because it

reminded him of Kahlan, of the first day he had met her, when she hadintroducedhimtoShar,ofthetimeshe’dtoldhimaboutthewisps.Kahlanandthewispswereforeverlinkedinhismind.Andnow,afterallthistime,heknewthatitwasanightwispthathismother

hadrunbackintotheburninghousetosave.Shehadnotdiedalone.Allbecauseaman thousandsofyearsbeforehadgone to theTempleof the

Winds and done something thatwould result inRichard being bornwith bothsidesofthegift,bothsidesthatthesliphsaidhenolongerhad.As Richard stepped into the grass, some of the night wisps came closer,

curioustoseethestrangeramongthem.Thewispsflashedbrighteranddimmer,asifinconversationamongthemselves.“Whatareyoucalled?”Richardaskedthewispwhohadescortedhim.“IamTam.”Richard watched wisps gliding closer, rising up the length of him, before

shootingaway.“Ournumbersdwindle,”Tarnsaid.“Suchathinghasneverhappenedbefore.

Itisatimeofsufferingforus.Wedon’tknowthecause.”“ThecauseisinpartwhyIamhere,”Richardtoldhim.“I’mhopingtofind

helpsothatIcanstopwhatiscausingthissicknessamongthewisps.IfIdon’tsucceed,youwillallvanishfromtheworld.”Tarnconsideredinsilenceforatime.OtherswhohadheardRichard’swords

driftedaway,sinkingintothedarkplacesinthegrass,asifseekingaquietplacetoweep.Some,though,camecloser.“ManyhereknewGhazi,”Tarnsaid.“Theymisshim.Canyoutellusanyof

what he said before his life was gone? The way you have spoken of Shar’s

words?”“I’msorry,Tam,butIneversawGhazi.Ineverknewthathehadcometosee

mymother.Ghaziandmymothermusthavediedbeforehehadachancetotellusanythingofhisreasonforbeingthere.”Richardwonderedifthathadbeenthereasonforthefire.Manyof thewisps dimmed, as if in disappointment that he could tell them

noneofGhazi’slastwords.Richardrememberedhispurposeandturnedtohisguide.“Please,Tam,Ihavecomeforanimportantreasonthat,asIsaid,mayinthe

end help thewispswithwhat they suffer. I have come because Baraccus leftsomethinghereforme.Hislibraryishere.Hesenthiswifewithabookforme.”“Magda,” one of the nearby wisps said. He wasn’t sure which one was

speaking,butitsoundeddecidedlymorefemininethanTam.“That’sright.”“Thiswas longbeforeour time,”shesaid,“but thewordsofBaraccushave

beenpasseddowntous.Westillholdthesecretsheaskedustokeep.IamJass.Come.TamandIwillshowyou.”Tam and Jass led Richard off through the silky grass, toward the towering

treestohisleft.Amongthetrees,awayfromtheopenmeadow,itwasagainlikedescendingintoadarkworld.Onlythetwowispsgavehimenoughlighttoseehisway.“Howfar?”Richardasked.“Notfar,”saidJass.“Itisaplacewithinourrealm,”saidTam,“aplacewherewecanwatchover

andprotectit.Overthemillenniatheseedofstoriesplantedinthefertilesoilofbitsandscrapsoffactswaswateredbywishesandbegantotakerootandgrow.Eventually,abountiful fruitof rumorsburst forth, tobespreadon thewindofwhispers that saidwe hid a fabled hoard of gold.Nothing could convince thebelieversthatitwasnottrue.Thetruthdoesnotglitterforthesepeoplelikegolddoes.Theirdreamofreapingunearnedwealthwassostrongforthemthattheywouldrathersacrificeeverythingtrulyprecioustothemthanacceptthetruththatitwasanemptybelief.”“What we hide is not a treasure,” Jass said, “but a promise made by our

ancestors.”“Itisatreasure,ofasort,”Richardtoldthem.“Totherightperson,anyway.”WhatseemednotfartothemseemedquitefartoRichard.Itwasgettingever

more exhausting for him to put one leg in front of the other. His stomachgrowledwithhungerastheymovedthroughthesilentwood.

IthadtobesomewheredeepinthemiddleofthenightwhenthetreesopenedupandRichardcouldseeatlast,illuminatedbythesilveredmoonlight,avalleyspreadoutfarbelow.Lushforestscarpetedthebowlofthevalley,withthematoftreesascendingtheslopesofmountaincloseinoneachside.Theplacewherehestoodoverlookingthelengthofthevalleywasnotonlyacommandingspot,butaplacewithhauntinglybeautifulviewsofthethingsthatRichardhadalwaysloved.Heachedtobeabletoexploresuchaplace,tobedowninthosewoods…but to be there with Kahlan. Without her, beauty was only a word. WithoutKahlansmilingathim,theworldwasemptyanddead.“This is the place of the library that Master Baraccus left with us for

safekeeping,”Tarnsaid.Richardlookedaround.Hesawonlyferns,somevinestrailingdownfromthe

darknessabove,andthemassivetrunksofthepinesstandingwithhimattherimoftheoverlook.“Where?”heasked.“Idon’tseeabuildinganywhere.”“Here,”Jasssaidasshedrifteddowntoasmallboulder,comingtorestatopit.

“Underhereisthelibrary.”Richardscratchedhisscalp.Itseemedanoddplaceforalibrary.Butthenhe

recalledfindingtheentrancetothelibraryinCaskaunderagravestone.Inlightofthat,thismademoresense.Abuildingmighthavelongagobeendiscoveredandraided.Hebentandputhisshoulderagainst the rock, inacurvedniche thatwasn’t

sharp.Hewas sure thathewasn’t strongenough tomove suchahuge slabofstone,butheputallhisweightagainstthestonesocketanyway.Withgreateffortitslowlybegantopivottotheside.Thewispscameclose,lookingwithRichardatwhatlaybelow.Thestonehad

restedonasmall,carefullysmoothedlip.Therewasnohole,nostairwaydownintothegroundwithinthatlip.Richardkneltanddugatwhatwasundertherock,insidethestonelip.Itwas

soft,anddry.“Thisisjustsand.”“Yes,” Jass said. “When Magda came, she followed her husband’s

instructions,usingmagic,andfilledwhatwasbelow.”Richardwasincredulous.“Withsand?”“Yes,”Jasssaid.“Howmuchsand?”Richardasked.Hewasn’tlookingforwardtodiggingout

asand-filledhole,nomatterhowsmallitturnedouttobe.“Youseethatsmallriverdowninthevalley?”Jassasked.

Richard squinted in thedimmoonlight.He saw the sparkling reflectionsoffthewaterwanderingamongsandbars.“Yes,Iseeit.”“Thewordspasseddowntous,”Jasssaid,“saythatMagdabroughtwithhera

powerful spell fromBaraccus.Sheused it to create awhirlwind thatdrew thesandupfromtheriverbanks,andfunneled it into thishole,here, fillingup theplacebelowtoprotectit.”“Protectit?”Richardasked.“Fromwhat?”“Fromanywhomightmakeitthisfar.Thissandismeanttofoilanyone.who

mightcomeforwhatisdownthere.”“Well,Isupposethatiftherewasenoughsandthatwouldcertainlyslowthem

down.”Richardlookedoversuspiciouslyatthetwowispsspinningslowlyinthemoonlight.“Howmuchsandisdownthere,anyway?”Tam floated out past the edge of the drop-off. “You see that ledge down

there?”Richard carefully leaned over the edge of the cliff and looked. It had to be

severalhundredfeetdowntothenarrowstoneshelf.“Iseeit.”“Thatishowfardowntheroomsofthelibraryaretobefound.”“Theroomsof the libraryareburiedunderall thissand—downthere,at the

bottom?”“Yes,”Tamsaid.Richardwasdumbfounded.Therehadtobeapalace-worthofsand.“HowamItodigsuchathingout?Itwouldtakeforevertoaccomplishsucha

thing.”Tarnreturned,comingclosetohisface.“Maybe.ButBaraccussaidthatifyou

weretheone,youwouldknowwhattodo.”“IfI’mtheone?”Richardfelttheweightofdiscouragement,likeamountain

ofsandontopofhim.“WhydoIalwayshavetobetheone?”Tarnspunforamoment.“Thatisnotforustosay.”Richardgroanedwiththedisappointmentofbeingsoclosebutsofar.“IfI’m

theone,thenwhycouldn’thejustleaveamessageformesothatIwouldknowwhattodo?”TarnandJassweresilentforamoment,asifthinking.“Well,therewasoneotherthingpasseddown,”Jassfinallysaid.“Whatwouldthatbe?”“Baraccussaidthatthewispswouldhavetoguardthisforagesandages,but

whenthesandsoftimehadfinallyrunout,theonewhowasmeanttohavethebookwould be here and take itwith him.” Jass spun closer. “Does that help,RichardCypher?”Richardwipedahandacrosshisface.Whycouldn’tBaraccussimplytellhim

howtorecoverSecretsofaWarWizard’sPower!MaybeBaraccusthoughtthatthemanwhowasmeanttohavethebookmustalreadyhavemasteredhispowerto the point where this would present no obstacle. Maybe he thought thatRichardshouldknowhowtospinamagicalwhirlwindandsuckoutthesand.Ifthatwasso,thenRichardwasnottheone.Notonlydidhenotknowhowtousehispowerbut,sincebeinginthesliph,henolongerhadhisgift.As far asRichardwasconcerned, the sandsof timehadalready runout for

him.TheSistersoftheDarkhadputtheboxesofOrdeninplay;thechimeshadcontaminated theworldof life,beginning thedestructionofmagic,whichwasprobablythegreatmiserythewispsweresuffering;andthearmyoftheImperialOrderwas rampagingunchecked through theNewWorld.Butworst of all forhim, personally, Kahlan had been abducted, was under the influence of theChainfirespell,anddesperatelyneededhishelp.Andherehestood,waitingforthesandsoftimetorunout.Richardtookhishandawayfromhisfaceashefrowned.Heleanedoutover

theedgeofthecliff,lookingdownattheledgefarbelow.Thesandsoftime.He looked to the left side and studied the rock. He didn’t see anything he

coulduse there, but on the right he thought he sawaway to use the rocks toclimbdown.Heswunghispackoffhisbackandsetitonthegroundwhilehedugouthiscampshovelandhastilyassembledit.“‘Whenthesandsoftimehadfinallyrunout,theonewhowasmeanttohave

thebookwouldbehereandtakeitwithhim,’“hequoted.“Isn’tthatwhatyousaid?”“Yes,”Jasssaid,“Thatiswhatweweretold.”Richard gazed out over the cliff again. “I have to go down there, to that

ledge,”hetoldthewisps.“Wewillcomeandlighttheway,”Tarnsaid.Richardwastednotimeclimbingdownthesideoftherockprecipice.Itturned

outtobejustasdifficultashehadjudgeditwouldbe,butitdidn’ttakelongandhewassoonstandingonthenarrowshelffarbelowthetopwherehehadpivotedtheboulderoutoftheway.Hesearchedaround,pickingatthefaceoftherockwall,untilhefoundwhat

hewas looking for.He immediately started digging, chipping, and prying outrocksthathadbeensotightlyjammedinthatitwashardtotellforsureinthe

poor light of themoonand twowisps if it reallywaswhathe thought itwas.When rock began coming out, his confidence level rose. The more rockfragmentshepulledout,theeasieritwastogetoutmore.Hehadtoworkcarefullytofreesomeofthelargerstones;onewrongstepand

he could slip and fall off the narrow ledge. Some of the boulders back in thegrowingholewere larger thanhecouldhave lifted,sohehad torollandwalkthemoutoftheever-expandingopening.Fortunately,hewasabletoloosentherockbeneathmostof themand thenroll themout.Hestood to thesideon thenarrow ledgeand let the rocks andboulders tumbleoutpasthim.Hewatchedthem sail out into the night air, falling soundlessly until they finally crasheddownintotheforestfarbelow.Suddenly,when the shovel broke through to something soft, the rest of the

rock plug began to let go with a grating sound and abruptly burst out in acascadeoffragments.Richardhadtoduckoutoftheway.Witharumblingroar,thesandfollowedinacolumnpouringfaroutintospacebeforebeginningtoarcdownward.Richardstoodwithhisbackpressedagainsttherockwall,hisheartpounding

fromthesurpriseofthesuddenexplosiveclearingoftheopeningintothehollowinteriorofthecliff.Thetwowispsspunastheywatchedtheamazingsight.Oneof them,Richardwasn’t surewhichone, followed thecolumnofsandoutanddownforawaysbeforereturning.Itseemedtogoonforever,butthelastofthesandfinallydwindledawayasit

pouredoutofthehole,leavingonlysmallamountstodrizzleoutinfits.Richardwastednotimeclimbingintothehole.“Comeon,”hecalledbackto

thewisps.“Ineedlight.”The twowispsobliged,passingover the topsofhis shoulders to enter first.

Oncepasthim they lit thechamberbeyond.Richardstoodup inside,brushinghimselfoffashegazedaroundatshelvesfilledwithbooks.Itwasastoundingtothink that he was the first person who had stood in this place since MagdaSearus,thewomanwhowouldbecomethefirstConfessor.That reminded him ofKahlan, and his need to find her, so he immediately

startedlookingaround.Itappearedarathersimplelibrary,withadoorwayatthefarsidethathecouldseeleddeeperintotheinteriorofthecliff.Hesawshadowsofdoorways,andcircularstairs.Despitethesandpouringoutofthehole,therewasstillalotofsandcoveringeverything.Itwouldtakesometimetocleantheplaceandreallytellwhatwasthere.Totheright,though,onastonepedestalagainstablankstonewall,satabook

allbyitself.Richardlifteditoffthestandandblewthesandanddustoffofit.

OnthecoveritsaidSecretsofaWarWizard’sPower.Hisfingersgentlyglidedoverthegiltlettersonthecoverasheagainreadthe

wordsmeantforhim.It was an awe-inspiring feeling to realize that a war wizard, First Wizard

Baraccushimself,hadmade thisverybook for thepersonwhowouldbebornwith the power that he saw to it would be released from the Temple of theWinds.RichardhadatlastfoundthetreasurethatBaraccushadleftforhim.A night wisp hovered over each shoulder, watching him as he reverently

stared at the book that would finally answer his questions, that would finallyhelphimmasterhisgift.Finally, his heart pounding,Richardopened the cover to seewhatBaraccus

wantedhimtoknow.Thefirstpagewasblank.Richardturnedovermorepages,buttheywereallblank.Hethumbedthrough

theentirebookand,otherthanthewordsonthecover,hefoundthattheentirebookwascompletelyblank.Richardsqueezedhistemplesbetweenthefingersandthumbofonehand.He

thoughthemightbesick.“Caneitherofyouseeanythingonthepages?”“No,”Jasssaid.“Sorry.”“Iseenomarksofwritingatall,”Tarnadded.Richardrealized,then,whattheproblemwas.Hisheartsank.Secrets of a War Wizard’s Power was an instruction book on the use of a

specific formof thegift.Thebook involvedmagic.For some reason,Richardhad been cut off from his gift.Without that gift to assist him, whatever waswritten on the pages would not stay in his mind. He would forget the wordsbeforehecouldrememberreadingthem.Just as he no longer remembered a single word of The Book of Counted

Shadows,hecouldnotrememberthewordsofSecretsofaWarWizard’sPowerlong enough to remember having seen any words.Without the gift, it wouldappearblanktohim.Untilhecouldfigureoutwhatwaswrongwithhisgift,hewouldn’tbeableto

readthisbook.“I’llhavetotakethiswithme,”Richardtoldthewisps.“JustasBaraccussaidyouwould,RichardCypher,”Tarnsaid.RichardwonderedifBaraccussomehowknewthis,aswell.Whetherhedidor

not,Richarddidn’thavetimetoponderit.Heclimbedbackoutoftheholeanduptherockfaceofthecliff.

Henoticedthattherockjuttedoutovertheopeningintothelibrary,probablysothatwaterwouldn’teatawayattheplugovertimeorworkitswayinside.Thesandhadtobedrynotonlysothatthebooksinsidewouldn’tberuined,butsothat itwouldpourout.Richarddecided that for the timebeing the librarywasrelativelysafefromrain.Atthetopofthecliff,hestoredthevaluableblankbookawayinhispack.He

sawthatinsidethestonerim,wheretherehadbeensandbefore,therewasnowaspiral stairway down into the darkness below. To make sure that no onediscovered the library, he struggled mightily against the boulder until hemanagedtopivotitintoplace.Pantingfromtheexertion,heswunghispackupontohisback.Hismindwas

racing with a thousand different thoughts. On the way back through the darkwood,Richardspokelittletothewisps,otherthantothankthemfortheirhelp.Oncetheyhadreachedthemeadowagain,hegazedoutover thesightofall

thenightwispsglidingthroughthegrassandwildflowers,somespinninginanintricatedanceas theymoved together inpairs.HewonderedhowmanymorewispstherehadbeenwhenKahlanhadbeenhere.RichardmissedKahlansomuchthatitbroughtalumptohisthroat.Shewas

hisworld.Thewholeworld,insomanyways,seemedtobeslippingaway.“Ihavetogo,”hetoldTamandJass.“IhopetousewhatIfoundheretohelp

stopthesufferingofthewisps,andothers.”“Youwillcomeback?”Jassasked.Thinkingbrieflyaboutthehiddenlibrary,Richardnodded.“Yes.AndIhope

tobringKahlanwithme,and thatby thenyouwill rememberher. Iknowshewillbeoverjoyedtoseeyouallagain.”“Whenwerememberher,”Jasssaid,“thenwewillbefilledwithjoy,too.”Unwillingtotesthisvoiceagain,Richardnoddedandthenstartedout.Tamescortedhimthroughtheancientforest,helpinghimfindtheway.Atthe

edge of the ancient trees, the wisp came to a halt. _ “Baraccus was wise tochooseyou,RichardCypher.Ibelievethatyouhaveitinyoutosucceed.Iwishyouwell.”Richardsmiledsadly.Hewishedhewasassure.Henolongerhadaccessto

thegiftwithinhim—ifitwasstilleventhere—andhehadnoideahowhewouldsucceed.MaybeZeddcouldhelp.“Thank you, Tam. You and the wisps have been good protectors of those

thingsBaraccus leftwith you. Iwill domybest to protect you, and the otherinnocentswhoareinsomuchdanger.”“Ifyoufail,RichardCypher,Iknowthatitwillnotbefromlackofefforton

your part. If you ever need our help again, as Shar told you, say one of ournamesandwewilltrytohelpyou.”Richardnoddedandstartedaway,turningoncetowave.Thewispspunarose

color for a moment and then vanished back into the trees. He suddenly feltawfullyforlornbythelightofthemoonalone.Thedeadoaksseemedtogoonforever.Heploddedalonginanumbdaze.He

neededtogetsomefoodandrest,buthewantedtogetoutofthestrangewoodandbackdownintotheforestfirst.Hesawbonesamongtherootsoftheoaks,asifthetreesweretryingtogatherinthedeadtohugthemtotheirbosoms.Somewhere in the dead wood, after walking endlessly, absorbed in his

troubledthoughts,Richardfeltasuddenchill to theair thatmadehimshudderandgaspthesharpcoldintohislungs.Itfeltasifhehadwalkedintothefangsofwinter.Whenhe looked up, he spottedwhat at first looked like an upright shadow

among the skulls. When he saw at last what it really was, another shuddershivereduphisspine.Itwasatallwomanwithblack,wiryhair.Sheworeinkyblackrobes.Herskin

wasaspaleas themoon,makinghergaunt faceseemtofloat in thedarkness.Her desiccated flesh was stretched tight over her bony features, the way heimagined the dead would have looked for a time as they lay lifeless in thisforsakenforest,waitingforthewormstodotheirwork.Her thin,menacing smilemarked her unmistakably as the sort to leave the

bonesofused-uppeopletorotinjustsuchaplace,amongthemolderingdead.Richardfeltsocoldhecouldn’tmove.Herealizedthathewasshivering,but

hecouldn’tseemtomakehimselfstop.Hecouldn’tfeelhisfingersortoes.Hewantedtomove,torun,buthecouldn’tforcehislegstomove.Hehadnogifttosummon.Hehadnoswordtodraw.Hefelthelplessinthebeguilinggazeofherblanchedblueeyes.Richard wondered if his lifeless remains would end up discarded in this

desolate place to rot, forgotten, along with all the other anonymous bones ofthosewhohadcomewithloftydreams.The woman’s arms swept up, like a raven’s wings lifting, and the night

swallowedhim.

Chapter42Kahlanever sograduallybecameawareof thebewilderingdroneofvoices,

bothnearandfar.Shewassodazed,though,thatshewasn’tsureifitwasrealorif she was only imagining it. She knew that some of the thoughts streamingendlessly through her mind had to be her imagination, despite how real theyseemed.Sheknew that shewasn’tonemoment in a flowered field among thestars,thenextmomentinthemiddleofapitchedbattlewithdesiccatedcorpsesatop horseback, and the next instant flying through the clouds atop a reddragon’sback.Itallseemedreal,butsheknewthatitcouldn’tbe.Afterall,thereweren’tanysuchthingsasdragons.Thatwasonlymyth.But if it reallywasvoices that shewashearing, shecouldn’tunderstand the

words. They came to hermore as disembodied, raw sounds, each tonal pulseresonatingpainfullywithsomethingdeepinsideher.Whatshewassureofwasthatherheadthrobbedinaslowrhythmandeach

timetheagonizingbeatsqueezed,itfeltasifherskullwouldsplitopenfromthepressure.Aseachintermittentcyclesubsided,nauseaoozedupinsideher,onlyto be forced back into relative insignificance once again by the next,overwhelminglytorturouscompression.Try as she might to open her eyes, Kahlan couldn’t lift her heavy lids. It

wouldhavetakenmorestrengththanshecouldcallforthrightthen.Besides,shefearedthattheremightbelight,andshewassurethatlightwouldhurtlikelongneedlesstabbingintoherdefenselesseyes.It felt as if someunknown, thickpressureweresuspendingher,keepingher

immobile,whileahiddenforcetorturedherunderthethrobbingpressure.Tryingdesperately to escape the grip of it, she attempted to bend her arms, but theyweretoostiff.Shetriedtomoveherlegs,oreventoliftaknee,butherlegsweretightlyencasedinthecocooning,densedarkness.Asound,possiblyaharshword,startledher,bringingherclosertothebrinkof

wakening awareness, lifting her up through the numb confusion toward theworldoflife.Thistimeshewassurethatthesoundswerevoices.Shebegantobeabletomakeouttheoccasionalword.Shementally seized those words like a lifeline and used them to help pull

herself up out of the dark dregs of unconsciousness. She breathed evenly,concentrating on the words, forcing the throbbing to the background as shelistenedcarefullyforeachword,tryingtostringthemtogetherintomeaningfulconcepts.Sherecognizedwomen’svoices,andaman’svoice.Asurlyman.The pain of being awake, though, was even more debilitating than the

dreamlikesufferingshehadfeltwhileunconscious.Realityhadawayofadding

anagonizingdimensiontothepain,aninescapablemisery,arelentlesstormentthrobbingthroughherbody.Inanefforttogethermindoffthepainshewasin,Kahlanopenedhereyes

just enough to peek out and take a careful look around. Shewas inside somekindofstructure.Itlookedsomethinglikeatentmadeofapaletancanvas,butifitreallywasatentitwasmuchlargerthananytentsherememberedeverseeingbefore.Rich carpets hung to one side, looking to serve the purpose of doubledoors.Shewaslyingonthickfursthatwereatopsomethingslightlyelevatedrather

thanbeingspreadoutonthefloor. In thehot,muggyair thefursweremakinghersweat.Atleastshewasn’tcoveredwithblankets.Shethoughtthatmaybeshehadbeenplacedtheretokeepheroutfromunderfoot.Therewasachair,withacarvedback,oppositewhereshelay,butnoonesatinit.Several lampswere set around the room on chests while others hung from

chains.Theydidlittletochaseawaythegloomyatmosphereinsidethetent,butat least the smell of the burning oil helped cover the heavy stench of sweat,animals,andmanure.Kahlanwasrelievedthatthelightdidn’thurthereyesasshe’dfeareditwould.OneoftheSisterspacedinthedimlight,likeaphantomwhocouldn’tfindher

grave.Jumbled,muffled noises fromoutside drifted through the heavy canvas and

carpetedwalls of the tent. It sounded like awhole city surrounded themutedsanctuary.Kahlancouldhearthemurmureddroneofmeninthethousandsalongwith the clop of hooves, the rattle of wagons, the braying of mules, and themetallic jangle ofweapons and armor.Men in the distance shouted orders, orlaughed,orcursed,whilethoseclosertoldstoriesshecouldn’tquitemakeout.Kahlanknewwhatthisarmywaslike.Shehadseenglimpsesofitfromafar,

been through places where they had been, and had seen those that they’dtortured, raped, and murdered. She didn’t want to ever have to go out there,amongsuchsavagesassheknewthesemenwere.When she noticed Jagang glance her way, she pretended to still be

unconscious,breathingevenly,lyingperfectlystill,andkeepinghereyesalmostclosed.Apparently thinkingshewasn’tyetawake,he lethisgazedriftback tothepacingSisterUlicia.“Itcan’tbethatsimple,”SisterArminainsistedfromwhereshestoodbesidea

table.Sheliftedhernoseinahaughtymanner.Kahlancouldjustmakeouttheedgeofabookonthattable.SisterArmina’s

extendedfingersrestedonthebook’sleathercover.

“Armina,”Jagangaskedinacalm,almostpleasantvoice,“canyouevenbegintoimaginehowentertainingitisformetobeinthemindofatroublesomeSisterthatIsendouttothetentstobepassedaroundamongmymen?”Thewomanpaled as shebackedup a stepuntil her backmet the tentwall.

“No,Excellency.”“To be there, witnessing their dread? To be in their mind, seeing how

completelyhelpless they are aspowerful hands rip their clothesoff andgropetheirbodies,as theyarepushedtothebareground, their legsforcedopen,andthey are mounted by men who consider them of no value except as a bit oflustful entertainment?Menwho have absolutely no sympathy for them at all,whodon’tcareintheleastwhatsufferingtheyinflictintheirheedlesspursuitofwhattheywant?Canyouimaginehowsatisfyingitisformetobethere,inthemindsofsuchvexatiousSisters,tobeaneyewitness,sotospeak,oftheirwell-deservedpunishment?”Hereyeswideinpanic,SisterArminaspokeinabarelyaudiblevoice.“No,

Excellency.”“ThenIsuggestthatyoustopprotestingbasednotonwhatyouthink,buton

whatyouthinkIwanttohear.I’mnotinterestedinyourbootlicking.Inmybedyoumayflattermeifyouthinkitwillgainyoufavor,whichitwon’t,butinthisI’m only interested in the truth.Your obsequious argumentswill notmake ussuccessful.Only the truthwill. Ifyouhave somethingworthwhile to say, thensayit,butstopinterruptingUliciatocriticizeheropinionwithwhatyouthinkIwanttohear,oryouwillagainbesentouttothetentssoonerratherthanlater.Doyouunderstand?”SisterArmina’sgazedroppedaway.“Yes,Excellency.”SisterUliciatookasettlingbreathasJagangturnedhisattentiononher.Her

pacingcametoahalt.Sheliftedanarmtowardthebookonthetable.“The problem is, Excellency, there is noway for us to confirm if the copy

insideistrueornot.Iknowthat’swhatyouwantustodo,andbelievemewe’vetried,butthetruthiswecan’tfindanythingthatcouldsettlethematter.”“Whynot?”“Well,ifitsays‘positiontheboxesfacingnorth,’howarewesupposedtobe

abletodetectifthatisatrueorfalseinstructionjustfromreadingit?Forallweknow,facingthemnorthcouldbeanaccuratecopyoftheoriginalmanuscript,inwhichcasenotdoingasitsayswouldprovefatal—oritcouldbeacorruptionofthetruedirectionanddoingasitsayswouldbefatal.Howarewetoknow?Youmaywish us to be able to come to a conclusion as to the book’s validity justfromreadingit,butwehavenowayofdoingthat.Iknowyoudon’twantmeto

lietosatisfyyourrequest.I’mservingyoubestbybeingtruthful.”Jagang eyed her suspiciously. “Be careful,Ulicia, not to cross the line into

fawning.I’mnotinthemood.”SisterUliciabowedherhead.“Ofcourse,Excellency.”Jagang folded his husky arms across hismassive chest and returned to the

matterathand.“Soyouthinkthatforthisreasontheoneswhomadethecopiesleftusthisotherwaytotellthefalsefromtrue?”“Yes,Excellency,”SisterUlicia said,despite lookinganxious tobe takinga

stand that she knewwould not please him. Since the emperor could read herthoughts, he would know the truth of what she honestly believed. Kahlanimagined that Sister Ulicia reasoned that her best chance of not incurring hiswrathwastobetruetoherbelief.SisterUliciawasnothingifnotsmart.“Youbelievethatthisistherealexplanation,then,thatitisn’tamistake,but

thatitwascalculatedanddeliberate.”“Yes,Excellency.Therehastobesomewaytotell.Otherwise,thesuccessful

useof thebookwouldonlybe the resultofchance.TheboxesofOrdenweremadeasacounter…”ShepausedassheglancedbrieflyKahlan’sway.Kahlankepthereyesalmost

closed into the narrowest of slits so that the woman wouldn’t know she wasawake.SisterUliciaturnedherattentionbacktoJagang.“They would have reasoned that if it ever became necessary to use that

counteritcouldonlybebecausethesituationwasdesperate,sotheywouldneedverybadlytoknowthatthebookwastrueorelsetheyriskedlosingeverythingtheybelievedin.Theywould,afterall,beusingthebooktosaveeverythingtheybelieved in. If the ones using the counter of the boxeswerewrong about thecopytheywerereferringto,thentheystoodtolosemorethanjusttheirlives—theyriskedlosingtheworldoflifeitself.”“Unless thosewhomade thecopieswanted the falsecopies to foilagreedy

thief,”Jagangsaid.“ButExcellency,”SisterUliciasaid,“tostopanytreacherousplans, thosein

chargeoftheboxeswouldneedtohaveawaytoknowthetruecopiesfromthefalse. If theydidn’t leavesuchamethodto thosewhowouldcomeafter them,thentheywouldhaveabandonedtheirdescendantstosurvivalbychance.Theirwhole reason for making the copies in the first place was because they wereworried about the risks thatmight develop in the futurewith having only theoriginal text. After all, the only book in existence would be subject to anynumberofthreats,fromfire,towater,toworms,andthatisn’tevenincludingthearrayofdeliberatethreats.Theyweretryingtomakesurethattherewouldbean

accuratecopyif itevercametobenecessary touse theboxesandtheoriginalbook was unavailable for reasons they might not even be able to imagine.Riskingthatfutureonchancewouldbecountertotheirpurposeformakingthecopiesinthefirstplace.“DoyouseewhatImean?Sincetheymadeonlyonetruecopy,andtherest

false,theywereattemptingtodiscouragethewrongfuluseoftheboxes—puttinganother obstacle in the path of them being used—but at the same time, if theboxeswereever trulyneeded, theymostcertainlywouldnothavewanted thatcalltohavebeenansweredbychance.Theywouldhaveleftthosecomingafterthemawaytoconfirmthetruth.“Sincethetextinsidethebookisnotcontradictoryinandofitself,itseemsto

methatthosewhomadethecopieswouldunquestionablyhavedevisedanothermeanstodeterminethetruefromthefalse.”Jagang turned to theotherSister.“Ah,Arminahashada thought.Dospeak

up,darlin.”Sister Armina cleared her throat. “We are being asked to believe that a

singular rather than a pluralword served as their only indication of validity?”SisterArmina shookher head. “While I grant the general point, I believe thatthisisjusttoosimpleananswer,ifnotfartooopaqueamessage.Thismeansoftellingtruefromfalseinandofitselfbecomeschance,too,unlesstheygaveusawaytoconfirmit.”“Andtheyhave,now,haven’tthey?”SisterUliciaarchedaneyebrowasshe

leanedalittletowardthewoman.“It’srightthere,rightinthebeginning,whereittellsuspreciselyhowtodetectifthebookistrueornot.Itsaysthatshemustverifyit.Shehas.”Arminafoldedherarms.“LikeIsaid,I thinkthat’sjust toosimpletobethe

answer.”“Ifit’ssosimple,Armina,thenwhydidn’tyouseeit?”SisterUliciaasked.Kahlanclosedhereyesa littlemorewhenSisterUliciapointedather.“She

found the flaw.Why did none of us see it?Only she saw it.Without herweprobably would not have noticed it or, if we had, we probably would havethoughtthatitcouldn’tbeimportantandwewouldhaveignoredit.Shehasdonewhatthebooksaidshemust.Shefoundit.Shesaidthatitmeansthecopyisafalsecopy.Thatispreciselythepurposeforwhichthebookitselfsaidshemustbeused.“Some of us may not consider that flaw complex enough to be the

determiningelement,butthat’sirrelevant.Thefactremainsthatshemustverifytheveracityofthisbookand,becauseofaflawthatonlyshenoticed,sheclaims

it isa falsecopy.That’swhatmatters.Wehave to take thatpronouncementasvalid.”Consideringthewordsofeachwoman,Jagangrubbedameatyhandbackover

hisbullneckashepacedbeforethetable.Hestareddownatthebookforatime,thenspoke.“Thereisonewaytobesure.”HeglaredateachSisterinturn.“Wefindthe

othercopiesandcomparethem.Iftheyall,oronlyafew,havethisexactsameflawinthetitle,thenitwouldpointtoitbeingmeaningless.Ontheotherhand,ifallbutonehasthissameflaw,thentheonethatdoesn’twouldlikelybethetruecopy.Wecanthencomparealltheversionsofthetextandiftheonewithouttheflawedtitleisdifferentfromalltheothers,wewillhaveconfirmedthatit’stheonetruecopy.”“Excellency,”SisterArminasaidwithadeferentialbowofherhead,“thatis

anexcellentidea.Ifwecanlocatetheothers,andthisistheonlyonewiththisflaw, then it would prove my point that it is nothing but a simple, isolatedmistakebyanignorantbookbinder.”Jagang stared at her for a moment before finally breaking eye contact and

goingtoachesttotheside.Heopenedthetopandpulledoutabook.HetosseditonthetablesothatitslidacrossthetoptowardthetwoSisters.SisterArminapickeditupandreadthecover.Eveninthedimlightoftheoil

lamps,Kahlancouldseethewoman’sfacegoingadeepshadeofred.“TheBookofCountedShadow,”shesaidinanincredulouswhisper.“Shadow?”SisterUliciaasked,peeringdownoverSisterArmina’sshoulder.

“NotShadows?”“No,”Jagangsaid.“It isTheBookofCountedShadow, thesameas theone

fromCaska.”“But,but,”SisterArminastammered,“Idon’tunderstand.Whereisthiscopy

from?”Acondescendingsmilejoinedhisglare.“ThePalaceoftheProphets.”,SisterArmina’sjawdroppedinspeechlessshock.SisterUliciafrowned.“What?Thatcan’tbe.Areyousure?”“AmI sure?”Hegrunted inderision. “Oh,yes, I’msure.Yousee, I’vehad

thisbookforquitesometime.ThatispartofthereasonwhyIallowedyoufoolstocontinueinyourquest.Ineededthesamewomanyouwereafterinordertofindoutifthisisatruecopyornot.“AllthetimeIhadthisbookInevernoticedtheword‘shadow’inthetitleas

beinganythingother thanwhat itshouldbe. I justassumeditsaidwhat itwassupposedtosay.Butourunconsciousfriendovertherenoticeditimmediately.”

“ButhowcouldyouhavegottenthisfromthePalaceoftheProphets?”SisterUliciaasked.“Fromwhatwe’ve learned, thesecopieswereburiedwithbones,like inCaska, inhiddencatacombs.Nocatacombswereeverdiscoveredat thepalacebeforeitwasdestroyed.”Jagang smiled to himself, as if hewere explaining things to children. “You

think you are so clever, Ulicia, finding out about the boxes, about the bookneededtoopenthem,aboutthecatacombs,andabouttheonepersonneededtoverify the textof thebook.But Ihaveknownfordecadeswhatyouhaveonlyrecentlydiscovered.“Ihavebeenvisitingmindsforavery,very longtimetoaidourcause.You

wouldbesurprisedatall thethingsIlearnedlongago.WhileyouSisterswereengaged in palace politics, in battles for power on your own little island, incourtingeithertheCreatorortheKeeper,seekingfavorsinreturnforloyaltytooneortheother,IhavebeenworkingtounitetheOldWorldinthecauseoftheFellowship ofOrder, which is the true cause of the Creator and therefore theonlyrighteouscauseofmankind.“While you were teaching youngmen to be wizards, I was showing those

sameyoungmenthetrueLight.WithouttheSistersevenbeingawareofit,manyofthoseyoungwizardshadalreadydevotedthemselvestothefuturesalvationofmankind by becoming disciples of theOrder.They spent decadeswalking thehalls of thePalace of theProphets, right under the noses of theSisters,whileworkingasbrothersoftheFellowshipofOrder.AndIwasthereintheirmindsastheyreadallthoserestrictedbooksdowninthevaultsofthepalace.“Asadreamwalker,Igavethemdirectionandpurposeintheirstudies.Iknew

whatwasneeded.Ihadthemsearchforme.AsbrothersoftheOrdertheylongagofoundthesecretentrancedownintothecatacombs—itwashiddenunderanunusedandlong-forgottenstorageareaintheoldersectionofthestables.Theyspiritedthisbook,aswellasothervaluablevolumes,outofthecatacombs,andthen when I finally arrived at the palace after triumphantly unifying the OldWorld,theydeliveredthemtome.Ihavehadthisparticularcopyfordecades.“The only thing I didn’t havewas away through the great barrier so that I

couldgetatboththeboxesandthemeansofverification.Butthen,throughtheirmeddling,theSistersobligedmebydoingthingsthatresultedinthedestructionofthatbarrier.“NowthatthePalaceoftheProphetshasbeendestroyed,I’mafraidthatthe

catacombsandthebookstheyheldhavebeenlostforalltime,butthoseyoungmensearchedthroughmostofthosehiddenvolumes,andthroughtheireyesI’vereadmostofthem.Thepalaceandthecatacombsarenowgone,butnotallthe

knowledgecontainedtherehasbeenlost.Thoseyoungmengrewuptobecomebrothers,manystillaliveandservinginourstruggle.“When Iwitnessed you hatch your plan to capture theMotherConfessor, I

realizedIcouldusethatplantofinallygetmyhandsonheranduseherformypurposes, so I allowedyou to thinkyouwereaccomplishingexactlywhatyouwanted,whileyouwere, infact,accomplishingwhatIwanted. Inowhave thebook,andtheMotherConfessorthatthebooksaysmustbeusedtoconfirmtheirvalidity.”BothSisterscouldonlystare.Kahlan’s mind spun in confusion. Mother Confessor. She was the Mother

Confessor.WhatintheworldwasaMotherConfessor?JagangflashedtheSistersacunningsmile.“Youhavebeentheperfectfools,

don’tyouthink?”“Yes,Excellency,”theybothconcededasoneinsmallvoices.“So,yousee,”hewenton,“wenowhavetwocopiesofTheBookofCounted

Shadows, and both have the same mistake—the word ‘shadow’ instead of‘shadows’onthecover.”“Butthis isstillonlytwo,”SisterArminasaid.“Whatifall theothercopies

havethesameflaw?”“Idon’tthinkthat’sgoingtohappen,”SisterUliciasaid.“Well, if they did, it would certainly prove something, now, wouldn’t it?”

Jagangarchedaquestioningeyebrowoveronedarkeye.“Inowhavetwo,andthey have the exact same error.Wewill need to have the rest to confirm thetheorythatonewillhavethetitlewrittencorrectly,as‘shadows.’So,asitturnsoutwewillneedtokeeptheMotherConfessoraliveuntilwecanseeifshehasreallyfoundtheflawthatwillverifythetruecopy.”“Andifallthecopieshavethesameflaw,Excellency?”SisterArminaasked.“Then we will have learned that the error in the title isn’t the method for

verifyingTheBookofCountedShadows.Itmayturnoutthatweneedtogiveheraccess to the copy itself so that she can have a broader basis formaking theverification—formakingitonthingsthatfornowsheisn’tabletosee.”SisterArminaliftedahand.“ButExcellency,Idon’tknowthatsuchathingis

evenpossible.”Jagangdidn’t answerArmina’s concern,but instead took thebook fromher

andsetitbesidetheoneonthetable.“TheMotherConfessorisstillvitaltous.Sheistheonlywaytoverifytheone,truecopy.Wecan’tyetbecertainthatshehasdonethat.Sofarshemadeajudgmentontheonlyinformationavailableto

her.Fornow,weneedheralive.”“Yes,Excellency,”SisterArminasaid.“Ithinkshemightbewaking,”SisterUliciasaid.Kahlanrealized thatshehadbeen listeningso intently thatshehadfailed to

completelyclosehereyeswhenSisterUlicia lookedherway.TheSistercamecloser,peeringdownather.Kahlan didn’t want them to know she had heard them call her by the title

Mother Confessor. She stretched a little, as if trying to escape the bounds ofunconsciousness while she tried to imagine what such a title could possiblymean.“Wherearewe?”shemumbled,feigningagroggyvoice.“Iamconfidentthatitwillsoonenoughbecomeall toocleartoyou.”Sister

UliciaforcefullyjabbedKahlan’sshoulder.“Now,wakeup.”“Whatisit?Doyouwishsomething,Sister?”Kahlanrubbedhereyeswiththe

backsofherknuckles,tryingtolookuncoordinatedanddazed.“Wherearewe?”Sister Ulicia hooked a finger through the collar around Kahlan’s neck and

jerkedherupright.BeforeSisterUlicia could sayanythingmore, Jagang’smeatyhandgrabbed

herarmanddrewherbackoutofhisway.Hewas intentonKahlan.His fistsseizedhershirtatherthroat.Heliftedherclearoftheground.“You killed two trusted guards,” he said through gritted teeth. “You killed

Sister Cecilia.” His face was going red with rapidly building rage. His browdrew down over his dark eyes. It seemed that lightning might flicker in thecloudyshapesdriftingthroughthoseblackeyes.“Whatmadeyouthinkthatyoucouldgetawaywithkillingthem?”“Ididn’tthinkIcouldgetawaywithit,”Kahlansaidascalmlyasshecould

manage.Asshehadsuspected,hercalmonlyservedtoprovokehisfury.He roared in unleashed anger and shook her so violently that it felt like it

mighthavetornmusclesinherneck.Itwasobviousthathewasamanwhoatthe slightest provocation flew into fits of uncontrollable rage. He was on thebrinkofmurder.Kahlandidn’twanttodie,butsheknewthataswiftdeathmightbepreferable

towhathehadpromisedherforlater.Shecouldn’treallydoanythingtostopit,anyway.“Ifyoudidn’tthinkyoucouldgetawaywithit,thenwhywouldyoudareto

dosuchathing!”“Whatdifferencedoesitmake?”Kahlanaskedwithcalmindifferenceashis

fistsonhershirtheldherupsothatherbootswereclearoftheground.

“Whatareyoutalkingabout!”“Well, you’ve already told me that your treatment of me will be terrible

beyond anything I have ever experienced. I believe you; that’s the only waypeoplelikeyoucaneverwin—bythreatsandbrutality.Becauseyouaresuchapompous fool, you made the mistake of telling me that I could not begin toimagine all the terrible things you intend to do to me. That was your bigmistake.”“Mistake?Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Hedrewherupagainsthismuscled

body.“Whatmistake?”“You’vemadeatacticalerror,Emperor,”Kahlansaid,managingtostresshis

title inawaythatmadeitsoundlikeamockinginsult.Shewantedhimangry,andshecouldseethatitwasworking.Despite hanging from his white-knuckled fists, Kahlan tried to sound

composed, even aloof. “You see, youhavemade it clear tome that nomatterwhatIdoIhavenothingtolose.You’vemadeitclearthatyoucan’tbereasonedwith.You said thatyouaregoing todoyourworst tome.That empowersmebecauseIamnolongerboundbyanyhopeformercyfromyou.InrevealingthatI have nohopewhatsoever for anymercy, youhave givenme an advantage Ididn’tpreviouslyhave.“Yousee,bymakingthatmistake,youshowedmethatIhadnothingtolose

bykillingyourguards and, since I’m tobe subjected toyourworst anyway, Imight as well have my revenge on Sister Cecilia. By making such a tacticalmistake,youhaveshownmethatyouarenotsosmartafterall,thatyouarejustabruteandcanbebested.”HerelaxedhisgripjustenoughforKahlantotouchthetoesofherbootstothe

groundsothatshecouldgainsomeleverage.“You really are something,” he said as a slow, cunning smile overcame his

rage.“I’mgoingtoenjoywhatIhaveplannedforyou.”“I’vealreadytoldyouyourmistake,andyourepeatit?Apparently,youdon’t

learnverywell,either,doyou?”Before,whenhe’dpulledherup against him in a rage andhadbroughther

face close to his, when his hands had been firmly occupied holding her in athreateningmanner,Kahlan had used the distraction to gingerly slip his knifefromthesheathonhisbelt.Withtwofingersshe’dworkeditupintoherhand.Hehadbeensoangryhehadn’tnoticed.Ratherthangetworkedupintoanotherfitofrageatherlatestinsult,hebegan

tolaugh.Kahlanalreadyhadhisknifegrippedtightlyinherfist.

Withoutceremonyorwarning,shethrustitathimashardasshecould.Herintentionhadbeentodrivethebladeupunderhisribs,tocutopenvital

organs, maybe even his heart if she could get it in that far. The way he washoldingher,though,hamperedhermovementjustenoughsothatshemissedhermarkbyafractionofaninchandinsteadstruckhislowestrib.Thepointstuckinbone.Beforeshehad time toyank itbackandstabhimagain,heseizedherwrist

andwrenchedherarmover,spinningheraround.Herbackslammedagainsthischest.Hehadtheknifeoutofhergripbeforeshehadachancetodoanythingabout it. His arm across her throat cut off her air as he held her against hismassivemuscles.Hischestheavedinangeragainstherback.Ratherthanadmittingdefeat,andbeforesheblackedoutfromlackofair,she

used all hermuscle todrive theheel of her boot intohis shin.Byhis cry sheknewithurt.Shestrucksharplywithherelbowdirectlyintothefreshwound.Heflinched.Asherelbowreboundedfromtheblowshecockeditforwardtogainmomentum and then smashed back into his jaw. He was so big, though, sostrong, that itdidn’thaveadisablingeffect. Ithadbeenrather likepunchingabull.And,likeabull,hewasonlyenragedfurther.Lookingnoworseforherattack,Jagangseizedafistfulofhershirtbeforeshe

couldslipoutofhisreach.Hepunchedherinthemiddlehardenoughtodoubleheroveranddriveherbreathfromherlungs.Shegasped,tryingtodrawabreathagainstthestunningpain.Kahlanrealizedthatshewasonherkneesonlywhenheliftedherbyherhair

andplacedherbackonherfeet.Herkneeswobbledunsteadily.Jagang was grinning. His flash of anger had been washed away by an

unexpected,dangerous,butone-sidedbrawl,andanopportunity to inflictpain.Hewasbeginningtoenjoythegame.“Why don’t you just kill me?” Kahlan managed to get out as he stood

watchingher.“Kill you?Whywould Iwant to kill you?Then youwould just be dead. I

wantyoualivesothatIcanmakeyousuffer.”ThetwoSistersmadenomovetoreinintheirmaster.Kahlanknewthatthey

wouldnothaveobjectedtoanythinghedidtoher.AslongashisattentionwasonKahlan, itwasn’t on them.Before he could strike her again, light abruptlyfloodedthetent,drawinghisattention.“Excellency,” a deep voice said. It had come from the side.One of the big

brutes held the carpet aside as hewaited. Theman looked similar to the twoguardsshehadkilledbefore.KahlansupposedthatJaganghadanendlesssupply

ofsuchmen.“Whatisit?”“We’rereadytostrikeyourcamp,Excellency.Iamsorryforinterrupting,but

youaskedtobetoldassoonaswewereready.Yousaidthatyouwantedustomakehaste.”JagangreleasedKahlan’shair.“Allright,getstartedthen.”Heswungaroundunexpectedly,backhandingheracrossthefacehardenough

tosendhertumblingacrossthefloor.While she lay on the floor recovering her senses, he pressed a hand to the

woundoverhisrib.Hepulledthehandawaytoseehowmuchhewasbleeding.Hewipedhishandonhis trousers, apparentlydeciding that itwasa relativelyminorwoundandnothingtobeconcernedabout.FromwhatKahlancouldseeofhim,heboreanumberofscars,mosttestifyingtoinjuriesfarworsethantheoneshehadgivenhim.“Seetoitthatshedoesn’tgetanymoreideas,”hetoldtheSistersasheheaded

forthecarpetthattheguardwasholdingasideforhim.Kahlanfeltfireracedownfromthecollar, throughhernervesall thewayto

hertoes.Theburningpainpulledaninvoluntarygasp.Shewantedtoscreaminrageathavingthathotpainyetagainrippingthrough

her.Shehated theway theSistersused thecollar tocontrolher.Shehated thehelplessagonytheycouldputherin.SisterUliciasteppedcloserandstoodoverher.“Thatwasaprettystupidthing

todo,now,wasn’tit?”Kahlancouldn’tanswerthroughthestunningpain.Whatshewouldhavetold

theSisterwasthatitwasn’tstupidatall,thatithadbeenworthit.As longas shehadbreath inher lungs, shewould fight them.Withher last

breath,ifneedbe,shewouldfight.

Chapter43At the opening out ofEmperor Jagang’s tent,Kahlan recoiled at seeing the

armyoftheImperialOrderupcloseforthefirsttime.Distancehadtakenoffabitoftherougheredges.Eventhoughshehadaprettygoodsenseofthem,itwasstillanunnervingsight.The densemass of men spread unbroken to the horizon.With everyone in

motionandmovingabout—bending,standing,turning,liftinggear,joiningintoranks, saddling horses, loading wagons, with different groups on horsebackmoving like waves through the mass of men—it looked like an endless,churning,treacherousblacksea.There was not a single man in sight—and she could see thousands upon

endless thousands—who looked kindly or harmless. Every singleman lookedgrimandgrisly,asiftherewasnothinghelookedforwardtoinlifeasmuchasthe prospect of doing violence. These men looked driven by the singularprospectofanunrestrainedrampage.Kahlanfearedtothinkofthosewhomightfindthemselvesinthesemens’path.Asshetookitallin,shebegantonoticethatthereweredifferencesamongthe

men. The closest group to the emperor were more disciplined, orderly, andmeasuredineverythingtheydid.Theyweremoreattentivetotheirweapons.Allthemeninclosestaroundtheemperor’stentslookedmuchthesameasthetwoKahlanhadkilled.Outpastthemwereothermendressedindifferentkindsofuniformsmadeof

chainmailandleather.Theyalllookedtobenearlyasbigandwelltrainedasthemenclosest to theemperor,but theirprimaryweaponsappearedtobecrescentaxes.Beyondweremore encircling layers ofmen, includingmenwith loadedcrossbows, swordsmen, and ranksof pikemen formingup in close formations,preparingforthelongmarchahead.While each of the layers ofmen around the emperorwere outfitted in their

owndistinctiveuniformsthatmatchedtherestoftheirgroup,theywereallbig,muscled, armored, and heavily armedwithwell-madeWeapons. Thiswas thecoreoftheemperor’sforceofthedeadliest,themostfearsomeandformidable,ofhisarmy.Inamong the inner circlesweremenwho looked tobeofficers.Somegave

orders to messengers, some gave orders to lower-ranking men, while othersassembled in groups, making plans overmaps. Yet others came from time totimetospeakbrieflywithJagang.Outbeyondthebarriersofcareersoldiersweretherabblewhomadeupbyfar

thelargestmassofthearmy.Theweaponscarriedbythosemen—swords,axes,

pikes,lances,maces,clubs,andknives—wereinelegantlymade,andlookedallthemoredeadlyforit.Thesewerecoarsemenwholookedtobeoutforariot.Theysharedonethingwiththemeninclosertotheemperor:theyalllookedlikewide-eyedidealistsintentonenforcingtheirbeliefsundertheheeloftheirboot.Kahlan felt as if she were stranded on a treacherous island, surrounded bymonstersinawildsea.Kahlan saw something else different in among the inner circle. Therewere

women.At first shehadn’t noticed them,because their dresswas sodrab thattheyblendedinwithallthemen.Giventhewaythesewomenwatchedeveryone,she began to suspect that theywere Sisterswho served to guard the emperor.Therewerealsomenwhowerelargelyunarmed,butwhohadalooktothemthatin away remindedKahlan of the Sisters. Theywere probably gifted aswell.Noneof themenor theSisters somuchasglancedKahlan’sway.NoonebutSisterUlicia,SisterArmina,andJagangknewshewasthere.Therewerealsoyoungmenwho,bytheirsimple,loosetrousersandtotallack

of anyweapons, appeared to be slaves taking care of themenial tasks. Fromsomeoftheothertentsintheemperor’scompound,Kahlansawyoungwomenemergetobeherdedintowagonsbeforethetentsweretakendown.Bythewaythemenopenlystaredatthesewomenandbytheirscantyclothes,theirpurposeamong themen of rankwas obvious toKahlan.The hollow, dead look in thewomen’seyestoldherthattheymusthavebeencaptivespressedintoserviceaswhores.Themoboutbeyondmadeaceaseless,noisyruckus,whilemostofthemenin

closerwere silent as theywent aboutpreparations to strike camp.Mostof themen close by had studs, rings, chains, and tattooed faceswith unique designsthatmadethemlooknotjustsavage,butdeliberatelylessthanhuman,asiftheywererejectingahighervalue infavorofa lowerone.Theirchosenpurpose inlifewasclearlybrutality.As, theywent about theirwork they talked little andpayed attention to orders shouted by officers riding through theirmidst. Theyworked with practiced precision as they packed gear, readied weapons, andsaddledhorses.Thegreatmassesofmenoutbeyond,though,werenowherenearasorderlyor

careful.Theythrewtogethertheirgearinahaphazardfashion.Astheydepartedtheyleftbehindmoundsofrefuseandbrokenplunder.Theycouldn’tbebotheredwith such concerns; their calling in lifewasbringing to task thosewhodidn’tbelieveintheirsuperiorways.AtseeingKahlan’sreactiontoallthefiercemen,SisterUliciagesturedwitha

nodouttothemenandthenleanedalittleclosertoKahlan.“Iknowhowyou

feel.”Kahlan doubted it. She didn’twant to say anything because shewas pretty

surethatJagangwasintheSister’smind,watchingforwhatKahlanmighthavetosaywhenhewasn’taround.“Itdoesn’treallymatterhowIfeel,now,doesit?”ShesaidtothetwoSisters

watching her. “Hewill dowhat hewants tome.” She checked the cut on hercheek fromoneof Jagang’s rings. Ithad finally stoppedbleeding. “He’smadethatclearenough.”“Isupposehewill,”SisterUliciasaid.“Hewilldowhathewantstoallofus,”SisterArminaadded.“Ican’tbelieve

weweresofoolish.”AgroupofofficersreturnedwithJagang.Soldiersbehindthempulledalready

saddledhorsesalongwith them.Othermenwerealready takingchests,chairs,tables,andsmalleritemsoutoftheemperor’stentandloadingitallintocratesinthewaitingwagons.Assoonasthetenthadbeenemptied,thelinescamedown,followedbythepoles,andatlastthetentitself.Inamatterofmomentswhathadlookedlikeasmalltownoftents,withtheemperor’slargetentatthecenter,wasjustanemptyfield.Jaganggestured for aman tohandKahlan the reins to ahorse. “Todayyou

willridewithme.”Kahlanwonderedwhatshewouldbedoingthenextday,butshedidn’task.It

soundedlikehehadplansforher.Shecouldn’tbegintoguessat thembutshefearedwhatwasinstoreforher.Shestuffedabootinastirrupandswungupintothesaddle,thenscannedthe

seaofmen,estimatingherchancesifshemadearunforfreedom.Shemightbeabletomakeitpastthemen,because,withtheexceptionofthetwoSistersandJagang,themencouldn’trememberherlongenoughtorecallthattheysawher.Outamong thosemen,asdauntingassucha thoughtwas, shewasasgoodasinvisible.Tothemitwouldappearasifariderlesshorsewasrunningaway,andtheyprobablywouldn’twanttogettrampledfornogoodreason.TheSisters,watchinghercarefully,mountedupaswell,one toeachsideof

hertomakesurethatshedidn’tgetachancetobolt.Evenifshewasinvisibletothesoldiers,KahlanknewthattheSisterscouldusethecollartodropherwhereshewas.Theydidn’tneedtobeclose,either;shehadlearnedthatthehardway.Herlegsstillachedfromwhattheyhaddonealittleearlier.Itwasagoodthingthatshewastoride,becauserightthenshedidn’tthinkshewouldmakeitfaronfoot.Theseaofmenhadalreadybegunmovingawayinadark,surgingtide.The

dawnlightsparkledoffmillionsofweapons,makingthearmylookliquid.Asiffloatinginthetightlyformedraftoftheemperor’spersonalguardsandretinueofSisters,servants,andslaves,theybegantodriftoutintothevastchurningoceanofmenmovingnorthtowardthehorizon.Theyrodewiththehot,risingsuntotheirright.Kahlan,betweentheSisters,

in among the emperor’s personal guards, moved along in the mass of menstreamingnorthward.Shehadagoodviewofitallfromhighinhersaddle.Atleastshedidn’thavetocarrytheSisters’thingsonherback,asshehadalwayshadtodobefore.Theearlychatteramongthesoldierssoondiedoutwiththemonotonouseffort

of the march. Talking became too difficult for them. It wasn’t long beforeKahlanwas sweating in the heat.Men carrying heavy packs plodded onward,eyes to the ground in front of them. To stop would probably mean beingtrampled.Therehad to be a forceofmillions that she could seebehind them,drivingnorthwiththem.Throughoutthedaywagons,ormenonhorses,workedtheirwaythroughthe

men, passing out food. Wagons dispersed throughout the army at intervalscarriedwater.Therewassoonalineofmen,marchingalong,waitingtheirturntogetsomewaterfromeachofthewagonsrollingamongthem.Nearmiddayasmallwagonarrivedinthecenterof theemperor’speople.It

hadhotfood thatwaspassedout toall theofficers.TheSisterspassedKahlanthesameaswhattherestofthemwereoffered—flatbreadwrappedaroundsomekindofsalty,mushymeat.Itdidn’ttasteverygood,butKahlanwasstarvingandgladtohaveit.Bynightfalleveryonewasexhaustedfromthearduousmarch.Theyhadeaten

onthemoveandhadstoppedfornothing.Theywerecoveringmoregroundthanshethoughtanarmyofthissizecapableofdoinginaday.Shefeltasifshewerecoatedwithmuchofthegroundtheyhadcovered.Shedidn’tknowifshewouldbe any happier for rain that would knock down the dust, because then theywouldhavetocontendwithmud.Kahlanwassurprisedwhenshesawoutaheadof themwhat lookedlike the

emperor’scompound.Flagsatoptentsflappedinthehotwindasiftowelcomethe emperor home. She realized that the wagons with all the emperor’sequipmentmusthaveriddenonaheadandsetupcamp.Thearmywassovastandcoveredsomuchareathatittookhours,ifnotdays,forthemalltopassthesamespot,sothewagonswouldnothavehadtorideoutaheadoftheprotectionof the army. Men would merely have opened a path for them to race aheadthroughthemarchingmenandbeforedarkstartsettingupcampsothatbythe

timetheemperorarrivedeverythingwouldbeready.Kahlansawmeatroastingonspitsoveraseriesoffires.Thearomasmadeher

stomachachewithhunger.Other firesheldsteamingcauldronson ironcranes.Slavesscurriedhereandtherecarryingavarietyofsupplies,workingattables,turningspits,stirringwhatwasin thecauldronsandaddingingredientsas theypreparedtheeveningmeal.Platterswithbreads,meats,andfruitswerealreadybeingreadied.Jagang,ridingdirectlyinfrontofKahlan,dismountedbeforehislargetent.A

manrushedintotakethereins.WhentheSistersandKahlandismounted,moreyoung men ran in to take their horses as well. The Sisters, as if directed bywordlesscommands,usheredKahlanalongwith themas theyfollowedJagangin under the large, ornate hanging covering the tent’s opening that was beingheld aside by a muscled soldier without a shirt. He was slick with sweat,probablyfromtheworkoferectingthetents,andhadasourstinkabouthim.Inside, it looked just like it had that morning when they had left. Just by

lookingat it, itwashard to tell that theyhadgoneanywhere.The lampswerealreadylit.Kahlanwasgladforthesmelloftheburningoilbecauseitcoveredsomeofthestenchofurine,manure,andsweat.Therewereanumberofslavesinside,allrushingaboutthetaskofpreparingtheemperor’smealbeingsetoutonthetable.Jagang abruptly turned and seized SisterUlicia by her hair and yanked her

forward.Sheletoutasmallcryofpainandsurpriseatfirst,butquicklycutoffthewhimper andofferedno resistance ashepulledher close.The slavesonlybriefly glanced over at SisterUlicia’s cry, and then immediatelywent back totheirworkasiftheysawnothing.“Whydoesnooneelseseeher?”Jagangasked.Kahlanknewwhathewastalkingabout.“Thespell,Excellency.TheChainfirespell.”SisterUliciawasbeingheld in

an awkward and uncomfortable position, bent halfway over and standing offbalance.“Thatwasthewholepurposeofthespell—sothatnoonewouldseeher.Itwascreatedspecificallytomakeapersonappeartovanish.Ithinkitmayhavebeen envisioned as amethod of creating a spywho couldn’t be detected.Weusedthespellforthatpurpose—sowecouldgettheboxesofOrdenoutofthePeople’sPalacewithoutanyoneknowingwhatwehaddone.”Kahlanfeltasifherhearthadcomeupintoherthroatathearinghowshehad

beenused,athowherlifeandhermemoryhadbeenstrippedfromher.Alumpswelled in her throat at hearing the arrogant disregard the Sisters had for herpreciouslife.Whatgavethesewomentheright tostealanyone’s life insucha

way?Onlyashorttimeago,shehadthoughtshewasanobodywithoutamemory,a

slavetotheSisters.Now,inashorttime,shehadfoundoutthatshewasKahlanAmnell, and that shewas theMotherConfessor—whatever thatwas.Nowsheknewthatshehadn’tknownhernamewasAmnell,orthatshewasthisMotherConfessorperson,becausetheSistershadspelledher.“That’s the way it’s supposed to work,” Jagang said. “So why did that

innkeeperseeher?WhydidthatlittlerockratbackinCaskaseeher?”“I,I,don’tknow,”SisterUliciastammered.Hejerkedheralittlecloser.Shebegantoreachuptograsphiswriststotryto

keep from having her scalp torn off, but she thought better of trying to resistanythinghedidandletherarmsdroptodanglefromherstoopedshoulders.“Let me rephrase the question so that even a stupid bitch like you can

understandit.Whatdidyoudowrong?”“ButExcellency—”“Youmusthavedonesomethingwrongorthosetwowouldnothavebeenable

toseeher!”SisterUliciatrembledbutdidn’tanswerashelecturedher.“YouandArminacanseeherbecauseyouwerecontrollingthespell.IcanseeherbecauseIwasinyourmindsandsoIwasprotectedbythesameprocess.Butnooneelseshouldbeabletoseeher.“Now,”hesaidafterapausetogrithisteeth,“Iwillaskagain.Whatdidyou

dowrong?”“Excellency,wedidnothingwrong.Iswear.”Jagang crooked a finger at Armina. She meekly came forward in mincing

steps.“Wouldyouliketoanswermyquestionandtellmewhatyoudidwrong?Or

wouldyoualsoliketobesenttothetentsalongwithUlicia?”SisterArminaswallowedbackherterrorasshespreadherhands.“Excellency,

if I could spare myself by confessing, I would, but Ulicia is right. We didnothingwrong.”He turned his glare back on the Sister he had by the hair. “It seems pretty

obvioustomethatyoutwoarewrong—thespellshouldmakeherinvisiblebutotherscanseeher.Andyetyoucontinuetosticktoastorywhenthat’sobviouslyalie?Youhadtodosomethingwrongorthosetwopeoplewouldnothaveseenher.”SisterUlicia,tearsdrippingfromhercheeksfromthepainshewasin,triedto

shakeherhead.“No,Excellency—itdoesn’tworkthatway.”“Whatdoesn’tworkthatway?”

“TheChainfirespell.Onceignited,itrunsitscourse.Thespelldoesthework.It’s self-directing; we didn’t guide it or control it in any way. In fact, nointervention ispossibleduring theprocess. It is ignitedand then thespell runsthroughitspredeterminedroutines.Wedon’tevenknowwhatthoseroutinesare.Insomeaspectstheyfunctionsimilarlytoaconstructedspell.Wewouldn’tdaretrytotamperwithanyofit.ThepowerunleashedinChainfireisfarmorethanweknowhowtoregulate—andwehavenowaytoaltersuchaspellevenifwewantedto.”“She’sright,Excellency.Weknewwhatitwassupposedtodo,whattheresult

wassupposedtobe,butwedon’tknowhowitworks.Whatwouldwechange?Ourgoalwasforittowork,todowhatitwasdesignedtodo.Wehadnoreasontotrytotamperwithit,sothereisnothingwecouldhavedonewrong.”“Allwedidwasigniteit,”SisterUliciainsisted,tearsstartingtoweepthrough

herwords.“Werantheverificationwebstomakesurethateverythingwasasitshouldbe,andthenweignited it.Thespelldid therest.Wehavenoideawhythosetwopeoplecanseeher.Wewerecompletelysurprisedbyit.”HeturnedhisglareonSisterArmina.“Canyoufixwhateveriswrong?”“Wehaveno ideawhat theproblem is,”SisterArmina said, “so there isno

waywecan fix it.Wedon’tevenknowfor sure that there really is somethingwrong.Forallweknow,itcouldbethatthisissimplythewaythespellworks—thattherewillbeafewpeoplewho,forsomereasonunknowntous,canstillseeher.Thespellisfarmorecomplexthananythingwe’veeverencounteredbefore.Wehavenoideawhatiswrong—iftherereallyissomethingwrong—orhowtocorrectit.”“Ithinkthatmaybeitwasarandomanomaly,”SisterUliciasuggestedwhen

thesilence in the tentbecameominous.“Those thingssometimeshappenwithmagic. Small little issues that aren’t anticipated by the spell’s creator slipthroughandaren’taffected.Itmightbenothingmorethanthat.“After all, the spell is thousands of years old. Those who created it never

testedit,sotheremighthavebeenunresolvedissuestheyweren’tawareof.”Jagang did not look convinced. “Theremust have been something you did

wrong.”“No,Excellency.Noteventhoseancientwizardscoulddoanythingwiththe

spellonceithadbeenignited.Afterall,themagicofOrdenwascreatedtodealwiththespellifitwaseverunleashed.Nothinglesscanalteritscourse.”Kahlan’s ears perked up. Shewonderedwhy the Sisterswould have used a

spelltostealtheboxesofOrdenthatweredesignedtocounterthespell.Maybetheirintenthadbeentomakesurethatnoonecouldusethatcounter.

JagangfinallyreleasedSisterUliciabytossinghertothegroundwithagruntofdisgust.Herhandscoveredherscalp,comfortingthehurt.Emperor Jagang paced as he thought about what he’d been told. Seeing

someonepeekingintothetent,hestoppedandsignaled.Severalwomenenteredwith pitchers and poured redwine inmugs set out on the table. Serving boysbeganspilling into the roomcarryingplattersand trays filledwithavarietyofsteaming-hotfood.Jagangpaced,payingtheslaveslittleattentionastheywentabouttheirwork.Whenthetablewasfinallyfilled,Jagangtookaseatatthecarvedchairbehind

thetable.HebroodedashewatchedthetwoSisters.Theslavesallsilentlylinedupbehindhim,readytodohisbiddingorbringhimanythingherequested.Hefinallyturnedhisattentiontodinneranddughisfingersintotheham.He

squeezedoffafistfulofthehotmeat.WithhisotherhandhetorelongstripsoffthelargechunkandatethemashewatchedtheSistersandKahlan,asifjudgingwhethertheyshouldliveordie.Whenhehadfinishedtheham,hepulledtheknifefromhisbeltanduseditto

sliceoffapieceof roastbeef.Hestabbed the red slabofmeatandheld itup,waiting.Bloodrandownthebladeanddownthelengthofhisarmtohiselbowrestingonthetabletop.HepausedandsmiledupatKahlan.“Abetteruseformyknifethantheuse

youhadforit,don’tyouthink?”Kahlanconsideredkeepingsilent,butshecouldn’tresistspeaking.“Ilikedmy

use better. I onlywishmy aim had been true. Had it been, wewould not behavingthisconversation.”Hesmiled tohimself. “Maybe.”He tookagulpofwine fromamugbefore

usinghisteethtopullachunkofthebeefofftheslabstuckontheknife.AshewatchedKahlan,andwhilehechewed,hesaid,“Takeoffyourclothes.”Kahlanblinked.“What?”“Takeoffyourclothes.”Hegesturedwiththeknife.“Allofthem.”Kahlanclenchedherjaw.“No.Ifyouwantthemoff,youwillhavetoripthem

offme.”Heshrugged.“Iwilldo that later, just for thesatisfactionof it,but fornow,

takethemoff.”“Why?”Heliftedaneyebrow.“BecauseIsaidso.”“No,”sherepeated.ThegazeofhisnightmareeyesglidedtoSisterUlicia.“TellKahlanaboutthe

torturetents.”

“Excellency?”“Tellherabouttheextensiveexperiencewehaveinconvincingpeopletodo

aswewish.Tellherwhattorturesweemploy.”BeforeSisterUliciacouldspeak,Kahlanspokefirst.“Justgetonwithitand

tortureme.Nooneis interestedinhearingyougossipabout it likeanoldhen.I’msurethatyou’drathermakemesuffer—sogetonwithit.”“Oh,thetortureisn’tforyou,darlin.”Hetwistedalegoffaroastedgooseand

usedittogesturetoayoungwomanbehindhim.“Thetortureisforher.”KahlanglancedatthesuddenlypanickedwomanandthenfrownedatJagang.

“What?”He bit off some of the dark goose meat. Grease ran down his fingers. He

suckedthegreaseofftherings.“Well,” he said as he picked at the meat hanging from the leg, “perhaps I

shouldbetheonetoexplain.Yousee,wehavethistorturewheretheinquisitormakesasmallincisioninalowerabdomenofthepersoninquestion.”Heturnedandpokedthegooselegattheyoungwoman’sbelly,justbelowhernavel.Thegooselegleftagreasyspotonherbareflesh.“Rightaboutthere.“Then,” he said, turning back, “the inquisitor pushes the jaws of a pair of

tongsdeepintothebellyandgropesarounduntilheisabletograbholdofabitof the small intestine. It’s all quite slippery in there, and the person beingsubjectedtothistreatmentisnotjustlyingstillforit,ifyouknowwhatImean,soitusuallytakesabitofdoingtosnagtheproperbitoftheirinsides.Oncehehasit,heslowlybeginstopullafewfeetofitout.Quiteanordeal.”Heleanedoverandpulledoffanotherstripofham.“Now,ifyoudon’tdoasI

say,thenweareallgoingtogoovertothetorturetents”—hegesturedwiththelimpstripofhamofftohisleft—”andwe’regoingtoletoneofourexperiencedinquisitorsdothattothisgirlbehindme.”HeturnedanicylookupatKahlan.“Allbecauseyourefusetodoasyouare

told.Youwillget towatchthewholeagonizingthing.Youwillget tolistentoher screams, listen to her begging for her life, watch her bleed, see her vitalinsidesbeingdrawnoutofher.Afterthemanhaspulledafewfeetfree,hethenbeginswindingitaroundastick,likespareyarn—justtokeepthemessallneatandtidy.Afterthat,hewillpauseandlooktome.“Atthat time,IwillagainpolitelyaskyoutodoasIhaveinstructed.Ifyou

againrefuse,thenwewillslowlypulloutafewmorefeetofhertender,delicate,bloodygut,windingitaroundthestick,whilewealllistentoherscreamandcryand beg to die. This whole process can go on for quite a long time. It’s anexcruciatingly slowandpainfulordeal.” JaganggaveKahlana cheerful smile.

“Andthen,neartheend,youwillgettoseeherconvulseinherdeath.”Kahlanlookedupatthegirl.Shehadn’tmoved,butshehadgoneaswhiteas

thesugarmoundedinthebowltothesideofthetable.Jagang slowly chewed and thenwashed themouthful downwith a swig of

wine.“Afterthat,youcanwatchusthrowherlifelesscarcassonthedeadcart,withotherruinedbodiesofpeoplewhohavebeenquestioned.“Then, Iwill offerUlicia andArmina the choiceof eitherbeing sent to the

tents toentertainmymen,whohavequite the lustierdesires,or, if theywouldrather,thinkofwaystousethatcollararoundyournecktogiveyoumorepainthanyouhavesofarexperiencedfromit.Thestipulationwillbethattheymustnotallowyoutopassout.Iwill,ofcourse,wantyoutofeelitall.”Outside,thedinofthearmycarriedonwithoutletup,butinsidethetentitwas

deadquiet.Jagangsawedoffanotherslabofthebloodybeefashewenton.“After the Sisters have exhausted their imaginations, and I believe that the

incentive will spark some inventive ideas, then I will personally beat you towithinaninchofyourdeath.Afterallofthat,Iwillripyourclothesoffofyouandyouwillbestandingtherenakedbeforeme.”Hisnightmareeyesfixedonher.“Yourchoice,darlin.Eitherway,intheend,

youaregoingtocomplywithmyorderandendupstandingtherenakedbeforeme.Whatmethoddoyouchoose?Make itquick. I’llnotofferyou thechoiceagain.”Kahlan had no choice. Resisting in this was pointless. She swallowed and

immediatelystartedunbuttoninghershirt.

Chapter44Jagangscoopedahandfulofpecansfromasilverbowlandpoppedafewin

hismouth.HesmiledathistriumphashewatchedKahlanbeginremovingherclothes. His self-satisfied expression made her feel all the more forlorn andpowerless.Shewascertainthatherfacehadgonecrimson.Shemadenofurtherattempt

tofighthisorder.Sheknewthatshehadtopickherbattles,andthiswasnotoneshecouldwin.Shewonderedifshewouldeverwinanother.Shebegantodoubtthatitwasreallypossible.Therewouldbenosalvationforher.Thiswasherlife,herfuture,alltherewouldeverbeforher.Shehadnothingtolookforwardto,noreasontoaspiretoanythinggood.As unceremoniously as possible, she dropped her clothes in a pile as she

removedthem,notbotheringtostallbyfoldingthem.Whenshewasdoneandhad removed every stitch, she stood hunched in the dead-silent room, notlooking up at Jagang because she didn’t want to face his gloating, leeringtriumph.Shetriedherbesttokeephertremblingfrombeingevident.“Standupstraighter,”Jagangsaid.Kahlandidasshewas told.Shesuddenly feltweary.Notwearyofphysical

effort,butwearyofalleffort.Whatwasshestrugglingfor?Whatlifecouldsheeverhave?Shestoodnochanceofeverbeingfree,ofeverexperiencinglove,ofeverfeelingsafe.Whatchancehadsheofeverachievinganyhappinessinlife?None.Atthatmomentshewantednothingsomuchastocurlupintoaballandcry

—or juststopbreathingandbedonewith it.Everythingseemedhopeless.Hereffortswerefutileagainstsuchstrength,suchnumbers,suchabilities.Sheceasedtobeembarrassed.Shedidn’tcareifhestaredather.Shewassure

thatitwouldn’tbelonguntilhewasfinishedwithhisdinnerandthendidalotmorethanmerelystare.Shehadnochoiceinthat,either.Shehadnochoiceinanyofit.Shehadonlyanimitationoflife.Withoutthe

abilitytocontroleventhismuchofherlife,controlifshewouldhavetosubmitto any indignation, she didn’t really have life. Lifewas something that othershad.Shebreathed,shesaw,shefelt,sheheard,shetasted,sheeventhought,butshedidnotliveinameaningfulsense.“Thereisarockformationstraightoutfromtheopeningtomytent,”Jagang

said as he leaned back in his chair. “Do you remember seeing it when wearrived?”Kahlan lookedup at him, feelingdead inside.Shewent through the taskof

doing as instructed, like a good slave. She thought about his question; she

rememberedseeing it. Itwasa longwayoff,butshe remembered theway thedarkriverofmenpouredaroundtherockoutcropping.“Yes,Irememberit,”shesaidinadullvoice.“Good.”He tookaswigandset themugdown.“Iwantyou towalk to that

rock.Don’t go straight there, but go around in a circular route.”He lifted aneyebrow.“Noneedtogoallred,darlin.Themencan’tseeyou—remember?”Kahlanstaredathim.“Thenwhydoyouwantmetodothis?”Heshrugged.“Well,youkilledmytwoguards.Ineedsomemore.”“Thereareplentyofyourmenrightoutside.”Hesmiled.“Yes,buttheycan’tseeyou.Iwantmenwhocanseeyou.”Kahlanbegan tograsphismeaning.Shesuddenlybegan feelingverynaked

again.“ThewayIfigureit,thereisprobablynobetterwaytoferretoutmenwhocan

seeyouthantohaveyouwalkbythemshowingthemallyouhavetooffer.”Hisgazeroamedthelengthofherbeforereturningtohereyes.“Believeme,iftheycanseeyou,thereisnochancetheywillfailtomakethemselvesknown.Ihaveno doubt whatsoever that if they can see you, like that innkeeper or that girlcouldseeyou,andtheyseeyoulikethis, thentheywilldropwhateverthey’redoingandcomeouttopayyouakindlygreeting.”He laughed heartily at his own joke. No one else in the tent so much as

crackedasmile,buthedidn’tseemtocare.Finallyhisfitoflaughterdiedout.“Withallthemenwehave,Iwouldbetthatweareboundtonetusafewwho

canseeyou.Amongthismanymen,thereareboundtobemore‘anomalies,’asUliciaputit.”Hecockedhisheadtowardher.“Then,wewillhaveguardsthatyoucan’tsneakupon,orsneakpast,thewayyoudidtheothers.“Yousee,darlin,youmadeatacticalmistake.Youshouldhavekeptthattrick

forabetterchancetoescape.Nowyouwastedit.”Shehadn’twasted it.Shehaddonewhat shehaddone to save Jillian’s life.

Kahlanknewthatshehadnochanceatfreedomforherself,butatleastshehadgiventhatgifttoJillian.Therewasnobenefittosayingso,though,soshedidn’tdispute what he thought had gained him an advantage in the game he wasplayingwithher.Kahlancouldthinkofnothingtosaythatwouldtalkhimoutofsuchaplan.

Heronlyhopenowwastoremaininvisible.Butshedidn’tfeelatall invisible.Shesuddenlyfeltasif,whenshewalkedoutoftheemperor’stent,everymanincampwould be able to see her. She could already feelmillions of lewdmenleeringather.Jaganggestured.“Ulicia,Armina,youwillgoalong,buthangbackagoodly

distance.IfanymancanseeherIdon’twantthemtonoticeyoutwoandgoallshybeforetheyhaveagoodchancetomakethemselvesknowntous.Iwantanymenwho can see her to be eager enough and bold enough to drop whateverthey’redoingtocomeandinvestigateourfineyounglady,here.”Theybothbowedandasonesaid,“Yes,Excellency.”Jaganglosthischeerfulpretenseandturnedmenacing.“Now,getgoing.Make

a big circle to the right, through the camp, to that rock formation, and thencontinuethecircleonaroundbacktohere.Move,woman!”Kahlanpaddedacross the soft rugs to thecarpethangingover thedoorway.

Shecouldfeelhisleeringgazeonher.Shepushedthecarpetasideandslippedthroughtheopening.Outside, facing the sprawling camp, she went stiff with dread. She forced

herself, trembling every step, to walk among the hulking brutes near theemperor’stent.Tearsstunghereyes.Shefelthumiliatedandcompletelynakedtoallthemenincamp.Shepausedatthefirstdefendingringofsoldiers,terrifiedtogooutamongthe

men beyond. She wanted to screamwith fury, withmortified embarrassment.She felt trappedby thosewhocontrolledher.Shecouldn’tmakeher legs takeanotherstep.Shelookedbackoverhershoulder.Emperor Jagangwas standing just outside his tent, holding by the hair the

womanhehadthreatenedtotorture.Shewasinhelplesstears.Kahlan had done something hard to save Jillian’s life. She decided that she

woulddevoteherselftodoingthistosavethelifeofthewomanJagangnowheldundersuch terrible threat.She, too,wasaslavewhohadnochoice inher life.OnlyKahlancouldmakeachoicethatwouldsparethewomanterriblesuffering.Kahlan turned back to the pandemonium of the camp and started out. The

groundwasroughandshehadtostepcarefullytoavoidnotonlyrocksandbitsofbrokengear,butfreshmanureaswell.She reminded herself that none of these men could see her. She paused at

anotherdefensivelinewherebigbrutesstoodguard.Shepeekedupatthemanbesideher.Hedidn’tnoticeher,but insteadwatched thoseoutbeyond.So far,noneofthemencouldseeher.ShelookedbackandsawtheSisterswaitingforhertogetfartheraway.Jagangwasstillholdingthewomanbythehair.Kahlanunderstoodthemessageandwithoutwastingamomentstartedmovingagain.Shesawhorsesnearbyandbrieflycontemplatedmakingarunforthem.Inher

mindsheenvisioned jumpinguponto thebackofahorseandgallopingaway,escapingoutofthecampaltogether.Sheknewitwasonlyafantasy.TheSisterswouldunleasha torrentofpain throughthecollarandbringherdown.What’s

more,thewomanJagangheldwoulddie.Hewasnotamantomakeidlethreats.Hecarriedthemoutlestanyoneeverthinkhewasthekindtobluff.Kahlanknewsuchanescapewas impossible,but thinkingabout it tookher

mindoffallthemensocloseallaroundher,offallthefilthyhandsshecouldn’thelp staring at. She felt completely vulnerable and exposed. She stood outamongthesprawlingencampmentlikeanalabasterwater-lilyblossomstrandedinthemiddleofavast,reekingmudflat.Shemovedquickly,reasoningthatthesoonershemadethecircuit,thesooner

she would be back in the sheltering protection of the tent. It was a terriblethought, Jagang’s tent being her protection, that terrible man her security. Atleastshewouldbeoutofsightagainandright thenthatwasallshewanted.Itbecame the focusofher thoughts.Make thedistance to the rocks andmake itback.Thesoonershedidit,thesoonershewouldbebackinside.Unlessthereweremenoutinthismassofsoldierswhocouldseeher.Itonly

made sense. She had run across two people who could see her and that wasamongasmallsamplingofpeople.Thereweremillionsofmeninthisarmy.Thechanceswerethatshewouldrunacrossmenwhowouldseeheronlytoowell.What would she do then? She glanced back over her shoulder. The Sisters

looked like theywerewaybackacrossa riverofmen.What ifamangrabbedherandpulledherdown,draggedheraway?TheSistersfinallystartedfollowingafter,buttheywerealongwayback.Kahlanworriedaboutwhatwouldhappenifmencouldseeher,andgrabbedher.Whatifawholegroupofmenallcouldsee her?Would the Sisters be able to pull awholemob off her?Besides, theSisterswerea longwayback.KahlanworriedhowfararapewouldgobeforetheSistersshowedup.ButtheSisterscouldcastmagic.Surely,theywouldnotallowmentoravish

her.Shewonderedwhatmadeherhaveanysuchconfidence.Jagang. He wanted her for himself. He was not the kind of man to let

underlings have his prize of prizes. He would want to take her himself. Thethoughtofhimontopofherranashiveroficydreadthroughher.The immediate problem, though,was not Jagang, it was thesemen. In one

fluidmovement,asshepassedasoldierwithhisbacktoher,sheliftedaknifefromthesheathathiship.Shemadethemotionfitinwiththeswingofherarms,sothatif theSisterswerelookingtheywouldn’thaveseenwhatshehaddone.Themanglancedaround,havingfeltsomething.Eventhoughhelookeddirectlyatherforaninstant,hisgazemovedonandhewentbacktohisconversation.Themenshehadbeenmovingamongwereallstilltheouterringsofthemany

layersaroundtheemperor’scompound,butshewasnowmovingoutbeyond,inamongtheregularsoldiers.Theyweredrinking,laughing,gambling,andtellingstoriesaroundfires.Horseswerepicketedamongthem.Wagonsstoodaboutatvarious places. Somemen had already pitched crude tents, while others werecontenttocookoverfires,orsleep.She saw, too,womenbeing taken into the tents.Nonewent cheerfully. She

sawotherwomenemergeonlytobesnatchedupbywaitingmenanddraggedtothenexttent.KahlanrememberedJagangmentioningsendingtheSistersouttothetentsaspunishment.HearingthewomeninthosetentsweepingmadeKahlansweat in dread of her own fatewhen she finally returned to Jagang’s tent.Asterrifyingacircumstanceasbeingtakenintothosetentswiththosemenwouldbe,KahlancouldnotfeelsorryfortheSisters.Iftheyendedupbeingrapedbythesemen itwasnotenoughpunishment toKahlan’smind.Theydeserved farworse.Oneofthenearbymenglancedupather.Kahlancouldseerecognitionflash

in his eyes—eyes that fixed on her.He sawher.Hismouth fell open, thrilledwithhisluckatwhatsortofwomanhadjuststumbledintohisarms,sotospeak.Ashe roseup,beforehewas fullyerect,Kahlan slicedhisbellyopen from

one side to the other as she swiftly continued tomove past, as if nothing hadhappened.Theman,hisfaceregisteringtheshockofit,weaklytriedtocatchhisguts as they spilled out in a heavymass.He toppled over and crashed to thegroundwhilemakingpanickedgruntsthatweren’tnoticedasanythingmorethantheother raucousnoiseallaround.Whenhehit theground,his insidesspilledout.Menturnedtolook,someshocked,somelaughing,allofthemthinkingthemanhadjustlostaknifefight.Kahlan didn’t slow or look back. She kept moving, without breaking her

stride,remindingherselfofhertask:gettotherock,getbacktothetent.Makethecircuit.Doasshehadbeentold.Asamanappearedoutofthecrowdandrusheduptoher,shetightenedher

musclesandusedhismomentumtodrivetheknifeupunderhisribs,rippinghisvital organs apart. The lifting cut, like a punch, along with his descendingweight,droveherfistthroughthegashandintohiswarminsides.Bythewayhewentdownlikeasackofsandwithoutsomuchasaword,shewasprettysurethatshehadmanagedtocutopenhisheart.Asamementoofthebriefencounter,shenowworeagloveofhisblood.Shewonderedwhereshehadlearnedtodosuchthings.Itfeltliketheycame

instinctively to her, theway emotions just camenaturally,without theneed tosummon them. She couldn’t remember anything about herself, but she

rememberedhowtouseaweapon.Shesupposedthatsheshouldjustbegladshecould.Inmaking herway out into the sea ofmen, she came to a dense island of

activity.Menhadalldrawnback to leaveanopen field in thecenterofa lowarea,andteamsofmenwereplayingJa’Lathere.Soldiersgatheredallaroundinthetensofthousandscheeredononeteamortheother.Thegamewasaviolentaffair,withthepointmanencounteringtheworstofitfromtheotherteam.Whenhewentdown,bloodied,halfthemensurroundingthefieldcheeredwildly.“Well,well,”amantoherleftsaid.“Lookslikeafinewhorecometopayme

avisit.”Asshebegan to turn towardhim,anotherman to the right seizedherwrist,

twisted,andhadherknife.Inaninstant,bothmenwereonher,grabbingather,pullingherbackawayfromthecrowdgatheredtowatchtheJa’Lagame.Kahlanfoughttogetfree,buttheywerealotstronger,andhadtakenherby

surprise.Shesilentlyragedatherselfforbeingcaughtunawareslikethat.Noneof the men around noticed anything at all. They couldn’t see her; she wasinvisible to them,butnot to these two,whopressed in tight, tohideher fromtheir fellow soldiers lest they have to fight for their fresh prize. Shemight aswellhavebeenalonewiththesetwo.One of them shoved his hand between her legs. She gasped at the sudden

violation.Asheleanedintogropeher,shemanagedtogetherwristfree.Inaninstantshewhippedherarmaroundandslammedherelbowinto thecenterofhis face, breaking his nose.He fell back screaming, blood gushing across hischeeksandeyes.Theothermanlaughed,seeingitashisopportunitytohaveherforhimself.Hechangeddirection,pullingheralong,holdingbothofherwriststogetherinoneofhispowerfulhandsasheusedtheothertoexplorethespoils.Kahlanstruggledand twisted,buthewasfar toobigandhuskyforher.She

couldn’tgetanyleveragetobreakfreeofhisgrip.“You’re a feisty one,” he said into her ear. “What did you think—that you

couldavoidyoursacreddutytothesoldiersoftheOrder?Thinkyou’retoogoodto serve in the tents?Well, you’renot.Here’smy tent, so it’s time todoyourduty.”Kahlantwistedaroundtotrytobitehimashedraggedhertowardanempty

tentnot faraway.Hebackhandedher.Theblowstunnedher.Thenoiseof theencampment seemed to fade away. She couldn’t make hermuscles do as shewished,couldn’tmakethemresistthegrimysoldierashepulledhertowardthetent.Suddenly,KahlansawSisterUlicia’sface.Shehadneverbeforebeengladto

seeoneoftheSisters,butshewasnow.The Sister distracted the man’s attention from Kahlan for an instant, then

pressedherfingerstothesideofhisforehead.Finallyfree,Kahlanjumpedbackashercaptordroppedtohisknees,clutchinghisfiststohisheadashecriedoutinpain.“Get up,” Sister Ulicia told him. “Or I’ll do worse by far.” He stood on

wobbly legs.“Youareordered immediately to theemperor’s tent toserveasaspecialguard.”Themanlookedconfused.“Specialguard?”“That’s right. You will be guarding this troublesome young lady for His

Excellency.”ThemangaveKahlanadangerouslook.“Itwouldbemypleasure.”“Pleasureornot,getmoving.That’sanorderfromEmperorJaganghimself.”

Shepointedathumbbackoverhershoulder.“Thatway.”The soldier dipped his head in a bow, obviously fearful of her abilitywith

magic.HeregardedtheSisterwithakindofwary,ifunspoken,loathing.Thesemenobviouslydidnotholdthosewiththegiftinhighregard.“I’llbeseeingmoreofyou,soon,”themanpromisedKahlanbeforeheranoff

todoashe’dbeenordered.Kahlan saw Sister Armina giving the man with the broken nose the same

instructions. She spoke in a voice that Kahlan couldn’t hear over the riot ofcheering,butthemanclearlyheardherbecausehestiffenedwithfear,bowedtoher,andranoffafterthefirstman.SisterUlicia turned her attention back toKahlan. “Tearswon’t do you any

good.Nowgetgoing.”Kahlan didn’t argue. The sooner it was over, the better. She started out at

once,countingherselffortunatetohaveeliminatedtwoofthefourwhohadsofarbeenable toseeher.Shehad toskirt theJa’Lagame thatwasworking thecrowdofmentoafeverpitchofexcitement.Shepausedatonepointtoriseuponhertiptoesandmakesurewheretherockwas;thensheheadedforit.By the time she hadmade it back to Jagang’s tent, they had collected five

men. All of them stood outside the tent, awaiting orders, including the onenursing his broken nose. He glared at her as she walked past him, usheredthroughthetent’sopeningbythetwoSisters.KahlanhadmanagedtoquicklyarmherselfafterSisterUliciahadrescuedher

the first time. This time, though, Kahlan had seen to it that she secured twoknives,oneforeachhand.Sheheldthehiltsinherfists,withthebladeslyingupagainst the insides of her wrists so that the Sisters, following her at a good

distance,hadn’tbeenabletoseethem.Kahlanhadmanaged tokillanothersixmenwhocouldseeher,without the

Sisters realizing what she had done. It hadn’t been hard; they saw no threatcoming froma nakedwoman.Theywere deadwrong.With their guard downshehadbeenabletothrustherweaponshomequicklyandwithoutafuss.Therewassomuchnoise,confusion,drinking,yelling,and fighting in thecamp thattheSistersnevernoticedthemenKahlanhadtakenout.When she hadn’t been able to dispatch the men who could see her, either

becauseSisterUliciaorArminaweretoocloseorbecausetheywerewatchingcloselyandrushedintorescueherandgivethesoldierstheirnewassignmentsas special guards,Kahlan always let her knives slip to the ground and vanishunder the throngof soldiers so that theSisterswouldn’t suspectwhat she hadbeenupto.Beinginvisibletoalmostallthemen,ithadbeeneasyenoughtogetmoreknivesthroughoutthelong,nerve-rackingwalkamongthesoldiers.Once she was inside the tent, Jagang threw Kahlan’s clothes at her. “Get

dressed.”Ratherthanquestioninghisreasonsforacommandshehadn’texpected,she

wastednotimeincomplyingwithhisorders.Undertheunwaveringdarkgazeoftheman,itwasahugerelieftofinallyhaveherclothesbackon.Itdidn’tseemtolessenhisobviousinterestinwhathehadseen,though.HisattentionfinallyturnedtothetwoSisters.“I’veinstructedournewguards

in their duties.”He smiled in away thatmade both Sisters swallow in dread.“Whatwithsomeguardstotaketheloadoffyourbacks,youwillhavesomefreetimetospendinthetents,beingonyourbacksforadifferentduty.”“ButExcellency…”SisterArminasaid ina tremblingvoice,“wehavedone

everythingyourequested.Wegotthemen—”“Youthinkthatbecauseyoudoasyou’retoldforashorttimeIwillforgetthe

years you have been running around plotting and scheming to dome in?YouthinkIwillsoeasilyforgetyourneglectofyourdutytoothers,yourobligationsto the cause of the Order, yourmoral responsibility to sacrifice your worldlywishestothegoodofothers?”“Itwasn’tthatway,Excellency.”SisterArminadry-washedherhandsasshe

searched for words that might save her. “Yes, we were shamefully selfish, Iadmit,butwehadnodirectthoughttoharmyou.”He snorted a laugh. “You don’t think freeing theKeeper of the underworld

wouldharmme?Youdon’tthinkturningmankindovertotheKeeperofthedeadwouldbeagainstme,againstthewaysoftheOrder,againsttheCreator?”SisterArminafellsilent.Sheknewshehadnoargument.Kahlanhadalways

thought of the Sisters as vipers. But now theywerewrithing before someonewithhidetootoughtosinktheirfangsinto.SisterUliciaandArminawereattractivewomen.Kahlanhadthefeelingthat

their lookswereonlygoing tomake itworse for themout among theanimalsthatweretheImperialOrderarmy.“Ihavecontrolofthe…”Jagangcaughthimselfalmostusinghertitle.“…of

Kahlan,throughthecollar,throughyourability.Youdon’tneedtobepresentformetocalluponthatpowerifnecessary—justalive.IwillinstructthementhatIdon’twantyoutwomurderedwhiletheyareenjoyingyourfemininecharms.”“Thank you, Excellency,” Sister Uliciamanaged in a small voice. Shewas

grippingherskirtsinwhite-knuckledfists.“Now, there are twomenwaitingoutsidewhohavebeen instructed inwhat

they are to dowith you both. Gowith them.” He grinned at them like deathitself.“Haveagoodnight,ladies.Youdeserveit—andmanymore.”Astheyleftthetent,Kahlanstoodinthecenter,awaitingasimilarfate.Jagang stepped closer to her. Kahlan thought she might either faint from

dread,orbesickatthethoughtofwhatwasabouttohappentoher.

Chapter45Kahlanstaredatthepatterninthecarpetonthegroundatherfeet.Shedidn’t

want to look defiantly into Jagang’s black eyes. A show of bravery at themoment,sheknew,wouldservelittlepurpose.WhenshehadbeenmadetowalkwhiletheSistersrode,shehadalwaystold

herselfthatitwouldmakeherstrongerforatimewhenshewouldneedstrength.Inmuchthesameway,shewouldn’tnowuseherresolveforauselessshowofdefiance.Railingagainsthercaptorandwhathewasabouttodotoherwhensheknew that she could do nothing to stop it would only be squandering herstrength.Shewantedtosaveherhotrageuntilthetimewasright.And that time would come. She promised herself that such a time would

come.Even if itwaswhen she threwherself into the teethofdeath itself, shewouldunleashhersmolderingangeratthosewhodidthistoherandalltheotherinnocentvictimsoftheImperialOrder.She saw Jagang’s boots appear right in front of her. She held her breath,

expectinghimtoseizeher.Shedidn’tknowwhatshewoulddowhenitactuallyhappened,howshewouldbeabletoendurewhatsheknewhewasgoingtodo.Hergazeliftedjustalittle,justenoughtoseewherehisknifewasonhisbelt.Herestedtheheelofhishandontheknifehandle.“We’regoingout,”hesaid.Kahlanlookedupwithafrown.“Out?Forwhatpurpose?”“TonightisanightofJa’LadhJintournaments.Differentunitsofoursoldiers

haveteams.Therearenightsdevotedtothetournaments.Itliftstheheartsofourforcestohavetheiremperortheretowitnesshowtheyplaythegame.“Menarealsogatheredfromallover theconqueredpartsof theNewWorld

andgiventhechancetojoininchallengingotherteams.Itisagreatopportunityfor them to begin to fit into the new culture we bring to defeated lands, tobecomepartofthefabricoftheOrder,toparticipateinourways.“Thebestplayerscansometimesbecomeheroes.Womenfightoversuchmen.

The men of my team are all such men—heroes who never lose. Crowds ofwomenwait for thesemen after the games, eager to open their legs for them.Ja’Laplayershavetheirpickofanywoman.”Kahlannoted thatwhile,asemperor, Jagangprobablyhad thepickofmany

womenwhowouldwant tobeclose tosuchamanofauthorityandpower,hewouldrather forcehimselfonher.Hewouldrather takewhatwasnotoffered,havewhathehadnotwonasaresultofmerit.“Tonight some of those teams play for ranking.They all hope that one day

theymighthavethechancetoplaymyteaminagrandcontestfor tophonors.My team plays the best of the best once or twice a month. They never lose.Thereisalwaysaburninghopeamongeachnewgroupofchallengersthattheywill be the ones to defeat the best—the emperor’s team—and be crownedchampionsofthegames.Therewouldbemanyrewardsforsuchateam,nottheleast ofwhichwould be themost beautiful of thewomenwho now are eageronlytobewiththemenofmyteam.”Heseemedtoenjoytellingheraboutthehabitsofsuchwomen,asifhewere

generalizingaboutallwomenandinsodoingtellingherthathethoughtshewasatheartthesame.Shewouldratheropenavein.Sheignoredtheinnuendoandaskedhimsomethingelseinstead.“Ifyourteamisnotplaying,whydoyouwishtowatch?Surelyamansuchas

youwouldnotbestowyourpreciouspresenceonthefaithfulonsucharegularbasisjusttobegenerous.”Hepeeredatherwithapuzzledlook,asifitwereastrangequestion.“Tosee

theirstrategy,ofcourse,tolearnthestrengths,theweaknesses,ofthosewhowillbecometheopponentsofmyteam.”His sly smile returned. “That iswhat you do—size up thosewhomight be

youropponents—anddon’t try to tellme thatyoudon’t. Iseeyourgazego toweapons, to the layout of rooms, to the position of men, cover, and escaperoutes.You are always searching for an opportunity, alwayswatching, alwaysthinkingofhowtodefeatthosewhostandinyourway.“Ja’LadhJinismuchthesameway.Itisagameofstrategy.”“I’veseenitplayed.I’dsaythatthestrategyissecondary,thatit’sprimarilya

gameofbrutality.”“Well,ifyoudon’tenjoythestrategy,”hesaidwithasmirk,“thenyouwillno

doubtenjoywatchingmensweat,strain,andstruggleagainstoneanother.That’swhymostwomenliketowatchJa’La.Menenjoyitforthestrategy,thegiveandtake of the contest, the chance to cheer their team to victory, and to imaginebeing such men themselves; the women like to watch half-naked bodies andsweat-slickedmuscles.They like towatch the strongestmenprevail,dreamofbeing the desire of conquering heroes, and then scheme of ways to makethemselvesavailabletosuchmen.”“Bothsoundpointlesstome.Eitherbrutality,ormeaninglessrutting.”Heshrugged.“Inmytongue,Ja’LadhJinmeans‘thegameoflife.’Isnotlife

astruggle—abrutalcontest?Acontestofmen,andofsexes?Life,likeJa’La,isabrutalstruggle.”Kahlanknew that life couldbebrutal, but that suchbrutalitydidnotdefine

lifeoritspurpose,andthatthesexeswerenotrivals,butmeanttosharetogetherintheworkandjoysoflife.“Tothoselikeyouitis,”shesaid.“That’sonedifferencebetweenyouandme.

Iuseviolenceonlyasalastresort,onlywhenit’snecessarytodefendmylife—myrighttoexist.Youusebrutalityasatooloffulfillingyourdesires,evenyourordinarydesires,because,exceptbyforce,youhavenothingworthwhiletoofferto exchange forwhat youwant or need—and that includeswomen.You take,youdonotearn.“I’mbetterthanthat.Youdon’tvaluelifeoranythinginit.Ido.That’swhy

youmustcrushanythinggood—becauseitputsthelietoyournothingofalife,showsbycontrasthowyoudonothingbutwasteyourexistence.“That’swhyyouand those likeyouhate those likeme—because I’mbetter

thanyouandyouknowit.”“Suchabeliefisthemarkofasinner.Toconsideryourownlifemeaningfulis

acrimeagainsttheCreatoraswellasyourfellowman.”Whensheonlyglaredathim,hearchedaneyebrowwithanadmonishinglook

asheleanedalittlecloser.Heheldupathickfinger—adornedwithaplunderedgoldring—beforeherfacetomarkanimportantpoint,asif lecturingaselfish,headstrongchildwhowaswithinaninchofgettingawell-deservedthrashing.“TheFellowshipofOrder teachesus that tobebetter thansomeone is tobe

worsethaneveryone.”Kahlan could only stare at such a vulgar ideology. That pious statement of

hollowconvictiongaveher a sudden, true insight into the abyssofhis savagenature,andthevindictivecharacteroftheOrderitself.Itwasaconceptthathadabandoned the distant foundation upon which it had been built—that all lifeequallyhadtherighttoexistforitsownsake—inordertojustifytakinglifefortheOrder’sowncontrivednotionofthecommongood.Within that simple-sounding framework of an irrational tenet, he had just

unwittinglyrevealedeverything.It explained the depravity of hiswhole cause and the determinant emotions

drivingthenatureofthosemonstrousmenmassedoutside,readytokillanyonewho would not submit to their creed. It was a dogma that shrank fromcivilization, praised savagery as a way of existence, and required constantbrutalitytocrushanynobleideaandthemanwhohadit.Itwasamovementthatdrew to it thieves who wanted to think themselves righteous, murderers whowanted holy absolution for the blood of innocent victims that drenched theirsouls.Itassignedanyachievementnottotheonewhohadcreatedit,butinsteadto

thosewhohadnotearneditanddidnotdeserveit,preciselybecausetheydidnotearnitanddidnotdeserveit.Itvaluedthievery,notaccomplishment.Itwasanathematoindividuality.At the same time, itwas a frighteningly sad admission of a rotting core of

weakness in the faceof life, an inability to existonany level except thatof aprimitive beast, always cowering in fear that someone elsewould be better. Itwasnotsimplyarejectionofallthatwasgood,aresentmentofaccomplishment—it was, in fact, far worse. It was an expression of a gnawing hatred foranything good, grown out of an inner unwillingness to strive for anythingworthwhile.Likeallirrationalbeliefs,itwasalsounworkable.Tolive,thosebeliefshadto

be ignored to accomplish goals of domination, which in themselves were aviolationofthebeliefforwhichtheywerefighting.TherewerenoequalsamongthoseoftheOrder,thetorchbearersofenforcedequality.WhetheraJa’Laplayer,themost professional of the soldiers, or an emperor, the bestwere not simplyneededbut sought after andhighlyvalued, and soas abody theyharboredaninnerhatredoftheirfailuretoliveuptotheirownteachingsandafearthattheywould be unmasked for it. As punishment for their inability to fulfill theirsanctifiedbeliefsthroughadherencetothoseteachings,theyinsteadturnedtotheself-flagellation of proclaiming how unworthy all men were and vented theirself-hatredonscapegoats:theyblamedthevictims.Intheend, thebeliefwasnothingmorethanfabricateddivinity—unthinking

nonsense repeated in a mantra in an attempt to give it credibility, to make itsoundsacred.“I’vealreadyseentheJa’Lagames,”Kahlansaid.Sheturnedawayfromhim.

“Ihavenodesiretoseemoreofit.”Heseizedherupperarm,pullingherbackaroundtofacehim.“Iknowyou’re

eagertohavemebedyou,butyoucanwait.RightnowwearegoingtowatchtheJa’Lagames.”Alecheroussmileoozedontohisface,likegreasymuckbubblingupfromhis

festering soul. “If you don’t enjoy watching the games for their strategy andcompetition,thenyoucanletyoureyesroamoverthenakedfleshoftherivals.I’msurethatsuchsightswillmakeyoueagerforwhatcomeslatertonight.Trynottobetooimpatient.”Kahlan suddenly felt foolish forprotestingany reason toavoidhisbed.But

theJa’Lagamewasoutamongthemen,andshehadnodesire togoout thereagain. She also had no choice. She hated being among those vile men. Sheremindedherselftogetagriponherfeelings.Thesoldierscouldn’tseeher.She

wasbeingsilly.He pulled her toward the passageway out of the tent. She went without

resisting.Thiswasnotatimetoresist.Outside, the five special guards waited. They all noticed that Kahlan was

dressed,butnoneofthemspoke.Theystoodtall,straight,andattentive,lookingreadytojumpiftoldtodoso.Theywereobviouslyontheirbestbehaviorbeforetheiremperor,wantingtoimpresshim.Kahlanguessed that tobebetter thansomeonewasall right ifyouwere the

emperor, and that itwouldn’tmakehimworse thaneveryone.He fought foradoctrinefromwhichheexemptedhimself,asdideachandeveryoneofhismen.Kahlanknewbetterthantopointitout.“Theseareyournewguards,”Jagangtoldher.“We’llnothavearepeatofthe

lastincident,sincethesemencanseeyou.”The men all looked pretty content with themselves, and the apparently

harmlessnatureofthewomantheyweretoguard.KahlantookaquickbutgoodlookatthefirstmantheSistershadbroughtto

task,thepartneroftheonewiththebrokennose.Withaglancesheevaluatedtheweapons he carried, a knife, and a crudelymade swordwith two halves of awoodenhiltwiredontothetang,andhowgracelessheappearedinthewayheworethem.Inthatglancesheknewthattheywereimplementshenodoubtusedwithbravadowhenslaughteringinnocentwomenandchildren.Shedoubtedthathehadeverusedthemincombatwithothermen.Hewasathug,nothingmore.Intimidationwashisweaponofchoice.Byhisself-satisfiedsmile,helookedunimpressedwithher.Afterall,hehad

already,byhimself,nearlybroughthertotask,andtohistent.Inhismindhehadbeenonlyafewstepsawayfromhavingherunderhim.“You,”shesaid,pointingrightbetweenhiseyes.“YouIwillkillfirst.”The men all snickered. She swept an appraising gaze over them and their

weapons,learningwhattherewastolearn.Shepointedatthemanwiththebrokennose.“Youdiesecond,afterhim.”“Whataboutusthree?”oneoftheothersasked,unabletosuppressachuckle.

“Whatorderwillyoukillusin?”Kahlanshrugged.“YouwillknowjustbeforeIcutyourthroat.”Themenalllaughed.Jagangdidn’t.“Youwould bewell advised to take her seriously,” the emperor told them.

“The last time she got her hands on a knife she killed my two most trustedbodyguards—menalotbetteratsoldieringthanyou—andaSisteroftheDark.Allbyherself,andallinamatterofafewbriefmoments.”

Thelaughterdiedaway.“Youallwillstayonyourtoes,”Jagangsaidinalowgrowl,“orIwillgutyou

myself if I even thinkyouarebeing inattentive toyourduty. If shegetsawayunder yourwatch, Iwill sendyou to the torture tents and command that yourdeathtakeamonthandaday,thatyourfleshrotanddiebeforeyoudo.”Therewasno longer anydoubt in themen’sminds as to the seriousness of

Jagang’sorders,orthevalueofhisprize.Avastescortofhundreds,ifnotthousands,oftheinnerandmostexpertofthe

emperor’sguardsformeduparoundtheirleaderashestrodepurposefullyawayfromhis tent.The fivespecialguardssurroundedKahlanoneverysideexceptthesideJagangwason.Theyallmovedoutintothecampinawedgeofarmoranddrawnweapons.Kahlansupposed that,asa leader, Jagangwas just takingnormalprecautionsagainstspies,butshethoughtthatitwasmorethanthat.Hewasbetterthaneveryoneelse.

Chapter46Bythetimetheyreturnedtotheemperor’scompoundandhislargetentafter

theJa’Lacontests,Kahlan’slevelofworryhadrisen.Itwasn’tjusttheobviousdreadofbeingalonewith suchanunpredictable anddangerousman—orevenhernearpanicoverwhatsheknewheintendedtodotoher.It was all of that, with a sinister undercurrent to his cruelty churning just

beneaththesurface.Therewasaflushtohisface,amoreassertivenaturetohismovements,anedgyqualitytohisshortcomments,afierceintensityinhisinkyeyes.Watching the games had put Jagang in an evenmore violentmood thanwhat she believed was his norm. The games had worked him up. They hadexcitedhim—ineveryway.Backatthegameshe’dfeltthatoneoftheteamshadnotplayedtotheirfull

potential,hadnotgiveniteverythingtheyhad.He’dthoughttheywereholdingbackandnotputtingtheirallintothecontest.Whentheylost,hehadthemexecutedonthefield.Thecrowdhadcheeredmoreatthatthanattherathertediousplayofthegame

itself.Jagangwashailedforputtingtheloserstodeath.Thegamesthatfollowedwere played with considerably more passion, and on ground soggy from theblood of the beheadings. Ja’La was a game in which men ran, dodged, anddartedpastoneanother,orblocked,orchasedthemanwiththeheavyball—thebroc—trying tocapture it,orattackwith it,or scorewith it.Menoften fellorwereknockedfromtheir feet.When theydid theyrolledacross theground. Inthe summer heat,without shirts, theywere soon slick not justwith sweat butwithblood.FromwhatKahlancouldseeofthefemalecampfollowerswatchingfromthesidelines,theyweren’tintheleastputoffbytheblood.Ifanything,itmadethemonlymoreeagertocatchtheattentionoftheplayerswhowerenowwhippingthecrowdintoafrenzywiththeirfast-paced,aggressivetactics.Inalltherestofthegamesaftertheoneresultinginexecutions,asintheones

previous, the losing teams, since they had at least played with wilddetermination,werenotputtodeathbutflogged.Aterriblewhip,madeupofanumberofknottedcordsboundtogether,wasusedforthepenalty.Eachofthosecordswastippedwithheavynuggetsofmetal.Themenweregivenonelashforeachpointbywhichtheylost.Mostlosingteamslostbyseveralpoints,butevenonelashfromthatwhiprippedopenthenakedfleshofaman’sback.Thecrowdenthusiasticallycountedouteach lash toeachmanon the losing

teamkneelinginthecenterofthefield.Thewinnersoftencavortedaroundtheperimeterofthefield,showingoffforthecrowd,whilethelosers,withbowedheads,receivedtheirwhipping.

IthadmadeKahlansicktowitnesssuchathing.IthadexcitedJagang.Kahlanwas relieved that thegameswereat lastover,butnow that shewas

backinsidetheemperor’scompoundandabouttoenterhistent,agnawingsenseofdreadwas eating awayat her insides. Jagangwas in a temperprovokedbyviolenceandarousedbyblood.Kahlancouldsee inhiseyes thathewasinnomoodtobedeniedanything.Andtheonlythingleftforhimthatnightwasher.Asthespecialguardswerejustabouttobepostedoutsidethetent,shespotted

a man running into the compound, being followed by a small group of men.Jagang paused in his instructions to Kahlan’s special guards as the rings ofdefenderspartedtoletthemanandagaggleofofficersthrough.Whenthemancametoabreathlesshalt,heannouncedhimselfasamessenger.“What is it, then?” Jagang asked themessenger, scrutinizing the half-dozen

menofrankwithhim.Jagangwasnotatallpleasedtobebotheredwhenhehadhismindsetonotherthings.Kahlan knew that she was the focus of his brooding thoughts, and that he

wantedtogetherinside,andalone.Thetimehadcomeandhewasimpatienttogetather.Hehadsofarnot touchedher inany impropermanner.Hewassaving itall

up. Inmuch thesameway thatanycity in thepathofhisarmyhad towait inagonizing dread for the impending assault, she, too, felt the stranglehold ofoverpoweringfearasshewaitedforwhatsheknewwascoming.Shetriednottoimaginewhathewasgoingtodotoherandwhatitwouldbelike,butshecouldnotthinkofanythingelse,anymorethanshecouldslowhergallopingheart.The messenger handed over a leather tube. It made a hollow thunk when

Jagangpoppedthelidoff.Withtwofingersheextractedarolledpieceofpaper.Hebroke thewaxseal,unrolled it, andheld itup to read it in the lightof thetorches flanking the entrance to his tent. The rings he wore on each fingersparkledintheflickeringtorchlight.Atfirstfrowning, theemperorbegantosmileasheread.Hefinallylaughed

aloudashelookedupathisofficers.“ThearmyoftheD’HaranEmpirehasfledthefieldofbattle.ScoutsandSistersalikehaveallreportedthesamething,thattheD’HaransweresoterrifiedoftheprospectoffacingJagangtheJustandthearmyof theOrder that theyall deserted andhave scattered in everydirection,provingwhatfaithlesscowardstheyreallyare.“The forces of theD’HaranEmpire are nomore.There is nothing standing

betweenusandthePeople’sPalace.”Theofficerscheeredtheiremperor.Everyonewassuddenlyinajovialmood.

Jagangbestowedhiscongratulationson theofficers forbeingapartofputtingtheenemyontherun.Asshe listened,standingoff to thesidewhile theothersallwatchedJagang

wavingthepaperandspeakingoftheendofthelongwarbeingathand,Kahlanslowly,carefully,liftedaleguntilherfingersfoundthehiltoftheknifetuckedintoherrightboot.Makingas littlemovementaspossiblesoasnot todrawtheattentionof the

fivemenwhocouldseeher,orJaganghimself,sheworkedtheweaponupoutofthebootandintoherfist.Assoonasitwassecurelyinhand,sheretrievedthesecondknifefromtheotherboot.She tightly grasped the leather-wrapped handle of eachwell-madeweapon,

workingher fingers toget a securegripon thehilts.Havingweapons inhandfilledherwithasenseofpurpose,banishingherhelplessdreadatwhatwas instoreforherthatnight.Shenowhadawaytostrikeatthem.SheknewthatshemightnotbeabletostopJagangfromwhathewoulddotoher,butitwouldnotbewithoutafight.Thiswasherchancetoextractaprice.Shedidn’tmoveherhead,onlyhereyes,asshetookstockofwhereeachman

wasstanding.Jagang,unfortunately,wasnotclosetoher.Hehadsteppedtothemessenger, and then closer to his officers.Kahlan knew that hewas far fromstupid.Ifshewere towalkuptohissidehewouldinstantlybesuspicious.Hewouldknowthatshewouldnotdosuchathingwillingly.Shealsoknewthathewas an experienced fighter. He would react before she could lunge at him.Havinghimcloserprobablywouldn’thavedonehermuchgoodanyway.Therewerebettertargets,abetterchanceforsurprise.Thefivespecialguards

wereclosetoherleft,theofficersalittlefartherawaytoherright.Theofficerscouldn’t see her.Beyondwas a camp ofmenwho couldn’t see her.But eventhoughtheofficerscouldn’tseeher,thefivecouldandassoonasshemovedshewouldhaveonlyaninstantbeforetheyreacted.Sheknewthatshecoulddrawa lotofblood,but therewas littlechanceshe

wouldescape.Thealternativewastosubmitmeeklytoherimpendingrape.Kahlansummonedher rage.Shegripped thehiltsof theknives tighter.This

wasachancetostrikebackagainsthercaptors.Withastraight-in,direct,andmightythrustsheslammedthelongknifeinher

lefthandintothecenterofthechestofthespecialguardshehadpromisedtokillfirst.Somedimpartofhermindnotedhisstiffsurprise.Justbeyondhim,theeyesofthemanwiththebrokennosewentwideashe,

too,stiffenedwithshockedsurprise.Kahlanusedtheknifeplantedinthechest

ofthefirstmanasananchor,forleverage.Withthatgriptohelpher,shespunaroundthemanalreadystabbed.Atthesametime,shebroughttheknifeinherrighthandaroundwithher, inanarc.Thebladeslashedopenthe throatof themanwith thebrokennose.In twobeatsofherhammeringheartshehadkilledthemboth.Kahlandroveherleftbootintothefirstmanashefell,inordertopullfreethe

embedded knife and to spring herself in the opposite direction—toward theofficers.OnthethirdbeatofherheartshehitthefirstofficerlikeaJa’Latackle.Assheflewintohim,sheplungedtheknifeinherrighthanddeepintohisbelly,jerkingupasshedidsotoriphimopen.Atthesametimeshestabbedtheotherknifesquareintothethroatoftheman

immediately to the side and a little behind the first officer. He had been therankingofficerandtheoneshewasreallytargeting.Shehithimwithsuchforcethat the blade not only drove through the man’s throat but, hitting the spacebetweenthevertebrae,piercedallthewaythroughhisneck.Hisspinalcordcut,hisentiredeadweightdroppedstraightdownso fast thatKahlan’sgripon theknifetwistedheroffbalanceandpulledherwithhim.At thesametime,beforeshecouldcatchherselforyanktheknifeback, the

powerfromthecollarhitKahlanlikealightningbolt.Atthesametime,theotherthreespecialguardstackledher,takinghertherest

ofthewayoffherfeetandrammingherface-firstintothesoftground.Withthecollarmakingherarmsnumbanduseless,andherlegsunabletorespondtoherwishes,themenhadnotroubledisarmingher.WhenJagangshrieked theorder, theyhauledher toher feet.Kahlanpanted

fromtheeffortofthebriefbattle.Herheartstillraced.Evenifshehadfailedtoescape, she wasn’t entirely disappointed. She hadn’t really thought that herchancesofmakingitwerethatgoodtobeginwith.Shehadexpected,though,toat least kill a couple of officers, and she had accomplished that. She wasdisappointedonly that thespecialguardshadnotkilledherrather thancaptureher.Jagangdismissedtheconfusedofficers,explainingthat itwasabitofmagic

thathadgottenloose.Heassuredthemthathehadeverythingwellinhand.Theyweremenused toviolenceandseemedto take thesuddendeathof twofellowofficersbyaninvisiblehand,ifnotinstride,atleastwithalevelofself-control,reassuredbythedemeanoroftheiremperor.As they made their way out of the emperor’s compound, they collected a

numberofmenwhorushedintoremovethebodies.Theguardswhocametoseewhat thecommotionwasallaboutweredismayedtoseesuchamurderwithin

their layers of defenses. They all glanced to Jagang to gauge his mood and,seeinghimcalm,swiftlywentabout thebusinessofcarryingoff thefourdeadmen.Oncetheyhaddeparted,Jagangfinally turnedaglareonKahlan.“Isee that

youwere closelywatching the games. You appear to have been payingmoreattentiontothestrategythanthebarefleshofmuscularmen.”Kahlanmetthegazesofthethreespecialguardsholdingher.“Justkeepinga

promise.”Jagangslowlyletoutadeepbreath,asiftryingtokeepfrommurderhimself.

“Youarequitearemarkablewoman—andaformidableopponent.”“I’mthebringerofdeath,”shetoldhim.Heglancedatthefourbodiesbeingcarriedoutintothenight.“Soyouare.”He turnedhis intenseattention to the threemenholdingKahlan. “Is therea

reasonthatIshouldnotsendyouthreeofftobetortured?”Themen,whohadbeensmugabouthavingtakenherdown,suddenlydidn’t

seemsosmug.Theyglancednervouslyatoneanother.“ButExcellency,”oneofthemsaid,“ThetwomenwhofailedyoupaidWith

theirlives.Thethreeofusstoppedher.Wedidn’tletherescape.”“I am the onewho stopped her,” he said through barely restrained rage. “I

stopped her with the collar she wears around her neck.” He considered themsilently for amoment, letting his flash of rage calm down a little. “But I amcalledJagangtheJustforgoodreason.Iwillallowyouthreetoliveforthetimebeing,butletthisbealessontoyou.Iwarnedyouthatshewasdangerous.Now,perhaps,youcanseethatIknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.”“Yes,Excellency,”thethreesaidoveroneanother.Jagangclaspedhishandsbehindhisback.“Releaseher.”Hepassed awitheringglareover eachmanbefore takingKahlan’s armand

leadingherback toward theopeningof the tent.Shewasstill reelingfromtheshockofthecollar.Herjointsached,herlegsandarmsburnedfrominside.Shehadwondered if Jaganghadbeen telling the truth thathecoulduse the

collar without the Sisters needing to be present. Now she knew.Without thatcollarshemighthavestoodagoodchanceofbreakingfree;withit,shedidn’t.ShedarednottakeJagang’sabilitylightlyfromnowon.Atleastnowsheknew.Sometimes,itwasworsetowonderifsomethingwouldhavebeenpossible.“Iwantyouthreetoguardoutsidemytenttonight.Ifshecomesoutwithout

me,youhadbetterstopher.”Thethreesoldiersbowed.“Yes,Excellency.”Theyno longer lookedat all smug.They looked likewhat theywere—men

whohadjustescapedadeathsentence.As themen tookup theirposts, Jagang turnedagrim lookonKahlan.“The

lasttimeyouonlywentforawalkamongthemen.Itwasashortwalk.Yousawonly a small sampling ofmy army.Tomorrow, you are going to have amuchbetterchancetoseeagreatmanymoreofmymen.Andalotmoreofthosemenareboundtoseeyou.“I don’t knowwhat the anomaly is thatUlicia spoke of, or its cause, but it

doesn’treallymattertome.Whatmattersisthat,likeinallthings,Iintendtouseittomyadvantage.Iintendtoseetoitthatyouarewellguarded.Youwillrideagaintomorrowandwewilltakeatourthroughthetroops,butyouaregoingtodoitwithoutyourclothes.Inthatway,youwillhelpfindusagoodlysupplyofnewspecialguards.Itshouldbequiteanexcitingday.”Kahlandidn’tofferanargument—nonewouldhavedoneanygood.Shecould

tellbythecarefulwayinwhichheexplaineditthathemeantforittomakeheruncomfortable.Shesuspectedthatherhumiliationwasonlyjustbeginning.EmperorJagangusheredherinthroughtheopeningofhistentasifshewere

royalty.Hewasmockingher,sheknew.Asshemovedinsideshecouldfeelthepowerof thecollar release itsgriponher.Shecouldat lastmoveher feetandarmsonherown.Thepain,thankfully,begantofadeaswell.Inside the tent itwas nearly dark, lit only by candles.Theygave the tent a

warm glow, making it feel cozy and safe, almost like a sacred place. It wasanythingbut.Shefeltasifshewerebeingledtoherexecution.

Chapter47The slaves who had prepared a late-night sampling of light foods for the

emperor were all dismissed. At seeing the look in his eyes, and after havingheardthescreamsofdyingmen,everyonewasonlytoohappytoleavewhenhegrowledatthemtogetout.Hewatchedas theyall rushedoutand then,witha thickfingerpressed into

thecenterofherback,JagangsilentlysteeredKahlanpastthetablewithmugsofwine,plattersofmeats,loavesofdarkbread,bowlsofnuts,andarrangementsoffruits and sweets, escorting her beyond another tapestry hanging before anopeningintoaninnerbedroomwithinthetent.Thebedroomwas isolated from the restof the tentand from theoutsideby

what looked tobepaddedpanels,probably tomake itquieter.Thewallswerealso covered with hides and fabric hangings of material woven into mutedpatterns. The roomwaswarmly decoratedwith exquisite carpets, a few smallpieces of fine furniture, glass-fronted bookcases filledwith books, and ornatesilver and gold lamps. The bed, covered in furs and satin, had spiraled, darkwoodenpostsateachcorner.KahlanhidhertremblingfingersbehindherbackasshewatchedJagangcross

theroomandremovehislamb’s-woolvest.Hetosseditoverachairatasmallwriting desk. His naked chest and back were covered in dark, curly hair. Helookedlikeabearofamaninmorewaysthanone.Helookedlikeanythingbutamanwhowouldhavesatinbedcoverings.Shesuspectedthathedidn’treallyappreciate such things,butwanted themasamarkofhis station.Sheguessedthathemusthaveforgottenthatnoonewassupposedtobebetter thananyoneelseintheOrder.Sheguessedthatheneverconsideredwhetherornotthemenoutinthegrimytentshadsatinblanketstosleepunder.Jaganglookedupather.“Well,woman,takeoffyourclothes.Orwouldyou

ratherItearthemoffyou.Yourchoice.”“WhetherItakethemoff,oryouripthemoff,itisstillrape.”Hestraightenedandpeeredatherforatimeinthesilencewithinthetent.The

campoutsidehadquieteddownconsiderably,leavingonlythemutedsoundsofdistant words tomelt together into a dull hum. Themenwere tired from theday’slongmarch,aswellastheexcitementoftheJa’Lagames,andJaganghaddecreed that each day’s march would be equally swift until they reached thePeople’sPalace,somostofthemenwerenodoubtintheirtentssleeping.The only one not quieted down for the night was Jagang. If he was in an

excitedstateafter thegames, thenafterherkillingthefourmenhewasontheedgeofarampage.Kahlandidn’treallycare.Ifhebeathersenseless,thenshe

wouldn’thavetobeconsciousforwhatelsehewasgoingtodotoher.“Youaremine,now,”hesaidinalow,dangeroustone.“Youbelongtome—to

nooneelse.Tomealone.IcandowhateverIwishwithyou.IfIchoosetocutyourthroat,thenitisyourdutytobleedtodeathforme.IfIgiveyoutothosethreemenwhocanseeyou,thenyouwillsubmittothem,whetheryoulikeitornot,whetheryoudosowillinglyornot.“You belong tome, now.Your fate iswhat I choose for you.You have no

choiceinwhathappenstoyou.None.Everythingthathappenstoyouisbymychoicealone.”“It’sstillrape.”Hecrossedtheroominthreeangrystridesandbackhandedher,knockingher

sprawling.Hepulledherupby thehair andheavedher at thebed.Theworldspun asKahlan tumbled through the air. Sheonlymissed thewoodenpost byinches.“Of course it’s rape! That’s what I want it to be! That’s what you have

coming!”Hecharged to thebed like anenragedbull.Hisblackeyeswere filledwith

wildstormsofshapes.Beforesheknewit,hewasaboveher.Kahlanhaditallplannedout.Shewasn’tgoingtotrytostophim,togivehimthesatisfactionofhaving to use force to have her. But with him right there, on top of her,straddlingherhips, thosethoughtswerelost in thesuddenpanicofevents thatshedesperatelydidn’twanttohappen.Sheforgotallherplansanddesperatelytriedtopushhishandsaway,butinsuchamoodtherewasnostoppinghim.Shehadnostrengthtobegintomatchhim.Hedidn’tevenbothertoslaphertomakeherstopresisting.Withoneyank,herippedhershirtopen.Kahlanwentstillashestopped,herchestheavingfromtheeffort.Hestared

downatherbreasts.Sheused the suddenquiet to schoolherself.Shehad justkilled fourbrutes.

Shecoulddothis.Thiswasnothingcomparedwithhavingacollararoundherneck,havinghermemorystrippedawayfromher,losingheridentity,losingwhoshewas,becomingthehelplessslavetoSistersoftheDarkandanemperorofamobofthugs.Thiswasnothing.Shewasbetterthantofighthiminsuchafoolishmanner,

likea schoolgirl trying toslapaway thehandsofabully.Shedidn’t fight likethat.Shewouldn’t.Sheknewbetter.Yes,shewasterrified,butshedidn’thavetosurrendertopanic.Shewasafraidwhenshe’dkilledthosefourmen,butshehadcontrolledherfearandacted.Shewasbetterthanhewas.Hewasonlystronger.Hecouldonlyhaveherby

force.Thatknowledgegaveherathreadofpoweroverhim,andheknewit.Hecould never have her willingly because she was better than he was, and shedeservedbetterby far.Hecouldneverhaveawoman likeherexceptby forcebecausehewasweakandworthlessasaman.“Isyourprizeofprizessatisfactory,Excellency?”shemocked.“Oh, yes.” Jagang’s wicked smile widened. “Now take off those traveling

pants.”Whenshemadenomovetocomply,hediditforher,openingthebuttonsone

attimeasifopeningsomethingvaluable.Shelaywithherhandsathersides.Hehookedhis fingersover thewaist of herpants, drew themdownher legs, andpulledtheminsideoutgettingthemoffoverherfeet.Hethrewthemasideashepausedtotakeinthelengthofhernearlybarebody.Kahlansilentlybittheinsideofhercheektokeepfrompushinghishandaway

in a panic as he glided his hand up her leg, feeling the softness of her thigh.Kahlanfoughtbackhertears.Shewouldhavegivenanythingnottobethere,tobeanywhereelsebutatthemercyofthismonster.“Now,therestofit,”hesaidinathickwhisper.“Takeoffthoseunderthings.”Shecouldtellthatpullingherclothesoffhadonlyexcitedhimevenmore,so

shedidashetoldhertodo,tryingtomakeitlookanythingbutseductiveasshedidso.As hewatched her following his orders, he sat on the edge of the bed and

pulledoffhisboots.Hedroppedhispantsandkickedthemoff.Assickenedasshewas terrified by the sight of him naked,Kahlan gave in toweakness andturnedhereyesawayfromhim.Shewonderedhowshewouldeverbeabletofallinloveandletamantouch

herafterthis.Shereproachedherself.Shewasnevergoingtohavethechancetofallinlove.Shewasfrettingoveraproblemshewouldneverhave.Thebedmovedunderhisweightasheclimbedupbesideherandlaydown.

Hepausedtostareather,torunhishandoverherbelly.She’dexpectedittobearoughtouch,aharshgrabbingofher,butinsteaditwasafurtivetouch,aslow,measured evaluationof somethingquite valuable.Shedidn’t expect his gentleapproachtolastmuchlonger.“Youreallyarequiteextraordinary,”hesaidinahuskyvoice,almostmoreto

himself than toher.“Perceivingyou through theeyesofothers justwasn’t thesame—Icanseethatnow.”Histonehadchanged.Theangerhadmeltedawayundertheheatofhisdesire

forher.Hewasonthebrinkofsurrenderingtouninhibitedlust.“It’snotatallthesame…Ialwaysknewyouwereexceptional,butnowthatI

seeyou,likethis…youarearemarkablecreature.Just…remarkable.”Kahlanwonderedwhat hemeantwhen he’d said that he had perceived her

through theeyesofothers.Shewondered ifhemeant thathehadwatchedherthrough the eyesof theSisters.Shewas struckby anunexpected thought thatrattledher: itwasthethoughtofhimhavingwatchedherundressingwhenshehadthoughtthatonlyaSisterwasthere.Itfilledherwithanicyrageatsuchaviolation.Hehadbeenthere,then,watchingher,planningthis.Butatthesametimeshe

gotthefeelingthathewastalkingaboutsomethingelse,too.Therewasmoretohiswords,moremeaninginthem,somethinghidden.Somethinginthewayhe’dsaiditmadeherthinkthathewastalkingaboutsomethinginherlifebeforetheSisters,backbeforeshehadlostwhoshewas.Shewasangrythinkingabouthimwatchingher through theSisters, but thinking about him seeingher before, inherlifethatshecouldn’tremember,rattledher.Heabruptlyrolledoverontoher.“Youcan’timaginehowlongI’vewaitedto

dothistoyou.”Herbreathing,andherheartbeat,hadonlyjuststartedtosettledown.Now,it

was happening too fast. Her heart was again thumping against her ribs. Shewantedtoslowhimdown,togiveherselftimetothinkofawaytopreventhimfromdoing this to her.At the feel of his flesh against hers, though, hermindwentblank.Shecouldn’tthinkofanywaytostophim.Shecouldonlyfixateonhowbadlyshedidn’twanthimtodothis.Sheremindedherselfofthepromisesshehadmadetoherself.Shewasbetter

thanhim;sheshouldactlikeit.She said nothing.She stared past himup at the roof of the tent illuminated

softlyinthelamplight.“You can’t imagine howmuch I’vewanted to do this to you,” he said in a

suddenlymenacingvoice.“Youcan’timaginehowmuchyouhavethiscomingtoyou.”Sheshiftedhergazetomeethisnightmareeyes.“No,Ican’t.Sojustgeton

with it and sparemea speech thatmeansnothing tome, since Ihaveno ideawhatyou’retalkingabout.”She turned her eyes away to stare off oncemore. Shewanted to show him

only indifference. She freed her mind to wander. It wasn’t easy with himpressing against her, about to have his way with her, but she did her best toignore him, to think about other things. She didn’t want to give him thesatisfactionofastruggleshewouldonlylose.ShethoughtabouttheJa’Lagame,notbecauseitwassomethingshewishedtothinkabout,butbecauseitwasfresh

enoughinhermindtobeeasytorecallindetail.Heabruptlyhookedhisarmsbehindherkneesandpulledherlegsupalmost

toherchest.Itwashardtobreathe.Ithurtherhipjointstobebentlikethat,withherlegsspreadthatway,butsheswallowedbackthescreamandtriedtoignorethewayhewastryingtocontrolher,todominateherashetookher.“Ifheknew…thiswouldkillhim.”Kahlan’seyesturnedtohim.Shecouldonlypullinhalfabreathagainstthe

weightofhim.“Whoareyoutalkingabout?”She thought that maybe it was her father—a father she didn’t remember.

Perhapsshehadafatherwhowasacommanderinthearmy,andthatwaswhysheseemedtoknowhowtofightwithaknife.Shecouldn’timaginewhoelsehecouldbetalkingabout.Shewantedtosaysomethingtodeflatehim,butshethoughtbetterof itand

remainedsilent,indifferent.Jagang’smouthwas onher ear.His rough stubble scrapedpainfully against

hercheekandneck.Hisbreathingwasfastandragged.Hewaslosttothelusthewasabouttounleashonher.“Ifonlyyouknew…thiswouldkillyou,”hesaid,obviouslyandprofoundly

pleasedwiththethought.Evenmore puzzled, she remained silent, herworry building aboutwhat he

couldpossiblymean.She thought he was about to resume his obviously lecherous need, but he

restedthere,holdingherlegsopen,staringdownather.Thelengthofhishairybodypressedagainsther,onthebrinkofhisintent.Withhisweightonher,shecouldhardlygetabreath,butsheknewthatanyprotestwouldonlybemetwithdisinterestinwhatdiscomforthemightbecausingher.Inaway,shewishedhewouldjusthurryupandgetitoverwith.Thewaiting

wasmakinghercrazy.Shewantedtoscream,butsherefusedtoallowherselfto.Shecouldn’thelpdreadinghowmuchhewouldhurther,howlongitmightlast—howitwouldundoubtedlyberepeatednotjustthisnightbutinthenightstocome.Hadnothisbull-weightbeenpressingherdowninto thebedshewouldhavebeentremblinginterribleanticipation.“No,”hesaidtohimself.“No,thisisnotwhatIwant.”Kahlanwasbewildered.Shewasn’tsureshehadheardwhatshethoughtshe’d

heard.Heletgoofherlegs,lettingthemslipdownontothebedashepushedhimself

uponhishands.Shewishedheweren’tlyingbetweenherlegssothatshecoulddrawthemtogether.

“No,”he repeated.“Not like this.Youdon’twant this,but itwouldonlybeonerous.Youwouldnotlikeit,butnothingmore.“IwantyoutoknowwhoyouarewhenIdothis.IwantyoutoknowwhatI

mean toyouwhen I do this. Iwantyou tohate thismore thanyouhave everhatedanythinginyourentirelife.Iwanttobetheonetodothistoyouboth.IwanttoplantthememoryofwhatitmeanstoyouinyourmindwhenIplantmyseedinyou.Iwantthatmemorytohauntyouforhoweverlongyoumightlive,tohaunthimforever,everytimehelooksatyou.Iwanthimtolearntohateyoufor it, tohatewhatyouhavecometorepresent tohim.Tohateyourchild, thechildthatIwillgiveyou.“Todothat,youhavetoknowwhoyouare,first.IfIdothis toyounow,it

willonlydullyou to it, spoil theexquisitesuffering itwouldcauseyou ifyouknewwhoyouwerewhenithappenstoyou.”“Sothentellme,”shesaid,almostwillingtoendurerapetoknow.A slow, sly smile came to him. “Telling you is no good.Words would be

hollow, without meaning, without emotion. You have to know. You have torememberwhoyouare,youhavetoknoweverything,ifthisistotrulyberape…and I intend it tobe theworst rapeyoucansuffer,a rape thatwillgiveyouachildthathewillseeasareminder,asamonster.”Staringdownather,heslowlyshookhisheadwiththeself-satisfactionofthe

dimensionofhisintent.“Tobethat,youhavetobefullyawareofwhoyouare,andeverythingthiswillmeantoyou,everythingitwilltouch,everythingitwillharm,everythingitwilltaintforalltime.”Heabruptlyrolledoffhertotheside.Kahlandrewinabreaththatwasalmost

agasp.He gritted his teeth, and his big hand seized her right breast. “Don’t think

you’veescapedanything,darlin.You’llnotbegoinganywhere.I’monlyseeingto it that it’s a lot worse for you than this would have been, tonight.” Hechuckledashesqueezedherbreast.“Worseforhimaswell.”Kahlan could not imagine howanything couldmake itworse than itwould

have been. She could only imagine that to him, rape cast guilt on the victim.Thatwasthewayhethought,thewaytheOrderthought,thatthevictimwastoblame.Heabruptlyshovedheroutofthebed.Shelandedpainfullyonthefloor,but

atleastherfallwasbrokenbysomewhatsoftcarpets.He lookeddownat her. “Youwill sleepon the floor, right there, beside the

bed.Later,Iwillhaveyouinmybed.”Hegrinned.“Whenyourmemoryreturns,whenthiswilldestroyyou.ThenIwillgiveyouwhatyoudeserve,whatonlyI

cangiveyou,whatonlyIcandotoruinyourlife…andhis.”Kahlan lay on the floor, fearing tomove, fearing that hemight change his

mind.Shefeltheadyreliefthatthisnightshewouldnothavetoendureit.Heleanedovertheedgeofthebed,closertoher,peeringdownatherwithhis

disturbingblackeyes.Heshovedhisbighandbetweenherlegssounexpectedlythatshecriedout.Hegrinnedather.“Andifyougettheideaoftryingtothinkofawaytosneak

away,orworse,todomeinwhileIsleep,youhadbetterforgetitrightnow.Itwon’twork.All itwill get you is time in the tents, later on, after I’ve ruinedeverything for you. I’ll see to it that all thosemenwill have you, right therewheremyfingersare.Doyouunderstand?”Kahlannodded,feelingatearrundownhercheek.“Ifyoumoveoffthosecarpetsbesidethebedtonight,thenthepowerofthat

collarwillstopyou.Doyouwishtotestit?”Kahlanshookherhead,fearinghervoicemightfailher.Hewithdrewhishand.“Good.”She heard him turn over on his side, facing away from her. Kahlan lay

perfectlystill.Shecouldhardlybreathe.Shewasn’tsurewhathadhappenedthisnight,orwhatitcouldallmean.Sheonlyknewthatshefeltmorelonelythanshehadeverfeltinherlife—atleast,thepartofherlifethatshecouldremember.Inastrangewayshealmostwishedhehadrapedher.Ifhehad,shewouldnot

nowbe trembling in fearofwhathe’dsaid,wonderingwhathe’dmeant.Nowshe would have to wake each morning not knowing if that was the day sherecoveredhermemory.Whenshedid,itwassomehowgoingtomakethatrapealltheworse,makeeverythingworse,farworse.Kahlanbelievedhim.Aseagerashehadbeentohaveher,andsheknewvery

well how eager he had been, he would not have stopped at that point unlesseverythinghe’dsaidwastrue.Kahlanrealizedthatshenolongerwantedtoknowwhoshewas.Herpasthad

justbecometoodangeroustoherforhertowanttoeverknowwhoshewas.Ifsheknew,hewoulddotheworsttoher.Betterthatsheremaininoblivion,andsafefromthat.When she heard his even breathing, and then his low, rumbling snore, she

reachedoutandwith trembling fingerspulledonherunderthingsand then therestofherclothes.Despiteitbeingsummer,shewasshakingwithicydread.Shepulledanearby

carpetoverherasshe laybeside thebed,knowingbetter than to testhiswordabouttheconsequencesofanyattempttoescape.Therewasnoescape.Thiswas

herlife.Shenowonlyhopedtokeeptherestofitburiedandforgotten.Ifsheeverrememberedwhoshewas,thenherlifewouldgetinfinitelyworse.

Shewouldn’tletthathappen.Shewouldstaybehindthedarkshroud.Thisnightshewas a new person, separated fromwho she had been. That person had toremainforeverdead.ShewonderedwhothemancouldbethatJaganghadtalkedabout.Shefeared

to imagine what Jagang was going to do to him, through her, that would sodestroyhim.Sheforcedthosethoughtsaway.Thatwastheoldher.Thatpersonwasgone

forever,andwouldremainso.In thedepthsof lonelinessanddespair,Kahlancurledup inaballandwept

silentlyinrackingsobs.

Chapter48Richardwalkedinadaze,watchingthegroundbeforehimlitbymoonlight.

Through thatdark,hazystate,onlyonesparkofanythingseemedable toburnthrough.Kahlan.Hemissedhersomuch.Hewasso tiredof thestruggle.Hewasso tiredof

trying.Hewassotiredoffailing.Heachedtohaveherback.Tohavehislifewithherback.Toholdher…just

toholdher.He remembered the time,yearsbefore, in the spirithouse,whenhehadnot

knownthatshewastheMotherConfessorandshehadbeenfeelingdesperatelylonelyandoverwhelmedbythecrushingsecretsshehadtokeep.Shehadaskedhimtoholdher,justtoholdher.Herememberedthepaininhervoice,thepainofneedingtobeheld,comforted.Hewouldgiveanythingtodothatnow.“Stop,”avoicehissedathim.“Wait.”Richardhalted.Hehadtroubletryingtocarewhatwasgoingon,eventhough

heknewheshould.Hecouldreadthetensioninherposture;shewaslikeabirdofpreycockingitshead,liftingitswingstheslightestbit.Hecouldn’tseemtoescapethethicklethargythatweighedhimdownsothat

hecouldthinkitthrough.Herdeportmentappearedtobethecoiledpotentialforaggression,butunderlyingthathesawahintoffear.Hefinallymanagedtosummontheconcerntotrytounderstand.Then,inthe

moonlight,hesawwhatSixwaswatching:whatlookedlikeavastencampmentspread across a valley. Because it was the middle of the night, things wererelatively quiet down below.Even through the numbmiasma of her presence,Richardfelthislevelofconcernrising.Hesawsomethingelse, too.Past thevalleyencampment,hesaw,upon the

highgroundbeyond,acastlethathethoughtherecognized.“Comeon,”Sixhissedassheglidedpasthim.Richard trudged after her, oncemore sinking back into the indifferent haze

whereallhecouldthinkaboutwasKahlan.Theywalkedforwhatseemedlikehoursthroughthecountrysideinthedead

ofnight.Sixwasasquietasasnake,moving,pausing,thenmovingagainasshemadeherwayalongminortrailsthroughthickwoods.Richardfeltcomfortedbythe smell of balsam and fir trees. The moss and ferns delighted him withchildhoodmemories.

Thedelightofthewoodsevaporatedwhentheywalkedalongcobbledstreets,amongclosedshops,pastdarkbuildings.Thereweremenintheshadows,pairsofthem,carryingpikes.Richardfeltasifhewereinadreamwatchingitallpassbeforehismind’seye.Hehalfexpectedthatallhewouldhavetodowasimaginethewoodsagainandtheywouldappear.HeimaginedKahlan.Shedidnotappear.Twomeninpolishedmetalarmorrushedoutofasidestreet.Theyfelltotheir

kneesbeforeSix,kissing thehemofherblackdress.Sheslowedonlyslightlyfor their groveling supplication. They followed along as she continued up thestreets,becomingescortsforthenight’sshadowtrailingdarknessbehindher.It all felt so dreamy. Richard knew that he should fight it, but he couldn’t

makehimselfcare.HecaredonlyaboutdoingasSixtoldhim.Hecouldn’thelphimself. Seeing the flowing form of her charmed him, looking into her eyescaptivatedhim,hearinghervoicebewitchedhim.Withouthisgift,shefilledthatemptyvoidwithinhissoul.Herpresencesomehowcompletedhim,filledhimwithpurpose.Thetwoguardswiththemgentlyrappedonanirondoorinagreatstonewall.

Asmalldoorontheinsideoverasmallslitintheirondooropened.Eyespeeredout.Theywidenedalittleatseeingthepaleshadowbeforethem.Richardcouldhearmenontheothersiderushingtodraw,backaheavybar.ThedooropenedandSixslippedthroughwithRichardintow.Hesawgreat

stonewallsinthemoonlight,butpaidthemlittleheed.Hewasmorefascinatedbythesnakingshapeleadinghimthroughthesilkynight.Once theypassed throughgreatdoors,men rushedabout, openingyetmore

doors,shoutingorders,andbringingtorches.“Thisway,”onemansaidasheledthemintoastonestairwell.Down theywent, spiraling and turning, ever deeper. Richard felt as if they

werebeingswalloweddownthegulletofsomegreatstonebeast.AslongasSixwas takinghim, though,hewascontent tobeswallowed.At lower levels, inadankcorridor,themenledherintoagloomyplace.Haywasscatteredovertheslimyfloor.Waterechoedasitdrippedinthedistance.“Hereistheplaceyourequested,”aguardtoldher.The heavy door squealed in rusty protest as he pulled it open. Inside, on a

smalltable,helitacandlewiththetorch.“Yourroomfor thenight,”Six toldRichard.“Itwillbe lightsoon. Iwillbe

back,then.”“Yes,Mistress,”hesaid.She leaned towardhima little, a thin smile slittingherbloodless face. “If I

know thequeen, shewillwant tobegin immediately.She’squite impatient, tosaynothingofbeingimpulsive.Shewillnodoubtbringthebigmenwithwhips.Iexpect thatbeforethemorningisovershewillhavethefleshtornfromyourback.”Richardstared.Hecouldn’tmakehismindgraspitall.“Mistress?”“Thequeenisnotonlyvicious,butvindictive.Youaregoingtobetheobject

of her venom. But not to worry; I still need you alive. You may sufferexcruciatingagony,butyouwilllive.”She turned with a billowing flourish and swept out the door, a shadow

swallowed into the darkness. Men funneled out the door after her. The doorbanged closed.Richard heard the lock click home.Before he knew it, hewassuddenlystandingaloneinastoneroom,deserted,forsaken,forgotten.Inthesilence,terrorbegantoseepintohisbones.Whywouldaqueenwantto

hurthim?WhatdidSixneedhimalivefor?Richard blinked. As the moments passed, he felt his mind working to

understand.ItfeltasifthefartherawaySixwent,thebetterhecouldthink.After the torcheswere gone, itwas awhile before his eyes adjusted to the

lightofasinglecandle.Helookedaroundatthestoneroom.Therewasonlyachair and a table.The floorwas stone.Thewallswere stone.The ceiling hadheavybeams.Ithithimlikeathunderclap.Denna.Thiswastheroomwherehehadbeentakenwhenhehadfirstbeencaptured

byDenna.He recognized the table.He rememberedDenna sitting in thatverychair.Helookedupandthere,rightwhereheremembereditbeing,hesawtheironpeg.Hiswristshadbeeninironmanacles.Dennahadhungthechainholdingthem

togetheroverthatironpeg.HehadhungfromitasDennatorturedhimwithherAgiel.HorrifyingimagesofthenightDennahadbrokenhimflashedthroughhismind. The night she had thought she had broken him, anyway. He hadpartitioned hismind.But he remembered the things she had done to him thatnight.Andherememberedwhathadpromptedhertosuchviolence.HehadbeenhangingtherewhenPrincessViolethadcomein towatch.The

princesshaddecidedthatshewantedtoparticipate,tojoininhistorture.DennagavethelittlemonsterherAgielandshowedherhowtouseitonhim.Richard remembered Violet bragging about how she was going to have

Kahlanraped,tortured,andfinallykilled.

Richard had kicked Violet hard enough to shatter her jaw and sever hertongue.Thiswasthatroom.Richardleanedbackagainst thestonewallandsliddowntositandrest.He

neededtothink,tofigureitout,tounderstandwhatwasgoingon.Hewas leaning against his pack, so he pulled it off and set it in his lap.A

thought struck him and he looked through the pack, pushing his war-wizardoutfitandgoldcapeasideuntilhefoundthebookBaraccushadleftforhim.Hethumbedthroughthepages.Theywerestillblank.Ifonlyhehadn’tlosthisgift,hewouldhavebeenabletoreadthebook.Ifheknewhowtousehisabilityhewouldhavebeenabletosavehimself.Ifonly.Hesuddenlyhadathought.Hecouldn’t let themfindthisbook.Sixhadthe

gift.Someformofit,anyway.Hecouldn’tletherseethis.Baraccushadhiddenit for three thousand years. Itwasmeant for no eyes but his.He couldn’t failsuchatrust.Hecouldn’tletanyoneknowaboutthisbook.Hegotupandpacedaroundtheroom,searchingforanyplacehecouldhide

the book. There was no place. It was a simple stone room. There were nocubbyholes,noniches,noloosestones.Therewasnowheretohideanything.AsRichardstood in thecenterof the room, thinking,he lookedupandsaw

theironpeg.Hemovedthroughtheroom,inspectingthebeams.Therewasonebeam,runningparallel toonewall,withoutmuchroombetween thebeamandthe wall. The beam, likemost in the ceiling, had long cracks fromwhen thefreshlycutbeamhadbeenhewnandthendried.Anideastruckhim.He immediatelypulled thechairoverandclimbedupon topof it. Itwasn’t

high enough.He pushed the chair out of theway and dragged over the table.Aftersteppingfromthechairtothetopofthetable,heatlastwasabletoreachtheironpeg.Hewiggledit,butitwasstucktight.Heneededthatironpegifhewastohidethebook.Hehookedhishandsover thepeg andused all hisweight to springup and

down.Atlastthepegbegantoloosen.Workingswiftlyandusingallhismuscle,hefinallymanagedtogetthepegtowiggle.Hewiggleditbackandforthuntilhewasabletopullitfree.Richarddragged the tableover to thesideof theroomnear thedarkcorner,

andgotupontop.Heinspectedthecrackinthebeam,findingaplacewhereitwandered toward the top, near the cross-planksoverhead.Hewedged the ironpegintothesplitinthebeam,workingitinuntilitwasstuckfast.Heretrievedthepackandcrammeditupinthetightspacebetweenthebeam

andthewall.Oncehehaditashighandasflatashecouldgetit,heshovedit

alongthebeamuntilitwedgedabovetheironpeg.Hetestedthepackbytuggingonitbutitwasstucktightlyinplace.Itwasn’tgoinganywhere.Hehoppeddownandputthetableandchairbackwheretheyhadbeen.The

packwasacolorsimilartotheagedoakofthebeam,anditwasintheshadows.Unlessapersonwaslookingforit,hedidn’tthinkanyonewouldnoticethepacklodgedupwherehehadputit.Besides,itwasthebesthecoulddo.Satisfiedthathehaddoneeverythinghecouldtokeepthebook,andthewar-

wizardoutfit,fromfallingintothewronghands,helaydownonthecoldstoneflooragainsttheoppositewallandtriedtogetsomesleep.HefounditimpossibletosleepthinkingaboutwhatSixhadpromisedhimfor

thenextday.Feargnawedathim,makinghismindrace.Heknewheneededtogetsomerest,buthejustcouldn’tcalmhimself.HedidfeelasenseofrelieftobeawayfromSix.He’dlostalltrackoftime

sincehehadbeenwith thewispsandSixhadbeen thereashe left theancienttrees. He couldn’t think when he was with her, couldn’t do anything. Sheconsumedhisentiremind.Hisentiremind.Herememberedbeinginthisroombefore,withDenna.Shehadtoldhimthat

hewastobeherpet,andthathewouldbebrokentoherwill.Herememberedtellinghimselfthathewouldletherdowhatshewould,butthathewouldsaveapiece of himself, put it away, and not allow anyone into that part, not evenhimself,untilheneededtounlockthatsafeplaceandbehimselfagain.Hehadtodothatagain.Hecouldn’tallowSixtohaveallofhismind,theway

she had since she had captured him. He could still feel the weight of herinfluence,thepullofherwill,butnowthathewasn’tinherimmediatepresenceitseemedsomuchlessbycomparisonthathefeltfreeofherandabletothink.Abletodecide,toadegree,whathewanted.Whathewantedwastobefreeofthewitchwoman.Hecreatedaplaceinhismind,ashehaddonesolongagointhisveryroom,

andhelockedapartofhimselfaway,apartofhisstrength,thecoreofhiswill,inmuchthesamewayhehadhiddenhispackawayinahiddencornerwherenoonewouldfindit.Withhisnewabilitytothink,andaplan,hefeltasenseofrelief.Eventhough

hecouldstillfeelthewitchwoman’sfangsinhim,hefeltthatshenolongerhadthecontrolshethoughtshedid.Heatlastwasabletorelaxalittle.He thought then of Kahlan. Her memory brought a sad smile. He made

himselfthinkofhappytimeswithher.Hethoughtaboutwhatitfeltliketoholdher,tokissher,tobealoneinthenightwithherwhisperingtohimhowmuchhe

meanttoher.ThinkingaboutKahlan,hedriftedofftosleep.

Chapter49Richardwokewitha startwhenheheard thedoorbeingunlocked. Itwasa

rude awakening, because Kahlan had visited him in his dreams. He didn’trememberhisdreams,buthedidknowthat thosedreamsinvolvedher.Hefeltsuffusedwithherpresence,asifhehadreallybeenwithher,onlytobepulledaway by being awake. Once he was awake, her essence immediately begandraining away. The loss of even her dream presence to cold, emptyconsciousnesswasdisheartening.Theworldseemedtohavebeenmuchricherinhisdreams.Eventhoughhedidn’trememberthem,thosedreamsseemedsweet,likemusicinthedistance.Justthefeelofthemwasenoughforhimtoknowthathewouldrathernotbeinthewakingworld.Richardstartedtosituponlytorealizehowmuchheachedfromsleepingon

thestonefloor.Givenhowfoggyhisheadfelt,hedoubtedthathehadmorethana fewhours’ sleep.Whenhe sawguards spilling into the stone room,Richardstaggeredtohisfeet,tryingtostretchhiscrampedmusclesashedidso.Six swept into the room like an ill wind. Against her wiry black hair and

flowingblackrobes,herskinlookedghostlike.Herblanchedblueeyesfixedonhim as if therewas nothing else in her world but him. Richard felt that lookcome down on him as if it were the weight of a mountain. That look, herpresence,crushedhiswill.Heswaminthefeelinginundatinghim.Asshecamecloser,hefoughttokeep

hisheadabovethedarkwatersofabdicationofhiswill.Itfeltlikefightingforhislifeinaragingriverwhosepowerfulcurrentwaspullinghimunder.“Comealong,wehavetogettothecaves.Wedon’thavemuchtime.”Rather than ask what she meant by not having much time—a question he

doubted hewould have been able to summon the strength to ask—he insteadaskedsomethingelse,somethingforwhichhehadthestrength,somethingstillstronginhisthoughts.“DoyouknowwhereKahlanis?”Sixstoppedandturnedhalfwaybacktopeerathim.“Ofcourse.Sheiswith

Jagang.”Jagang.Richardwasstunnedsenseless.SixnotonlyrememberedKahlan,but

knewwhereshewas.Sheseemedpleasedbythepainshehadsoobviouslyjustcausedhim.Six turned andmarched for thedoor. “Now, comeon.Hurry.” .;Something

waswrong.Hedidn’tknowwhat,buthecouldfeelitinherpoweroverhim.Sheheld him under her spell of seductive influence, like a balmy leash of ironstrength, yet itwas not the same as before.He could feel that somethingwas

different.Therewasatraceofdistressinherdemeanor.But thatwas hardlywhat concerned him. JaganghadKahlan.He could not

imaginehowSixevenknewwhoKahlanwasbecausehewassostunnedbythemeaningofthosewords:SheiswithJagang.If not for the pull of Six dragging him along in her wake, Richard would

surelyhavecollapsedtothefloor.HecouldnotconceiveofaworsenightmarethanJaganghavingKahlan.Histhoughtstumbledinblindpanicashefollowedthewitchwomanthroughthedarktwistsandturnsofthestonepassageways.Hehadtodosomething.HehadtohelpKahlan.NotonlywassheinthehandsofSistersoftheDark,buttheywereincollusionwithRichardandKahlan’sworstenemy.Thethoughtuppermost inRichard’smind—other thanhisfearforKahlan—

was that he knew where Jagang was. The emperor was on his way up intoD’Hara,towardthePeople’sPalace.AndnowKahlanwaswithhim.Sodeepwasheinthoughtthathefoundthattheywereoutsidebeforeheeven

realized it.HeunderstoodatoncewhathadSixsoagitated.Therewere troopspouring into thegroundsfromeverydirection.Thesewere the troops theyhadseencampedinthevalleythenightbefore.Sixcursedunderherbreathasshelookedforawaytoescapethecourtyard.

Ateveryentrancesoldiersfloodedin.Thepassagewaybackintothecastle,backto the stone room,was alreadyclosedoffby awall ofmenmarching into thecastlegrounds.Thesewereallgrimymen, somewearingplatearmor, somechainmail,but

most wore dark leather for protection. Studded leather straps crossing theirchestsheldleatherpoucheswithsupplies,orsheathedknivesattheready.Hungonheavyleatherbeltstheycarriedaxes,maces,flails,andswords.Theywereasmenacing as anymenRichard had ever seen.The guards, in chain-mail shirtscoveredwithredtunics,werenotfoolishenoughtomakeanattempttostopsuchmen,especiallynotinsuchnumbers.Richardknewwithoutadoubtthatthesemenpouringontothegroundsofthe

castlewereImperialOrdertroops.“Byagreement,”amuscularmansaidashestrodeuptoSix,“wehavecome

toseethatTamarangissecureforthecauseoftheImperialOrder.”“Yes,ofcourse,”Sixsaid.“But…this isconsiderablyearlier thanyouwere

supposedtoarrive.”Themanrestedahandonthehiltofhisswordashisdarkeyesscrutinizedthe

layout of the place. Richard recognized the quality of the weapons the mancarried,howwellmadehisarmorwas,andthewayheimmediatelytookcharge.

Thiswasthecommanderofallthesemen.“Wemadegoodtime,”hesaid.“Someofthetownsandcitiesalongtheway

offerednoresistance,sowewereabletogetherenow,ratherthanafterwinter,aswehadthought.”“Well…pleaseacceptourwelcomeonbehalfofthequeen,”Sixsaid.“I,well,

Iwasjustgoingtogolookforher.”Thecommanderworeshoulderplatesofformedleather,alongwithapressed-

leatherbreastplateembellishedwithdesigns.Lookingtohaveservedhimwell,the leatherplatehadcutsandscrapes fromfendingoffweapons.Hehad ringsliningthebackofhisleftearandatattooofscalesdownovertherighthalfofhisface,asifhewerehalfman,halfreptile.“TheOrder operates for the good of theOrder and our cause. Tamarang is

nowpartoftheImperialOrder.ItrustallherearepleasedtonowbepeopleoftheOrder?”The sound of boots on stone covered the sound of birds singing at the

impending sunrise. Men closed in all around, flowing into the courtyardwalkwayrightuptoRichard.“Yes,ofcourse,”Sixsaidtothecommander.Sheseemedtoberegainingher

composure.“ThequeenandItrustthatyouwillhonortheagreementsmade,thatthecastleisnottobeenteredbyanyonefromtheOrder,thatthecastleitselfistobelefttoHerMajesty,heradvisors,andservants.”Themanstaredintohereyesforamoment.“Makesnodifferencetome.The

castleisofnousetous.”Heblinked,asifsomewhatsurprisedtohearhimselfagreeingtosuchathing.Hepuffeduphischest,regainingsomeofhisfire.“Butbyouragreement, therestofTamarangisnowaprovinceoftheempireoftheImperialOrder.”Six bowed her head in acknowledgment. Her thin smile was back. “By

agreement.”Richard noted but hardly heard the conversation. He had been using the

loosenedgripSixhadonhimtoslipoutofit.Heusedherdistractionlikeanironbartopryherinvisibleclawsoffofhim.Hehadmanagedtopryopenthatgripjustenoughtolethismindslipout.Itwastimehedidsomethingforhimself,forKahlan.Eventhoughhehadlostthegift,andhadlosttheSwordofTruth,hehadnot

lost the lessons mastered from that weapon, much less the lessons learnedthroughout his life. He might not have had the gift, but he remembered themeaningofthesymbols.Heknewtherhythmofthedancewithdeath.iHewasstillonewithablade.

Nowheneededonlytogethishandsonablade.WhileSixandtheofficerdecidedthelimitsofwherethemenwouldgoonthe

grounds,wheretheywouldstayoutof,andwhatwastheirswithinthecityitself,Richard glanced behind, noticing the wooden handles on the swords of thesoldiers, and the leather handle on the sword of the subordinate officer rightbehind,justalittletoRichard’sright.He smiled at the man as he pulled a copper penny from his pocket and

casuallyrolleditacrosshisknuckles.Heletthepennyslipandfall,asifhewereclumsy. He squatted down to pick it up, pressing one hand to the sandy dirtbesidethepathforbalanceashereachedoutforthecoin,lettinggritsticktohispalmsandfingers.Hescoopedupthepenny,gettingaswellasmallamountofsandy dirt. The officer behind,watching his superior speaking toSix, glancedRichard’swayonlyasRichardwipedthedirtoffthepennyandthenreturneditto a pocket. Six presented amuchmore captivating subject than an awkwardnobody.Richard acted like hewas idly brushing his hands, but hewas reallycoveringhispalmsandfingerswiththegrit.Oncehebegan,hedidn’twanthishandsslippingonleather.Withoutturning,heleanedbacktowardthelesserofficerstandingbehindhim.

ThemanwasintentonthebewitchingfigureofSixasshespunherweb,tellingthemenwhatshewould like themtodo.Outofhisperipheralvision,Richardcould see thehilt of theweaponhanging at theman’ship. Itwasbettermadethantheweaponscarriedbymostofthemen.As Six and the commanderwere talking,Richard turned a little, feigning a

stretch.Inaninstant,hishandwasonthesword.Inanotherinstantthebladewasfree.Having a weapon, a sword, in his hand, instantly flooded Richard with

memories,forms,andskillshehadspentlonghourslearning.Thelessonsmighthaveinpartcomefromotherworldlysources,buttheknowledgewasnotmagic.ItwastheexperienceofcountlessSeekersbeforeRichard.Eventhoughhedidn’thavethatweaponwithhim,hestillhadthatknowledge.Theofficer, apparentlyhalf thinkingRichardwas justbeing foolish,madea

movetorecoverhisweapon.Richardspuntheswordandwithabackwardthrustranhimthrough.Othermensprangintoaction.Swordscamefreeinthecooldawnair.Bigmen

freedhugecrescentbattle-axesfromtheirbelts,alongwithmacesandflails.Richardwassuddenlyinhiselement.Thehazewasgonefromhismind.He

hadnotexpectedthepartofhismindthathehadlockedawayforsafekeepingtobecalleduponthissoon,butthetimehadcomeandhehadtoact.Thiswashis

chance.HeknewwhereKahlanwas,andhehadtogettoher.Thesemenwereinhisway.Richard swung, taking off an arm wielding an axe. The cry, the spray of

blood,madethemennearbyflinch.Inthatsliverofaninstant,Richardmadehismove.Hebroughthisswordupthroughanothermanliftinghissword.Themandiedbeforeheevenhadhisarmfullycockedback.Richardspunoutofthewayofweaponscomingforhim.Despitethesuddencacophonyofmetalclanging,ofmenyelling,Richardwas

alreadyinasilentworldofpurpose.Hewasincontrol.Thesemenmighthavethoughtthattheyhadanarmyagainsthim,butinawaythatwashisadvantage.Hedidn’t fight an army.He fought individuals.They thought like a collectivemass,acollectiveelement,allowingoneanothertomove,asifthesoldiersweretryingtobeonebigfightingcentipede.Thatwas amistake.Richard used it to cut into them.While they hesitated,

waiting forothers to act,waiting for anopening,Richardwasalreadymovingthrough their lines, cutting them down. He let them swing and lunge, usingstrengthandeffort,whilehefloated throughtheonslaughtofsteel.Every timehethrust,hemadecontact.Everytimeheswunghisweapon,hecut.Itwaslikegoingthroughthickbrush,slashingasidethebranchesthatreachedoutathim.He let the momentum of the sword power the next strike, keeping it incontinuousmotionratherthanusingeffort,andprecioustime,todrawitback.Ifhe brought the blade down, slicing through the side of a man’s neck, hecontinuedthemovement,bringingtheweaponupbehindtorunamanthroughasherushed in,and then,ashepulled thebladeout,hespunawayasswords,axes,andflailscamedownwherehehadbeenonlyamomentbefore.Itwasafluid dance, moving through the grunting, diving, jumping men. Slice, slice,slice,lettingthescreamsfillthemorningair,lettingthealarmofnotbeingabletostophimcauseotherstohesitateinfearofwhatcouldbehappening.At all times, Richard kept his objective in sight. He was heading for the

opening out of thewall. Even though he charged,wove, and feigned hiswaythrough theonslaughtofmen,heheaded relentlessly for thatopening, andhisfreedom.Hehadtogetthrough,andthenhecouldgettoKahlan.Richardscytheddownsomeofthemeninhiswaywhilehespunpastothers.

Hisobjectwasnottokillasmanyashecould,buttogettohisgoalofthatopendoorway.Eventhoughorderswerebeingshouted,soldierswerescreaminginragefora

chancetogetathim,andmenwereshriekinginpainastheywereslashedopen,

disemboweled, or stabbed, therewas quiet purpose inRichard’smind.He cutfromthatvoid.Heselectedtargetsswiftly,andcutthemdownjustasswiftly.Hedidn’twasteeffortswinging,butcutwithcertainty.Whenhesawaleaderamongthemen,amanwhomovedwithmoreskill,amanotherslookedtointheattack,Richardcutintothatstrength.Ashemovedtowardtheopeninginthewall,heslippedthroughgapsintheirguard,allthetimecutting.Hedidn’tallowhimselftopause foran instant inhis relentlessadvance.Hedidn’tallow theenemy tocatchtheirbreathashecutintothem.Hecutwithoutmercy,takinganymanhecould. Whether he looked fierce or afraid, Richard cut him down. They hadexpected him to be intimidated by their numbers, by their battle cries as theyrushedhim;hewasnot.Hecutthemdownmercilessly.Atlasthemadethedoor,beheadingthemanjusttotheleftandthentheoneto

theright.TheopeningwasatlastfreeofImperialOrdersoldiers.Richarddashedthrough.Everything came to an abrupt halt. Beyondwas a wall of archers, all with

bows drawn, all aiming their arrows at him. Men with bows and men withcrossbowswereformed intoasemicirclebeyond thedoorway, trappinghiminthatpocketofrazor-sharp,steel-tippedarrowsallaimedathim.Richardknewalltoowell thathedidn’tstandachanceagainst thehundredsofarrowsaimedathim,especiallynotatthiscloserange.Thecommanderappearedinthedoorway.“Veryimpressive.I’veneverseen

thelikeofit.”Themantrulydidsoundamazed,butitwasover.Richardheavedasighand

tossedhissworddown.The commander stepped closer, frowning as he appraised Richard, looking

himupanddown.Behind,Sixappearedintheopeningthroughthewall,ablacksilhouetteagainstthesunrise.Thecommanderfoldedhismuscledarms.“DoyouknowhowtoplayJa’La

dhJin?”Richardthoughtittheoddestquestionhecouldimagineatthatmoment.Inthe

background,beyondtherathersmallopeninginthewallhehadmadeitthrough,grievouslyinjuredmenscreamed,cried,andbeggedforhelp.Richarddidn’tshyawayfromthecommander.“Yes,Iknowhowtoplaythe

gameoflife.”The man smiled at Richard using the translation of Ja’La dh Jin from the

emperor’stongue.The commander, looking far fromconcerned about the numbers of hismen

Richard had cut down, smiled to himself as he shook his head in wonder.

Richardwasn’tconcernedforthedeadandinjured,either.Theyhadchosentobeapartofaconqueringarmy,toplunder,rape,andmurderpeoplewhohaddonethemnowrong,peoplewhohadcommittedthesinofnotbelievinginthewaysoftheOrder,peoplewhohadwishedtolivetheirownlivesfree.Six stalked up beside the commander. “I appreciate your valiant efforts to

apprehend this dangerous man. He is a condemned prisoner and myresponsibility.Hispunishmentistobedirectedbythequeenherself.”Thecommanderglancedoverather.“Hejustkilledanumberofmymen.He

ismyprisonernow.”Sixlookedreadytospitfire.“I’llnotallow—”Hundredsofarrowsallliftedasonetopointrightatthewoman.Shefrozestill

andsilent,appraisingthethreat.LikeRichard,sheobviouslyknewthathertalentwasnomatch for thismanymassedmenwithweapons that couldbe releasedwithatwitch.Itwouldtakeonlyonetwitchtoendherlife.“Thisman is my prisoner,” Six said to the commander in a quiet but firm

voice.“Iwasjusttakinghimtothequeenfor—”“He’s my prisoner now. Go back to the castle. The grounds belong to the

Ordernow.Thisisnolongerthequeen’s—oryour—dominion.Thismanisoursnow.”“ButI—”“You are dismissed. Or do you wish to break our agreement, and have us

slaughterthewholelotofyou?”Six’sblanchedblueeyessweptthehundredsofmenaimingarrowsather.“Of

courseouragreementstands,Commander.”She turnedher intenseeyeson theman.“Ihavehonoredit,asagreed,andsowillyou.”Hetippedhisheadinaslightbow.“Verywell.Now,leaveustoourduty.As

agreed, you, aswell as those in charge here,may go about your business, gowhereyouwish,andmymenwillnotaccostyou,them,orthecastlestaff.”WithonefinalmurderouslookatRichard,sheturnedandstalkedaway.Along

with thecommanderandallhismen,Richardwatched thewitchwomanglidethrough the opening in the wall and up the bloody path among the dead anddying,notgivingthemsomuchasasecondlookassheheadedfortheentrancetothecastle.Menpartedforher,lettingherthrough.ThecommanderturnedbacktoRichard.“Whatisyourname?”Richardknewthathecouldn’tgivehisrealname.Hecouldn’tevengivethe

namehegrewupwith,RichardCypher.Ifhedid,hewasliabletoberecognizedforwhohereallywas.Hismindracedashe tried to thinkofanothernamehecoulduse.ThenameZeddlikedtousewhenheneededtodisguisehisidentity

poppedintohishead.“I’mRubenRybnik.”“Well,Ruben, Iwill giveyoua choice.Wecould skinyou alive, stakeyou

out, slitopenyourbelly,and letyouwatchas thevulturespullyour intestinesoutandfightoverthem.”Richardknewhewouldn’thavetofacesuchafate,becauseallhewouldhave

todowasattackandthearcherswouldkillhim.Still,hedidn’twanttodie.Hecouldn’thelpKahlanifhewasdead.“Idon’tmuchlikethatchoice.Youhaveanother?”:Aslysmilespreadontheman’sface,befittingthereptilianhalfwiththescale

tattoos.“Yes,asamatteroffactIdo.Yousee,thedifferentdivisionsofthearmyhave Ja’La teams.Ours ismadeup of amix ofmymen and the very best ofthosewehavecomeacross—menblessedbytheCreatorwithexceptionaltalent.“Itwasquite impressive thewayyoumadeyourway throughall thosemen

andto theopening in thewall, likeyouweremakingyourwaytowardagoal.Youcontinuedon toward thatgoalwithoutallowingyourself tobestoppednomatterwhatthementhrewatyou…well,you’reanaturalpointman.”“Dangerousposition,beingthepointman.”The commander shrugged. “That is the gameof life.We are absent a point

manrightnow.Hediedinthelastgame.Ashewasevadingablockingmanhemissedacatchandthebrocstoveinhisribs.Theypuncturedhislungs.Itwasamessy,painfuldeath.”“Thatdoesn’tsoundlikeaverytemptingjob.”Thecommander’seyesgleamedwithmenace.“Ifyouwouldrather,youcan

take your chances without your skin, watching the vultures fight over yourbowels.”“WouldIgetthechancetoplaytheemperor’steam?”“The emperor’s team,” the commander repeated.He stared atRichard for a

moment,interestedthathewouldhaveaskedsuchaquestion.“Youreallyareacompetitive sort.” He finally nodded. “All sanctioned Ja’La teams dream ofhavingachancetofacetheemperor’steam.Ifyoushowyourworth,andhelpuswintournamentswithyourskillaspointman,then,yes,youmightverywellgetthechancetoplaytheemperor’steam.Ifyousurvivethatlong.”“ThenI’dliketojoin.”Thecommandersmiled.“Youarethinkingofbeingahero?Isthatit?AJa’La

playerwhoischeered?Aplayerofrenown?”“Perhaps.”Thecommanderleanedalittlecloser.“Ithinkyouaredreamingofthewomen

suchavictorywouldearnyou.Thelooksintheeyesofbeautifulfemales.Thesmilesofattractivewomen.”RichardthoughtofKahlan’sbeautifulgreeneyes,hersmile.“Yes,thatthoughthadcrossedmymind.”“Crossed your mind!” The man snorted a laugh. “Well, Ruben, banish the

thought.You are not a playerwhohas come to join.You are a captive, and adangerousoneatthat.Wehaveprovisionsforplayersofyourkind.Youwillbeputinacageandtakenbywagon.Youwillbeletouttoplay,ortopractice,butotherwiseyouwillbenomorethanacagedanimal.Duringpracticesessionsyouwillhavetoworkhardtolearntoworkwiththerestoftheteam,tolearntheirstrengths andweaknesses—after all, you are the pointman.But even so, youwillnotbeonemanalone.”Richarddidn’tseeanalternative.“Iunderstand.”Thecommandertookadeepbreathashehookedhisthumbsinhisweapons

belt. “Good. If you play well, if you do your best in every game, and if weshouldhappentobeattheemperor’steam,Iwillallowyoutohaveyourchoiceofthewomenwhowillbegathered,eagertoliewiththeplayers.”“Withthevictors,”Richardcorrected.The commander nodded. “With the victors.” He lifted a finger. “Make one

wrongstepinthemeantime,andyouwillbekilled.”“Bargainstruck,”Richardsaid.“Youhaveyournewpointman.”Thecommander lifted anarm, signalingotherofficers closer.Theycame to

attentionbeforethecommander.“Havethewagonbroughtup—theonewiththeironbox—forournewpoint

man,here.Ithinkyoualreadyknowhowdangerousheis.Handlehimassuch.Iwanttounleashhistalentagainstouropponents.”TheofficergaveRichardanappraisingglance.“Itwouldbenicetowinmore

thanonoccasion.”Thecommandernoddedashestartedreelingofforders.“Postguardsnearthe

castleandintown,enoughtoinsurethattherewillbenotroublefromthepeopleof Tamarang. Then have all the laborers start setting up the stations for oursupplytrains.You’llfirsthavetofindaplacebigenough.Lookjustoutsidethecity,neartheriver.“Summeriswaning.Winterwillbeherebeforeyouknowit,andthesupply

trainssooncomingupthroughherewillbelargeandoften.AllourtroopsintheNewWorldwillbeneedingsuppliestolastthemthecomingwinter.“The city of Tamarang will provide what our men will need for the

construction.Thereisaportontheriverwherethelumberistobebroughtin,so

youwillneedtomakeprovisionsforroadstothenewsite,andforthebarracksforallthemenwhowilleventuallybebilletedhere.”Oneoftheofficersnodded.“Wehavealltheplansready.”RichardcouldonlyassumethattheOrderintendedtousethecityofTamarang

forhelp inall theconstructionfor thedepot.Hehadseenthemdosuchthingsbefore.ItwaseasiertodealwithplacesthatwereeagertojoinintheOrderthantodestroyeverythingandthenjusthavetobuilditupagain.“I will be leaving at once with our troops and this supply train,” the

commandertoldtheofficers.“JagangwantsallthemenhecangetfortheassaultontheD’HaranEmpire.”TheleaderoftheD’HaranEmpirestoodquietlylisteningtotheplansforthe

final assault on the people of theNewWorld, for the slaughter of thosewhobelievedinfreedom,forthebattlethathehadmadesurewouldneverhappen.

Chapter50Rachelwokewhen she heardViolet padding around the bedroom.Through

thelittleslitinthedoorofherironbox,Rachelcouldseethetallwindowacrosstheroom.Eventhoughtheheavyroyalbluedrapesweredrawn,shecouldtellbythe color of the light coming in the narrowgapbetween them that itwas justdawn.QueenVioletdidnotordinarilygetupthisearly.Rachellistened,tryingtohearwhatVioletwasdoing.Sheheardalongyawn,

andthenthesoundsofthecavequeengettingdressed.Rachel’slegswerecrampedfrombeingintheboxallnight.Shewantedtoget

outandstretch.Thatwasnotadesireshedaredtovoice,though.Atleasttheyhadn’tputthetongueclamponherthenightbefore;sometimesVioletdidn’tfeellikebothering.AllofasuddentherewasaBANG,BANG,BANGthatmadeRacheljump,

madeherheartrace.ItwasVioletbeatingtheheelofhershoeonthetopoftheironbox.“Wakeup,”Violetsaid.“Bigday.Amessengerslippedanoteunderthedoor

inthenight.Sixreturned—afewhoursbeforedawn.”The queen whistled as she went about dressing. That in itself was a little

unusual,becausethequeenusuallycalledinherattendantstogetoutherclothesand dress her. Now she was dressing herself, and whistling while she did it.RachelhadrarelyheardVioletwhistle.ItwasprettyclearthatshewasinagoodmoodbecauseofSixreturning.Rachel’sheartsankatallthatmeant.What little light came into the sleeping box darkened as Violet’s eyes

appearedjustoutsidetheslitinthedoor.“ShehasRichardwithher.ThespellsIdrewallworked.Todayisgoingtobetheworstdayofhislife.Iwillseetothat.Today,hebeginstopayforhiscrimesagainstme.”Violet’sfacevanished.Thewhistlingstartedinagainasthequeencrossedthe

room,finishedgettingdressed,anddrewonstockingsandlacedboots.Inafewmomentsshereturnedandleanedcloseagain.“I’mgoingtoletyouwatchwhilethemenwhiphim.”Shecockedherhead.

“Whatdoyouhavetosay?”Inthebackcornerofherbox,Rachelswallowed.“Thankyou,QueenViolet.”Violetsnickeredasshestraightened.“Hewon’thaveaninchoffleshlefton

hisbackbythetimethesunsetstoday.”Shewentashortdistancetothedeskinthe corner and then returned.Rachel heard the key turn in the lock. The lock

madeametallicclangas itpoppedopen,bangingagainst the irondoor.Violetpulledthelockoffthehasp.“Andthat’sonlythebeginningofwhatIwillhavedonetohim.I’ll—”Therewas an urgent knock at the door.Amuffledvoice demanded that the

doorbeopened.ItwasSix’svoice.“Holdon,I’mcoming,”Violetshoutedacrosstheroom.RachelmovedalittleclosertotheslitandsawViolethurriedlyhookthelock

backthroughthehasp.Shepushedit tolockitagainjustasSixbangedonthedoor.“Allright,allright,”Violetsaidassheletgoofthelockandrushedacrossthe

room. She turned the latch on the big, heavy door and almost immediately itburstopen.Sixsweptintotheroom,alldarkandtoweringlikeathunderhead.“You have him, right?He’s here, locked upwhere I told you to put him?”

Violet asked, her voice filledwith trembling excitement as Six closed the bigdoor.“Wecanstartpunishinghimimmediately.Iwillhavetheguardsassemble—”“Thearmytookhim.”Rachelmovedcloser to the irondoorandcautiouslypeeredout theslit.Six

wasstandingjustinsidethedoor.Thequeen’sbackwastoRachel.Violetstoodin a white satin dress with a deep blue belt and laced boots over her whitestockings,staringupatthestarkfigureofthewitchwoman.“What?”“ImperialOrdertroopsappearedrightbeforedawn.They’refloodingintothe

cityasIspeak,intothegroundsofthecastle.Therearethousandsofthem—tensofthousandsofthem—maybehundredsofthousandsofthemforallIknow.”Violet lookedconfused,notwanting tobelievewhat shewashearingas she

searchedforwords.“But thatcan’tbe.Themessageyousentsaid thathewaslockedup,justasIinstructed,lockedupinthecellwherehehurtme.”“‘Was’istheoperativeword.WearrivedinthenightandIlockedhimupjust

asyouwished.ThenIsentyouthemessageandsawtoafewthings,waitingformorning.“Iwasbringinghimwithme,justnow.Iwasbringinghimtofaceyouwhen

we encountered the occupying soldiers. It’s one of those massive advancecolumnsofreinforcements.Theirpurposeisnotaslaughterandrampage; theywanttoestablishastagingareainTamarangforothersupplytrainscomingupfromtheOldWorld.Theywereopentomyoffersof—”“WhataboutRichard!”Sixheavedasigh.“Iwastoolate.TherewasnothingIcoulddo.Thetroops

were pouring in from every direction. Our men had no chance to stop them.Thosewho triedwere swept aside. I thought that itwas best to dealwith theOrder’smenmyself,totrytofindawaytosecuresafetyforyou,andyourstaff,whileIhadthechance.“WhileIwasspeakingto thecommander, insuringfavorable termsforus in

returnforhelpinwhattheywanttodowithestablishingsupplyroutes,allofasuddenRichardcameupwithasword.”Violetplantedherfistsonherhips.“Whatdoyoumean,he‘cameupwitha

sword’?”Hertemper,alongwithhervoice,wasrisingbythemoment.“Yousawtoitthathedoesn’thavehissword.”“No,itwasn’t theSwordofTruth.Itwasanothersword.Justaplainsword.

Hemusthavegrabbeditfromasoldierwhennoonewaslooking.Plainthoughitmayhavebeen,heknewhowtouseit.Allofasuddenawarbrokeout.Richardwas like death itself unleashed. He was killing Imperial Order troops by thedozens. It was madness. The men thought they were facing a major battle.Everyonewent into combatwithout evenknowingwhat theywereup against.Thingsjustwentcrazyinaninstant.“Ican’tcontrolpandemoniumonthatlevel.Thereweretoomanymen,there

wastoomuchviolence.Iwouldhaveneededsometimetogaincontrolandtherewasnotime.Richardmadeitoutthroughthewall—”“Heescaped!Afterallthis,heescaped!”“No.Outsidethewallwaitedhundredsofarchers.Theyhadhimtrapped.He

wascaptured.”Violetsighedinrelief.“Good.ForamomentIthought—”“No,notgood.Thecommanderwouldnotreleasehim.BecauseRichardhad

killedsomanyofhismen,thecommanderwantedRichardasaprisoner.Theyprobablyintendtoexecutehim.Idoubthewilllivetoseetomorrow.“Onceinthecastle,onthewayuphere,Ilookedoutawindowandsawthem

putRichardinanironboxinawagon.Theytookhimawaywiththecolumnoftroopsheadingnorth.”Violet blinked indignation. “You let him get away? You let those filthy

nobodiestakehim—takemyprize?”In the suddenquiet,Rachel sawSix’s glare darken.Shehadnever seen the

witch woman give the queen such a look before, and she thought that Violetwoulddowelltobealittlemoreprudent.“Ihadnochoice,”Sixsaidwithanicyinflectiontoherwords.“Therewere

hundredsofarcherspointingarrowsatme.Theyleftmenochoiceinthematter.It’snotlikeIwantedtogiveRichardovertothem.Alotofworkhasgoneinto

this.”“Youshouldhavestoppedit!Youhavepowers!”“Notenoughfor—”“Youboneheadedmoron!Youstupid, stupid,worthless,no-gooddim-witted

jackass!Itrustyouwithanimportanttaskandyoudon’tevenseeitthroughforme! I’ll have you whipped to within an inch of your life for this! You’re nobetterthantherestofmyworthless,no-goodadvisors!I’llhaveyouwhippedinRichard’splacetoteachyouyours!”Rachel flinchedat the resounding soundof the slap. ItknockedViolet from

herfeet.Shelandedonherbottomonthefloor.“Howdareyoutouchmeinthatway,”Violetsaid,comfortinghercheek.“I’ll

haveyoubeheadedforthis.Guards!Ineedyou!”Almostimmediatelytherewasaknockatthedoubledoors.Sixopenedoneof them.Twomenwithpikes lookedat thequeensittingon

thefloor,andthenupintotheblanchedblueeyesofthewomanholdingthedoorhandle.“If you dare to knock on this door again,” Six hissed, “Iwill eat your raw

liversformybreakfastandwashitdownwithyourblood.”ThetwomenturnedaswhiteasSix.“Sorrytobotheryou,Mistress,”onesaid.

“Yes,sorry,”theothersaidastheyturnedtailandranoffdownthehall.WithagrowlofrageSixgrabbedVioletbyherhairandliftedhertoherfeet.

Thewitchwomanunleashedablow that sentViolet tumblingacross the floor,leavingstringsofbloodacrossthecarpetsinherwake.“You ungrateful little brat. I’ve had about all I can stomach of you. I’ve

endureditlongenough.Fromnowon,youwillkeepthattonguestillorIwillripoutwhatIgaveyouback.”Herlong,bonyfingersseizedVioletbythehairandpulledherupagain,then

slammed the queen against the wall. Rachel could see Violet’s arms hanginglimp. Shemade nomove to defend herself as Six struck her time after time.Blood ran fromViolet’s nose, from her mouth, and was splattered across thewall.AbibofbloodstoodoutagainstthewhitesatinofViolet’sdress.Whenthetallwitchwomanreleasedthequeen,shedroppedintoaheaponthe

floorandfelltohelplesssobbing.“Shut up!” Six roared, her anger building. “Stand! Stand up this instant or

neverstandagain!”Violetstruggledtoherfeet,finallystandingbeforeSix,lookingupather,her

eyesfillednotonlywithtears,butterror.Violet lifted her chin. She visibly pushed her fear aside and grasped at

indignation, instead.“Howdareyoutouchyourqueeninsuchafashion.Iwill—”“Queen?”Sixsneered.“Youwereneveranythingmorethanapuppetqueen.

Now,youarenolongereventhat.Youarenolongerqueen.Asofthismoment,youresign.“Iamthequeen,now.Notlikeyou,apompouslittletwitwhothinksherself

importantbecauseoftheextravaganceofhertantrums,butarealqueen.Aqueenwithrealpower.QueenSix.Gotit?”WhenVioletstartedcryinginangryresentment,Sixslappedherhardenough

to tossherheadasideand throwyetmorebloodagainst the lacy,powderbluedesignsstenciledonthewall.Again,facedwithanangrywitchwoman,Violetdidn’trespond,eventowardtheassault.SixrestedherfistsonherknobbyhipsassheleaneddowntowardViolet.“I

askedifyougotit.”Violet,ontheedgeofraggedpanicathearingthedeadlythreatinSix’svoice,

nodded.“Sayit!”Sixslappedheragain.“Answeryourqueenproperly!”Violet’ssobsgrewlouder,asifthatalonewouldsaveherthrone.“SayitorI’llhaveyouboiledalive,choppedup,andfedtothehogs.”“Yes…QueenSix.”“Very good,” Six hissed with a venomous smile. She straightened. “Now,

whatgoodcanyoubetome?”Shelookedupattheceiling,touchingafingertoherchininroyalcontemplation.“ShouldIevenbothertokeepyoualive?Yes,Iknow—youwill be the court artist.A pettymember ofmy staff.Do your jobproperlyandyoulive.Failmeinanyway,andyouwillbeboiledandfedtothehogs.Gotit?”Violetnoddedattheglarethatfocusedonher.“Yes,QueenSix.”SixsmiledwithgrimprideathowquicklyshehadbroughtViolettotask.She

seizedtheformerqueen’scollarbehindherneck.“Now,wehaveurgentbusiness.Wecanstillsavethismess.”“Buthow?”Violetwhined.“WithoutRichard—”“I’veclippedhis fangs.Hisgift ismine fornowandhewill remaincutoff

fromit.Iwilldecidewhenthetimeisrighttodealwithhim.“As for the rest of it, there is another way, but it is, unfortunately, more

difficult.IonlyusedRichardinthefirstplacebecausecertainaspectsofitwerelesscomplicated.ItalsokeptyouquietandworkingwithoutcomplaintwhileIpulledyourstrings.Theotherwayisfarmorecomplexbecause,unlikeRichard,anumberofotherpeopleareinvolved,sowemustgetstartedatonce.”

“Whatotherway?”Six flashed an affected smile. “Youwill draw somemore pictures forme.”

Sheopened thedoorwithonehandandwith theotherdraggedVioletout intothehall.“Ineedyoutodrawawoman.Awomanwithanironcollararoundherneck.”“Whatwomanareyoutalkingabout?”Violetaskedinatremblingvoice.Rachel could justbarely see themout in thehallwayasSix reached for the

doorknob.“Youdon’trememberher.Itwillbehardertodobecauseofthat,butIcaninstructyouinhowtoaccomplishtheelementsthatIwillneed.Still,itwillbemoredifficultthananythingyou’vedonebefore.I’mafraidthatitwilltestnotonlyyourability,butyourstrengthandendurance.Ifyoudon’twanttoendupinthetroughashogslop,youwillputyourallintoit.Gotit?”“Yes,QueenSix,”Violetsaidinavoicechokedwithtears.As Six started to march away, dragging Violet along, she slammed the

bedroomdoorclosedbehindher.In the sudden silence, Rachel held her breath, wondering if they would

rememberherandreturn.Shewaited,butthenfinallyhadtoletthebreathout.Violet had replaced the lock, so she probably wouldn’t give Rachel a secondthought. Violet had a lot bigger problems, now, than worrying about lettingRachelout.Rachelfearedthatshewasgoingtodieinthecursedbox.Wouldanyoneever

letherout?WouldSixreturnandputRacheltodeath?Afterall,Rachelhadonlybeenkeptaround forViolet’samusement.Therewasno longerany reason forSixtokeepupthepretense.Sixwasincharge,now.Rachelknewmostofthepeoplewhoworkedinthecastle.Sheknewthatnone

of themwould dare to say awordwhen Six told them that shewas now thequeen.EveryonewasafraidofViolet,becauseshehadpeoplepunishedandputto death, but everyone wasmore afraid of Six because she was the one whoenforced Violet’s whims. Besides, when Six said things to people, they justseemedtolosetheirabilitytodoanythingbutwhatshe’dtoldthemtodo.ThosewhocrossedSix seemed tovanish. It occurred toRachel that thehogs lookedwellfed.RachelthoughtagainabouthowwhenSixwasslappingViolet,Violetdidn’t

evenmakeanattempt toprotectherselfwithherhands.Rachelknew thatSixwasawitchwoman.Witchwomenhadawayofmakingpeopleforgethowtofightagainstwhatwashappening.Theyjustdidasshesaid,nomatterhowmuchtheydidn’twantto.Likethetwoguards.Theysawthequeenonthefloorwitha

bloodynose,callingforhelp,buttheyquicklychosetodoasSixtoldthem,notViolet.

Chapter51Rachel sat in her iron box for awhile, thinking,worrying,wonderingwhat

wouldbecomeofher.Andthenshehadathought.Carefully,quietly,eventhoughtherewasnooneintheroomandthedoorwas

closed,shepressedherselftightupagainstthedoor.Sheputoneeyerightuptotheslit.First,shelookedaround,fearfulthatthewitchwomanmightsomehowbewatchingher.Thewitchwomansometimescametoherinthenight…inherdreams.IfSixhadmaterializedinthecenteroftheroom,Rachelwouldn’thavebeenatallshocked.Therewereplentyofwhispersamongthestaffofthestrangethingsthathadbeenhappeningatthecastlesincethewomanhadarrived.Buttheroomwasempty.Therewasnoonethere,notallfigureinblackrobes.Confidentthatshewasalone,Rachelpeeredoveratthelock.Shehadtostare

awhile,becauseshewasn’tsurethatwhatshewasseeingwasreal.Thelock,hanginginthehasp,wasn’tlocked.RachelrememberedVioletpushingatitasSixknockedonthedoor,butinher

hasteshemustnothavegottenitlocked.IfRachelcouldgetthelockoutofthehasp,shecouldopenthedoor.Shecouldgetout.SixhadtakenViolettothecave.VioletandSixweregone.Racheltriedtoreachthroughtheslittopullthelockoff,butitwastoofar.She

neededastick,orsomethingtoreachit.Shecastaboutinsidehersleepingbox,buttherewasnothing.Therewasnostickjustlyingaround.Therewereplentyofthingsoutsidetheboxthatshecouldhaveused,buttheywereoutsidethebox.Aslongasthatlockwashookedthroughtheloopofsteelstickingoutthrough

theslotinthehasp,therewasnowayRachelcouldpushopenthedoor.Thelockmightaswellhavebeenlocked.Shefloppedbackdownonherblanket,dejected,herhopegone.Shemissed

Chase.Foratimeherlifehadbeenadream.Shehadafamily,awonderfulfatherwhowatchedoverherandtaughthersomanythings.Rachelidlypulledontheloose end of the coarse thread that had been used to sew the edging on theblanket.Chasewouldbedisappointedtoseehergivingupsoeasily,toseehermoping,butwhatwasshetodo?Therewasnothingshehadinherboxthatshecouldusetogetthelockoff.Shehadonadress,andboots.Herbootswouldn’tfitthroughtheslit.Theonlyotherthingshehadwashersleepingblanket.Violethadtakeneverythingawayfromher.Shehadnothing.Asshepulled,moreoftheheavythreadunraveled.AsRachellookeddownat

thethreadloopedaroundtheendofherfinger,inspirationstruck.

She started pulling at the thread, pulling out the stitches, pullingmore of itfree.Shesoonhadtheentireendoftheblanketundoneandshehadalonglengthofthread.Shedoubleditoverandrolleditbetweenherpalmandleg,twistingitinto a heavier thread. It was long enough to make several layers, all rolledtogetherintoasturdystring.Shemadealoopintheendandthenwenttotheslit.Carefully,shecastout thestring, tryingtoget theloopoverthelocksothat

shecouldhookitandpull itup,outof thehasp.Itsoundedaloteasier thanitwas.Thestringwasn’theavyenough to throwwithanyaccuracy.Rachel triedseveraldifferentwaysofdoingit,butitalwaysfellshortor,ifitdidgetoverthetoploopofthelock,itjustslidoffovertheside.Itjustdidn’twanttogodownoverthefarsidetohookthelock’sshank.Thestringwastoolighttothrowwell,butat thesametimeitwastoostiff todrapeoverthelockthosetimeswhenitdidlandwhereshewantedit.Yetagain,shemanagedtogettheendofthestringtolandoverthelock.The

end,though,dangledoutatanangleratherthanlyingdownwhereshecouldslipitovertheopenshankofthelock.Shebroughtthestringbackinandwetitwithspit,thentriedagain.Thewet

stringwasalittleheavier.Shewasabletothrowitwithalittlemoreaccuracy.Her hand was getting sore and tired from trying because she had to twist itsidewaystocastthestring.Itseemedshehadbeenatitallmorning.Thestringkeptgettingdry.Rachelbroughtthestringbackinandwetitinhermouth,gettingitgoodand

soaked.Shewenttotheslitandcastit.Thefirsttimeitlandedoverthelock.Theloopofthestringwasjustbelowtheendofthelock’sshank.Rachelfroze.Thiswasascloseasshe’devergottenit.Itwasdifficulttohave

herhandoutoftheslitandthentobeabletoseethroughthelittlespacethatwasleftover.Shecouldsee,though,thatifshepulled,thestringwouldbepulledupandnothookovertheshankwheresheneededittohook.Thestring,aswetasitwas,wasadheringtothelongbarthatlatchedwhenit

was locked.Rachelhadan idea.Shecarefullybegantoroll thestringbetweenherfingerandthumb.Withthestringstuckwithherspittothemetal,itrolled,sticking,untiltheendfloppedover.Rachelblinkedasshestared.Itlookedliketheloopwasrightwheresheneededittobe.Shewasafraidtomove,afraidtomake a mistake, afraid to lose her chance, afraid to make the wrong movebecauseshehadn’tthoughtitthroughwellenough.Chase had always told her that she had to use her head—her judgment, he

calledit—andthenactonthatjudgment.By every measure she could judge, the loop was in the right place. If she

pulled,andthestringstayedstuckwithherspittotheshankofthelock,theloopwouldhookovertheendofthebar.Herheartpoundedinherchest.Sherealizedthatshewaspanting.Holdingherbreath,Rachelbeganeversocarefullytopullthestring.Theflat

endofthemetalcaughttheloop.Ifshepulledtoohard,itmightjustpopoff.Sheloweredherfingerstochangetheangleofthepull,tohelpitpulltheloop

overtheend,ratherthanslipoff.Theloopstretchedtightandthenslippedovertheendofthelock’sshank.She

couldhardlybelieveit.Carefully,steadily,shepulledthestringupward,slidingthe lockupout of thehasp.When itwas almost out of the loopofmetal, thenotchedendofthebaronthelockcaughtthehasp.Shetriedpullingjustalittleharder,butwith thewayitwascaught itonlymade the lock twistatanangle,rather than lift. Rachel feared to pull too hard. Shewas afraid that the stringwouldbreak.She had doubled the thread over several times, making the string several

layers thick. She figured that it was probably pretty strong. The question shecouldn’tanswerwashowstrongitwas,andifitwasstrongenoughifshepulledharder.Shereleasedsomeofthetensionandletthelocklower,thenjerkeditalittle,twitchingitrapidlyupanddown,tryingtojiggletheshaftofthemetalbarupthroughthehoop.Suddenly, the lock jumped up out of the hasp and fell. It dangled from the

string,swingingbackandforthbeneathRachel’shandstickingoutoftheslit.Shepushed,andthedoorsqueakedopen.Withthebacksofherhands,Rachel

wiped the tears of relief fromher cheeks. She had gotten herself free. If onlyChasecouldhaveseenwhatshehadaccomplished.NowshehadtoescapethecastlebeforeVioletorSixreturned.Racheldidn’t

knowifVioletwasawarethatshehadn’tlatchedthelock.Ifsheknewshehadn’tlockedit,andshementionedittoSix,theywouldbeback.Rachel immediately headed for the big door, but then she remembered

somethingimportant.Sheturnedandrantothedeskinthecorner.ShepulledtheangledliddownintothepositionVioletusedwhenshewrotenotesonwhowasto be punished or put to death. Rachel grabbed the gold knob on the bottom,centerdrawerandpulledthedrawerout.Shesetitaside,thenreachedherhandwayintothebackandfeltaround.Herfingerstouchedsomethingmetal.Shebrought itout. Itwas thekey.Violethadn’t taken itoutyet. Itwasstill

there,whereshekeptitforthenight.Relieved,Rachel slipped the key down into her boot and then replaced the

doorandshutthelidofthedesk.

Rememberinghersleepingbox,sheclosedthedoorandputthelockthroughthehasp.Shepushedthelock,makingsureitlatchedclosed.Shetuggedjusttomakesurethatitwassecure—somethingViolethadfailedtodo.IfanyonecameintheroomtheymightsuspectthatRachelwasstillsafelylockedinherbox.Ifshewas lucky,SixorVioletwouldn’teven lookandby thenRachelwouldbelonggone.Sherantothebigdoubledoorsandopenedonejustaslivertopeekout.She

didn’tseeanyoneinthehall.Sheslippedoutthedoor,closingitquietlybehindher.Checkingaroundagain,shemadeforthestairs,thenracedupasquietlyasshe

could. On the next floor, in a hallway of wood paneling without windows,Rachel headed for the room thatwould be locked.Therewere reflector lightsstilllit.Theywerekeptlitthroughoutthenightincasethequeeneverwantedtogotoherjewelroom.Asshehurrieddownthehall,shehoppedononefootasshereacheddownintoherboottoretrievethekey.Keyinhand,Rachel lookedoverhershoulderasshearrivedat thedoorshe

waslookingfor.Justthenshesawamaninthedistancecomingdownthehall.Hewasoneofthebutlers.Rachelknewhimbyhisface,butshedidn’tknowhisname.“MistressRachel?”hesaid,frowningashereachedher.Rachelnodded.“Yes,whatisit?”“Exactly.”Heglancedtothedoor.“Whatisit?”Chase had taught her to turn things around on people asking questions she

didn’twanttoanswer.Hehadalsotaughtherhowtoturnsuspicionsaroundtomakeitlookliketheotherpersonwasuptonogood.They’doftenmadeitintoagameatcamp.Sheknewthatshehadtodothatnow.Thistime,though,itwasnotagame.Itwasdeadlyserious.Sheputonherbestscowl.Chasehadtaughtherhowtodothat,too.He’dsaid

forhertojustimaginethataboywantedtokissher.“Whatdoesitlooklikeitis?”Themanarchedaneyebrowather.“Itlookslikeyou’reabouttogointothe

queen’sjewelroom.”“Doyouintendtorobmeofthequeen’sjewelsI’vebeensenttogetforher?

Isthatwhyyouwerelurkingaroundthecorner,waitingforsomeonetobesenttothequeen’sjewelroom?Soyoucanrobthem?”“Lurking—robyou—whyno,ofcoursenot.Imerelywanttoknow—”“Youwanttoknow?”Rachelputherhandsonherhips.“Youwanttoknow?

Areyouinchargeofthejewels?Whydon’tyougoaskQueenVioletwhatyou

wanttoknow?I’msureshewon’tmindabutlerquestioningher.Maybeshewillonlyhaveyouwhippedandnotbeheaded.“I’m on her business, getting something for her.Do I need to go get some

guardstoprotectmeandthequeen’sjewelsI’mtotakebacktoher?”“Guards?Whyofcoursenot—”“Thenwhatbusinesshaveyouwiththisbusiness?”Shelookedonewayand

thenanother,butsawnoone.“Guards!”sheyelled,butnottooloudly.“Guards!Athiefisafterthequeen’sjewels!”The man panicked, trying to get her to be quiet, but then abandoned the

attempt and rushed off without another word. He never even looked back.Rachel quickly unlocked the door, checked the hall again, and then slippedinside.Shedidn’t thinkanyonehadheardher,but shedidn’twant to takeanymoretimethannecessary.She didn’t give the shiny, polished wall of little wooden drawers a second

look. The dozens and dozens of little drawers were filled with necklaces,bracelets,brooches,tiaras,andrings.Sheimmediatelywentinsteadtothefancywhitemarble pedestal that stood by itself in the opposite corner of the jewelroom.Atop ithadonce stoodQueenMilena’s favoriteobject, the jeweledboxshefawnedoverateveryopportunity.Now in its place was a box that looked like it was made of the Keeper’s

blackest thoughts. It was so black that the room filled with precious jewelsseemedtrivialinthepresenceofsomethingsomonumentallysinister.RachelhadhatedtouchingQueenMilena’sjeweledboxofOrden.Shehated

thethoughtoftouchingthisevenmore.Shehadtodoit,though.She knew she had to hurry if shewas to have any chance of getting away.

TherewasnotellingifVioletwouldrememberthattheironsleepingboxinherroom hadn’t been locked. She might tell Six—or Six might just read herthoughts.Rachel suspected that Sixwas capable of doing such things. If theyknewRachelwasn’tlockedinthatbox,theywouldcomeback.Rachel tooktheblackboxdownoff thewhitemarblepedestalandstuffedit

into the leather bag thatwas sitting against thewall. Itwas the samebag thatSamuelhadusedtobringSixthebox.On theway to thedoor,Rachelpausedbefore the tall,wood-framedmirror.

She hated looking at herself in themirror, hated seeing her hair, theway thatViolethadchoppeditalloff.Whenshehadlivedatthecastlebefore,backwhenshehadbeenPrincessViolet’splaymate,Rachelhadn’tbeenallowedtoletherhairgrowbecauseshewasanobody.AssoonasViolethadRachelback,oneof

thefirstthingsshedidwastakeabigpairofshearsandchopoffRachel’slong,beautifulblondhair.Thiswasthefirsttimeshehadreallyhadachancetogetagoodlookatit,though,anup-closelook.Shewipedtearsfromhercheek.Chasehadtoldher,whenshefirstwentwithhim,thatifshewantedtobehis

daughter she would have to let her hair grow. Her hair had grown long andlustrousoverthelastcoupleofyears,andshefeltasifshereallyhadgrowntobehisdaughter.Shedidn’tlookthesameinthemirror,now,asshehadthelasttimeshehadstoodin this room, lookingatherself in themirrorwhenshehadbeenhelpingWizardGiller steal the jeweledboxofOrden.Her featuresweredifferentnow.Lesschildlike,less…cute.Nowshewasstartingtheganglyphase,asChasecalledit,beforeshewould

bloominto thebeautyofbeingawoman thathepromisedshewouldoneday.That day seemed an impossibly longwayoff.Besides,withoutChase, noonewouldbetheretoseehergrowup,orcare.Now Chase was dead and her hair was chopped off again. Violet had not

simply chopped it off, either, but had cut it in ragged cuts, bits and pieces,chunksandwads. Itmadeher look likeacurdog thatsleptbeside themiddenheap.Therewassomethingelse,though,thatRachelsawinthatmirror.Shesawthewomanshewouldbeoneday,thewomanChasepromisedshewouldbe.WhatwouldChase think ifhecould seehernow,withherhair all chopped

up?Rachelpushedherthoughtstothebackofhermindandswungtheleatherbag

held closed with a drawstring over her shoulder. She opened the door justenoughtolookdownthehall,thenopeneditalittlemoretolooktheotherway.Still all clear. She hurriedlywent out into the hall, and closed and locked thedoor.She remembered the halls and passageways of the castle as well as she

rememberedthecurveofChase’ssmilewhenshemadehimsmilewhenhetriednotto.Shealwayslikethatbestwhenhelaughedwhenhewastryingtoscowlather.She took the servants’ stairs so as to avoid the most guards. They stayed

mostlytothemainhallsandsuch.Peopleweregoingabouttheirdutieswithoutpause.Noneofthemyetknewthattherewasanewqueen.Shedidn’tknowwhatpeoplewould thinkofsucha thing.RachelknewthatpeoplehatedViolet,buttheywereterrifiedofSix.Washwomencarryingbundles turnedas theygossiped,watchingRachel run

past.Mencarryingsuppliesdidn’tpayheranyattention.Racheldidn’tmeetthe

eyesofanyofthemlesttheyaskhersomething.Shereachedthedooroutintoasidehallthathadawayoutofthecastle.She

wentaroundacornerandcameface-to-facewithtwoguards.Theyworetheredtunicsovertheirchainmailandcarriedpikeswithgleamingpoints.Swordshungfromtheirbelts.Rachelcouldclearlyseethattheyhadnointentionoflettingherpasswithout

findingoutwhatshewasdoingthereandwhereshewasgoing.“You must get away!” Rachel cried out at them. “Hurry!” She turned and

pointed behind her. “The Imperial Order troops are entering the castle—backthatway!”Oneofthemengrippedhispikewithbothhandsandrestedhisweightonit.

“Wehavenothingtofearfromthosemen.They’reourallies.”“Theyintendtobeheadallthequeen’sguards!Iheardthecommandergiving

themtheirorders!Beheadthemall,hesaid!Moreforus,hesaid.Thesoldiersalldrewtheirbigbattle-axes.Theyweretoldtheycouldkeepanythingonthementheybehead.Hurry!They’recoming!Saveyourselves!”Bothmen’smouthsfellopen.“Thatway!”Rachelshouted,pointingtowardtheservants’stairs.“Theywon’t

thinktolookthere.Hurry!I’llwarntheothers!”Themennoddedtheir thanksandheadedfor thedoor to theservants’stairs.

Whentheyhadvanished,Rachelstartedoutoncemore,quicklymakingthedooroutofthecastle.Shetooktothepathwaythattheservantsusedwhengoingtotown to get things they needed for the running of the castle. There were bigsoldiers,fearsome-lookingmen,whowerepatrollingeverywhere,buttheydidn’tseem to be bothering the servants, soRachel fell inwith some carpenters andwalkedalongbesidethetallwheeloftheirhandcart.Shehidherfacebehindtheloadofboards.Thesoldierspaidonlycasualinteresttotheservantsgoingabouttheirwork,

mostly watching the prettier women. Rachel kept her head down and keptwalking.Withherhairallchoppedoffshelookedlikeanobody,andnoneofthesoldiersstoppedher.Oncebeyondthebigstonewall,shekeptwalkingalongwiththeservantsuntil

they went through a patch of woods that was right up close to the path. Sheglancedbackoverhershoulderanddidn’tseeanysoldierslookingherway.Quickasacat,Rachelslippedintothetrees.Assoonasshewasinamongthe

thick balsams and pines, she started running. She took deer paths through thebramble, following any she could find thatwentwest or north.Once shewasrunning,paniccameoutofnowhereandtookcontrolofherlegs.Allshecould

thinkaboutwasgettingaway.Thiswasherchance.Shehadtorun.IftheImperialOrdersoldierscaughtherouthere,sheknewthatshewouldbe

introuble.Shewasn’tsurewhattheywoulddotoher,butshehadaprettygoodgeneralidea.Chasehadgivenherthoselessonsonedarknightbythecampfire.Hetoldhersomethingofwhatmenlikethatwoulddotoher.Hetoldhernot toletherselfgetcaughtbymenlikethat.Hetoldherthat if

shewasfacingsuchmen,andcapture,shehadtofightthemwitheverythingshehad.Chase said thathehadn’tmeant to scareher,buthoped tokeepher safe.Still,itmadehercryandsheonlyfeltbetterwhenheshelteredherunderhisbigarm.Sherealizedthatshehadnothingwithwhichtofight.Herkniveshadallbeen

takenaway.Shewishedshehadbeensmarterandbeforesheleftthecastlehadtakenaquick look inViolet’s roomtosee if shecould findanyofherknives.Shewassoeager togetaway that shenever thoughtof it.Sheshouldhaveatleastgonethroughthekitchenswhenshe’dbeendownintheserviceareasandgottenaknife.Shewassobusycongratulatingherselfoverapieceofstring,andthat she had gotten away, that she had never thought about getting aweapon.Chasewasprobablyangryenoughtocomebacktolifeandscoldherforbeingsothoughtless.Herfaceburnedwithshame.Shestoppedwhenshesawastoutbranchlyingontheground.Shepickedit

upandtesteditsstrength.Itseemedsound.Shewhackeditagainstafirtreeanditmadeasolidsound.Itwasalittleheavierthanshewouldhavewantedtocarry,butatleastshehadsomething.Sheslowedtoatrotandkeptmoving,tryingtoputasmuchdistancebetween

herandthecastleasshecould.Shedidn’tknowwhentheywoulddiscoverhermissing, and she didn’t know if Six could track as well as she could doeverything else.Rachelwondered if Sixmight be able to gaze into a bowl ofwaterandseewhereRachelwas.Thatmadeherrunfasteragain.By early afternoon she came across a trail. It looked like it headed roughly

north.SheknewthatAydindrilwassomewheretothenorth.Shedidn’tknowifshecouldfindsomethingthatfaraway,butshecouldn’tthinkofanywhereelsetogo.IfshecouldgetbacktotheKeep,backtoZedd,hewouldhelpher.Shewassodeepinthoughtthatshedidn’tevenseethemanuntilshealmost

ranintohim.ShelookedupandrealizedthatitwasanImperialOrdersoldier.“Well,well,whathavewehere?”As he started to reach down for her, Rachel swung the club with all her

strength, whacking him across the knee. The man cried out and fell to theground,clutchinghisknee,shoutingcursesather.

Rachel tore off running. She took to the deer paths again because shewassmalleranditwaseasierforhertonegotiatethemthanitwouldbeforbigmen.Itsoundedlikethereweresuddenlyadozenmenafterher,crashingthroughthebrush.Shecouldhearthemanshehadclubbedfarback,stillcursingupastorm,yellingathisfellowstogether.Assheburst intoaclearing,windedandnearlyoutofstrength,shesawthat

thereweremenblockingthepathahead.Theyallstartedforher.Rachel ducked to the side and ran. It seemed like there were soldiers all

around.Shewasinapanic,notknowinghowtogetawayfromthem.She heard oneman fall. She didn’t look back, but kept running. She heard

anotherfall,cryingoutbriefly,thengoingsilent.Shewonderedif,whenrunningatbreakneckspeed,theywerecatchingtheirfeetinholes,ortwistinganklesonlowvines.Anotherman letout agrunt.This timeRachel stoppedand turned just long

enoughforaquicklook.Ithadnotbeenafall,oratwistedankle.Ithadbeenasound released in death.Rachel’s eyeswerewide as she stared.Anothermanshriekedlikehewasbeingskinnedalive.Rachelwonderedwhat kind ofwoods shewas in, andwhatmonsterswere

looseinthem.She turnedand ran.Shehadnochance if themengother.Shedidn’tknow

whatelsewasabout,butshefirsthadtokeepfromgettingcaughtortheywereliabletoslitherthroatforgivingthemadifficulttime.Suddenly, three men charged out of the brush, roaring in rage. A little cry

squeakedoutasRachelranwithallherstrengthandfear.Themen,though,hadlongerlegsandwerecatchingher.Oneofthemstoppedsuddenly.Rachelglancedbackoverashoulderandsaw

themanarchinghisback,asifinpain.Shesaw,then,afootofsteeljuttingfromhischest.Theothertwoturnedtotheunexpectedattackfrombehind.Asthemanwhohadbeenrunthroughwithaswordstartedtofall,Rachel’s

jawfellopenatwhatshesawbehindhim.ItwasChase,bigaslife.Shecouldn’tmakesenseofit.The twomen charged him.Chase fought themwith swift, powerful strikes,

takingthembothdownasifdoingnomorethanbrushingasidepests,butatthesametimemoremenpouredoutof thewoodsaroundthem.Shesawat leastahalfdozenofthebigImperialOrdersoldierstoonesidealonechargingtheevenbiggerboundarywarden.RachelranbackasChasefoughtallthemenatonce.Whenhekilledamanto

hisside,amantotheothersideusedtheopeningtogoforhim.Rachelwhackedthebacksofhisknees.Hislegsfoldedunderhim.Chaseswungaroundandranthemanthough,thenmetthefiercechargeofyetmoremen,allofthemgruntingwiththeeffortoftryingtotakedownthisonebigman.Theygrittedtheirteethasthey growled and tried to grappleChase’s arms so othermen could stab him.Rachelwaledawayatthemwithallherstrength,buttonoavail.Whenoneof themenfelldead,Rachelsnatched theknife inasheathathis

beltandimmediatelystabbedthelegsofamangoingforChase’sback.Hecriedoutandturned.Chasetookhiminaninstant.Allofasuddenitwasquiet,exceptforRachelandChase’slaboredbreathing.

Allthemenlaydead.RachelstoodstaringupatChase.Shecouldn’tbelievewhatshewasseeing,

couldn’tbelievehereyes.Shefearedthathemightvanish,likeaphantom.Helookeddownather,andthatwonderfulgrinofhiscameoverhisface.“Chase,whatareyoudoinghere?”“Icametoseeifyouwereallright.”“Allright?Iwasheldcaptiveinthecastle.Ithoughtyouweredead.Ihadto

rescuemyself.Whattookyousolong?”Heshrugged.“Iwouldn’thavewantedtospoilyouraccomplishment.Isn’tit

betterthatyoudiditonyourown?”“Well,”shesaid,abitperplexed,“Icouldhaveusedsomehelp.”“Is that so?” He appeared unmoved by her complaint. “You look to have

managed.”“Butyoudon’tknow.Itwasterrible.Theylockedmeupintheboxagain,and

theylockedmytonguesothatIcouldn’ttalk.”Chaseeyedheraskance.“Idon’tsupposeyoubroughtthat tonguelockwith

you,didyou?Itsoundslikeausefuldevice.”Rachelgrinnedandhuggedhimaroundhiswaist.Whenshehadfirstmethim

shehad tohughis legbecause thatwasallshecouldreach.Shebasked in thecomfortofhisbighandonherback.Itfeltlikeeverythingintheworldwasrightagain.“Ithoughtyouweredead,”shesaidasshestartedtocry.He ruffled her chopped-off hair. “I wouldn’t do that to you, little one. I

promisedtotakecareofyou,andImeantit.”“IguessthatI’mstuckwithbeingyourdaughter.”“Guessso.Yourhairisugly,though.You’llhavetogrowitbackifyouwant

tostaywithme.Youcan’tkeepchopping itoff like that ifyouwant tobemydaughter.Itoldyouthatbefore.”

Rachelgrinnedthroughhertears.Chasewasalive.

Chapter52With Cara right on her heels, Nicci strode through the immense brass-clad

doors covered in elaborate, engraved symbols. A flickering flash of lightningcame in through the dozen round-topped windows between the toweringmahogany columns to illuminate row upon row of shelves all around thecavernousroom.Theyhadmanagedtopatchonlytheworstofthedamagetothetwo-story-tallwindows—enough,theyhoped,thattheroomcouldbeusedforitsintendedpurposeas a containment field.Someof theheavydarkgreenvelvetdraperieswithgoldfringeweregettingwetasrainblewintheremainingholesonsomeofthestrongergusts.Seeingwhatwasinthecenteroftheroom,floatingabovethelargetableNicci

hadoncefloatedaboveherself,shehopedthatabitoferrantrainwouldbeallthatcameinthroughthosemissingpartsofthewindows.Rushing to meet her, Zedd gripped her shoulders. Desperation was clearly

evidentinhiseyes.“Didyoufindhim?He’salive,isn’the?Isheallright?”Nicci took a breath. “Zedd, he survived the events in the sliph—I at least

foundoutthatmuch.”The sliph had also already told them that much. Rikka had been there,

guarding the well, when the sliph had unexpectedly returned. They were allsurprisedthatthesliphhadreturnedatall,muchlessreturnedtotellthemwhathadhappened.The silver creature had abruptly been eager to talk—up to a point—to tell

themwhathadhappened toRichard. Itwasn’tbecause thesliphwanted to tellwhereshehadbeenwithoneofhertravelers,butratherthatRichard,hermaster,hadtoldthesliphtotellthemthathewassafeandwherehehadgone.Shewaseagertodohisbidding.Unfortunately,thesliph’snaturewastobesecretive,andtheyweren’tableto

getstraightanswersfromheronmuchmoreof it.Zeddhadsaid that thesliphwasn’tbeingperverse;shesimplycouldn’thelpthewayothershadcreatedher.Shewasbeingtruetohernature.Hesaidthattheywouldjusthavetogoalongwiththesliph’swayofrevealinginformationanddotheirbesttolearnwhattheycouldfromher.Zedd had also detected on the sliph the trace residue power left by awitch

woman.TheywereprettysurethatithadtobeSix.Theyweren’tsurewhatSixwas up to, but at least they knew from the sliph that Richard had somehowescapedherclutches.“Butwhereishe?Didthesliphtakeyouthere?Takeyouwhereshesaidshe

lefthim?”“She did.” Nicci glanced at theMord-Sith and then laid a hand on Zedd’s

shoulder.“Afterwegottotheplacewherethesliphhadtakenhim,shethentolduswherehehadgone:tothelandofthenightwisps.Westillhadtotravelsomedistancetogetthere.”Zeddstaredinastonishment.“Thenightwisps?”“Yes.ButRichardwasn’tthere.”“Atleasthe’salive.Itsoundslikehewasactingonhisownvolition,andnot

that of awitchwoman,”Zedd said, sounding a little relieved. “What did theysay?Whatwerethewispsabletotellyou?”Nicci heaved a sigh. “Iwish you could travel so that you could have gone

there,Zedd.Maybetheywouldhavetoldyoumorethantheywouldtellus.Theywouldn’tevenallowustoenterbeyondthisstrange,deadforest.”“Deadforest?Whatdeadforest?”Nicci lifted her hands. “I don’t know, Zedd. I’m no expert in the outdoors.

Therewasthisvastareaofoaksbuttheywerealldead—”“Theoakwood isdead?”Zedd leanedcloser toher. “Areyou serious?The

oaksaredead?”.Niccishrugged.“Iguess.Theywereoaktrees.Richardtaughtmewhatanoak

was.Thesewerealldead,though.”Zedd glanced away as he scratched an eyebrow. “Were there bones among

theseoaks?”“Yes, that’s right,” Cara said, nodding. “There were bones scattered

everywhereamongthosedeadtrees.”“Bags,”Zeddcursedunderhisbreath.“Why?”Nicciasked.“Whatisit?”Zeddlookedup.“Buiyoutalkedtothewisps?”Niccinodded.“Tam,hesaidhisnamewas.”Zeddrubbedhischinashestaredoffinthought.“Tam…don’tknowhim.”“Therewasanother,namedJass,”Nicciadded.Zedd’smouth twisted as he considered the name. “I’m afraid I don’t know

thatone,either.”“JasssaidthatRichardwaslookingforawomanthatthewispsshouldknow.”“ThatwouldhavetobeKahlan,”Zeddsaidwithaknowingnod.“That’swhatwefigured,too,”Carasaid.“Butwhywouldhego to thewisps to look forher?”Hisquestion sounded

moreforhimselfthanforNicci,butsheanswereditanyway.

“Thesliphwouldn’t tellusaboutanyof thatpart,onlywhereshe tookhim.Apparently,Richardwasn’tspecificenoughaboutwhatheinstructedthesliphtotell us. She won’t go beyond her explicit instructions. Like you said, it’s hernature.“Thewispswouldn’ttelluswhyhehadbeenthere,either.Theysaidthathis

reasons for being there were his own and were not necessarily for others toknow.Theysaidthattheycouldn’trevealsuchthingsonhisbehalf.”“Not for others—but, but…”His voice ended in sputtering agitation. Zedd

looked back at both of them. “But didn’t they tell you anything about whatRichardwasdoingthere?Anythingatall?Wehavetoknowwhyhewouldgotothewisps.Hewasonhiswayhere,andthensomethinghappenedtocosthimhisgift while traveling—probably something involving Six—so he went to thewisps?Why?Whatdidtheytellhim?Whathappenedwhenhewasthere?”“I’msorry,Zedd,”Niccisaid.“Wereallyweren’tabletofindoutmuch.The

sliphdidtellussomeofit—whathappenedtoRichard,whereshetookhim,andthathewent to thewisps—but she eitherdoesn’t knowanythingmore,or shesimply doesn’t want to tell us the rest of it for some reason. Richard neverreturnedtothesliph,butbecausehecannolongertravelthatonlymakessense.Itcouldbethatthesliphreallydoesn’tknowanymore.“Richardwouldprobablyhavestartedouton foot. I imaginehewouldhead

back here, to theKeep.After all, that’swhere hewas goingwhen somethingwentwrong in the sliph. For some reason hewent to thewisps, but thatmayhavehadmoretodowithgeographythananythingelse—hewasmuchclosertothem than coming all theway back here, so hemay have decided tomake aquickstoptherebeforeheadingbacktous.Itmaybenothingmorethanthat.“Asfarasthewisps,theywouldn’ttellusmucheither.Theywouldn’tletus

go beyond the dead trees, into those huge, ancient trees beyond. But there issomegoodnewsinit.WeatleastknowforsurethatRichardisalive,andthathewent to the landof thewisps.That’swhatmatters—Richardisalive.KnowingRichard,hewilltrytofindahorseassoonaspossibleandwillprobablyshowupherebeforeweknowit.”Zeddsqueezedherarm.“You’re right,mydear.” Itwasagesture thatNicci

foundcomforting,almostas if itwereaconnection toRichardhimself. ItwasthekindofreassuranceRichardhimselfwouldhaveofferedatsuchatroublingmoment.Zedd suddenly frowned. “You said thewispswouldn’t let you into the big

pines?”Niccinodded.“That’sright.Theywouldn’tletusproceedanyfartherthanthe

deadoakwoods,orallowustoseetheotherwisps.”“In a way it makes sense.” Zedd ran a finger up along his temple as he

considered.“Thewispsaresecretivecreatures,anddon’tgenerallyallowanyoneintotheirland,butitseemsoddunderthecircumstances—andwithwordfromme—thattheywouldn’twelcomeyouin.”“They’redying.”Zedd’seyesturnedupather.“What?”“Tarnsaidthatthewispsweredyingoutandthatwaswhytheydidn’twantus

toenter.Hesaid that it’sa timeofgreat strifeamong thewisps,great sadnessandworry.Theydidn’twantstrangersamongthemrightnow.”“Dearspirits,”Zeddwhispered.“Richardwasright.”Nicci’sinsidestightenedwithanxiety.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?Richard

isrightaboutwhat?”“Theoaksdying.Theyprotectthelandofthewisps.Thewispsaredying,too.

It’spartofacascadeofevents.Richardalreadytolduswhy,inthisveryroom.AsifIneededyetmorereasontobelievehim.”“Yetmorereason?Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”He tookNicci’selbowand turnedher toward thespell-forms floatingabove

thetable.“Lookhere.”“Zedd,”Niccisaidinadmonition,“that’stheChainfireverificationweb—and

itlookssuspiciouslylikeaninteriorperspective.”“That’sright.”“IknowI’mright.Thequestionis,what’sgoingon?Whatareyouupto?”“Ifoundawaytoigniteakindofsimulationofaninteriorperspective—one

withoutyouneedingtobeinit.Itisn’tthesameineveryrespect,”hesaidwithadismissivegesture,“butforthepurposeIhadinminditwasgoodenough.”Nicciwas astonished that he had been able to do such a thing. Itwas also

somewhatdisquietingtoagainseetheverythingthathadalmosttakenherlife.Butthatwasn’tatallwhatshefoundmostdisturbing.“Whyaretheretwoofthem?”sheasked.“ThereisonlyoneChainfirespell.

Whyaretheretwospell-formshere?”Zeddflashedherawrysmile.“Ah, there is the trickof it.Yousee,Richard

claimedthatthechimeshadbeenpresentintheworldoflife.Ifthatweretrue,their presence would have contaminated the world of life, would havecontaminatedmagic.Andyetnoneofushasseenanyevidenceofit.Thatistheparadox of such contamination; it erodes your ability to detect its presence. IwantedtofindawaytoseeifRichardwasright—”“RichardRahlisright.”

Zeddshruggedonebonyshoulderatheremphaticdeclaration.“ButIneededtoseeifIcouldactuallyfindanyevidence.Ididn’tunderstandallthatemblembusinessRichardwas going on about. I believe in him too,Nicci, but I don’tunderstandhowhecansee language insymbols thewayhedoes,howhewasabletocometotheconclusionsthathedoes.IneedtoseeproofIunderstand.”Nicci foldedherarmsasshestaredat the twinspell-forms.“Iguess Iknow

howyoufeel. Ibelieve inhim,andhemakessense,but Isometimesfeel lost,likeIusedtoasanovicewhentherewouldbeatestonthingsthatweretaughtwhenIhadn’tbeeninclass.WhenRichard…”Niccifellsilent.Herarmscameunfolded.“Zedd,thosetwospell-formsaren’tthesame.”Hissmilegrewsly.“Iknowthat.”Nicci stepped closer to the table, closer to the two formsmade of glowing

lines.Sheinspectedthemmorecarefully.Shepointedatone.“ThatoneistheChainfirespell.Irecognizeit.Thisotherisidentical,butit’s

notthesame.It’samirrorimageoftherealspell.”“Iknow.”Helookedratherproudofhimself.“That’simpossible.”“Ithoughtsotoo,butthenIrememberedabooknamedTheBookofInversion

andDuplex—”Nicciroundedontheoldwizard.“YouknowwhereTheBookofInversionand

Duplexis?”Zeddgesturedvaguely.“Well,yes,Imanagedtolaymyhandsonacopy.”Niccieyedhimsuspiciously.“Layyourhandsonacopy?”Zeddclearedhisthroat.“Thepointis,”hesaid,takingherarmandturningher

backtotheglowinglinesandthesubjectathand,“Irememberedfromreadingthatbookmany,manyyearsagothatittalkedabouttechniquestoduplexspell-forms. Itnevermadeanysense tomeat the time.Whywouldanyonewant toduplexaspell-form?“Buttherewasmore.Thebookwentontogiveinstructionsonhowtoinvert

thespell-formthathadfirstbeenduplexed.CraziestthingI’deverheardof.Atthe time I dismissed the book and its obscure procedures.What could be thepurposeof sucha thing?Whowouldeverneed todo sucha thing?Noone, Ithought.”He held up a finger. “And then, when thinking about the possibility of

contaminationleftbythechimes,andtryingtothinkofawaytoproveRichard’stheory, I suddenly remembered reading that book once, and it hitme. I knewwhysomeonewouldwanttoduplicateandinvertaspell-form.”

Nicciwasgettinglost.“Allright,Igiveup.Why?”Zeddgesturedexcitedlytothetwospell-forms.“Thisiswhy.Look.Thisone

is the original,much like the one youwere in, butwithout some of themorecomplexandunstableelements.”Zeddwavedahand,stressingthatitwasbesidethe point. “We don’t need them for this purpose. This one, here, is the exactsamespell,duplicated,andtheninverted.It’sacopy.”“Iunderstandthatmuchofit,”Niccisaid,“butIstilldon’tseewhatpurposeit

couldservetoperformsuchastrangeanalysis.”Smiling knowingly, Zedd touched his fingers to the side of her shoulder.

“Flaws.”“Flaws?Whatabout—”Niccigaspedwithcomprehension.“Whenyouturna

spellinsideoutandbackward,theflawwon’tinvert!”“That’sright,”Zeddsaidwithan impish twinkleandan instructiveshakeof

his first linger. “The flaw won’t invert. It can’t. The spell-form is just ademonstrationof the spell, a surrogate for something real.Therefore it canbemanipulated—inverted. It’s not the real spell; you couldn’t invert a real spell.Butflawsarenotsubjecttotheinfluenceofthemagicinbooksofinstruction—onlythespecific,targetmagicis.Theflawisreal.Theflawresideswhole.”Zedd turned solemn with the deadly serious nature of the material issue.

“When the spell-form is activated, it carrieswith it the flaw,which is alreadyembedded.Whenyouduplicatethespell-formitcarriesthesameflaw,butthenwhen you invert it, the flaw can’t invert because it’s real, not a stand-in forsomething real like spell-formsare.Don’t forget, that contaminationwaswhatnearlykilledyou.”NiccilookedfromZedd’sintensehazeleyestothetwoglowingspell-forms.

Theyweremirrored.Shestartedsearching thestructure,seeingeachline,eachelement,lookingtotheotherspell-formthatwasthesame,butflipped.Andthenshesawit.“There,”Shebreathed,pointing.“Thatpartthereisidenticalinboth.It’snot

flipped.It’snotamirrorimagelikeeverythingelse.It’sthesameinbothofthesewhileeverythingelseisinverted.”“Exactly,” Zedd said in triumph. “Hence, the purpose of The Book of

Inversion and Duplex—to discover flaws that can’t otherwise be seen ordetected.”Niccistaredattheoldman,seeinghiminanewlight.ShehadknownofThe

Bookof InversionandDuplex, but, like everyone elsewhohad studied it, shehadneverunderstooditspurpose.Therehadbeendebateaboutit,ofcourse,butnoonecouldeverofferapurposeforsuchanesotericbookofmagic.Itdefied

theconventionalwisdomonthefunctioningandpurposeofmagic.Intheendithad been dismissed as amere curiosity from a time past. In fact, it had beenpresentedinlecturesasjustthat,anoddity,arelicofancienttimes,useless,butnonethelessanobjectofnotesimplybecauseithadsurvived.Zedd,likeRichard,neverdismissedanybitofknowledge.Likeallknowledge

collected,hekeptitcatalogedsomewhereinthebackofhismindincaseitevercame up again. When he had trouble finding an answer he would check hismemory of forgotten things residing in an index in some dusty corner of hismind.Richard did the same thing. Knowledge, once acquired, remained in his

arsenal. It enabled him to put things together in new ways, to come up withsurprisingsolutionsthatoftenchallengedold,establishedwaysofdoingthings.Manypeople foundsuchawayof thinking,especiallywhen ithad todowithmagic,treadingdangerouslyclosetoheresy.Nicci saw its true value. Real answers to problems came from just such a

processofthought,logic,andreason—allbasedonwhatwasknown.ItwastheessenceofaSeeker,thefoundationofwhathedidinhissearchfortruth.ItwasalsooneofthecentralqualitiesaboutRichardthatsocaptivatedNicci.Hewasastudent without formal training who was able to intuitively grasp the mostcomplexissuesinawaynooneelsecould.Zedd leaned in, pulling Nicci with him. “Look here. See this? Do you

recognizeit?”,“Thepartthatdidn’tinvert?”Niccishookherhead.“No.Whatisit?”“It’sthecontaminationleftbythechimes.This,Irecognize.Thisisthespider

inthewebofmagic.”Niccistraightened.“ThisprovesthatRichardwasright,then.”“Theboygotitright,”Zeddagreed.“Idon’treallyunderstandhow,buthehad

itexactlyright.Onceit’sisolatedlikethis,Irecognizethecorrosionleftbythechimes,thesameasIrecognizethereddishbrownscaleofrust.Hewasabletoseeit inthelanguageofthelines,andhewasright.Thespelliscontaminated;the source of that contamination was the chimes. This is the mechanism bywhichthechimeserodeanddestroymagic.Ifithasinfectedthisspell,ithastohaveinfectedotherthingsofmagicaswell.”“Isthatwhat’skillingthenightwisps?”Caraasked.“I’mafraid itwould seem thatway,”Zedd toldher. “Theoaks around their

homeplacearealsoinvestedwithprotectivemagic.Thatboththeoaksandthewispsaredyingouttogetherissuspiciousintheextreme.”Nicciwalkedtothewindows,watchingtheindistinctfitsoflightningthrough

theopaqueglass.“Creaturesofmagicaredyingout.JustasRichardtoldus.”Shemissedhim somuch thatmournful anguishpassed throughher like the

shadowofdeathitselfdarkeninghersoul.Shefeltlikeshewouldshrivelanddieiftheydidn’tfindhimsoon.Shefeltlikeshecouldnotsurviveifshenevergotthechancetoseehimagain,seethelifeinhisgrayeyes.“Zedd,doyouthinkhewasrightabouttherestofit?Doyouthinkthatthere

reallywar dragons, andwe’ve all forgotten that therewere such things in theworld?DoyouthinkRichardwasrightthattheworldweknewispassingoutofexistence,vanishingintotherealmoflegend?”Zeddsighed.“Idon’tknow,mydear,Ireallydon’t.I’dliketothinktheboyis

wrong in that much of it, but I learned a long time ago not to bet againstRichard.”Niccismiledtoherself.Shehadlearnedthesamething.

Chapter53“Nicci,”Zedd said,hesitatingashegesturedvaguely, seeming to search for

words,“youare…well,someonewhoholdsRichardinthesameregardasIdo,feels a similar passion and loyalty for him. In many ways you almost seemlike…”Hethrewhishandsupandletthemflopbackdownathissides.“Idon’tknow.”“Zedd, you, Cara,me—we all love Richard, if that’s what you’re trying to

say.”“Iguessthat’sthecoreofit.Idon’thaveanyrecollectionatallofKahlan,but

IimagineImustthinkofyouinmuchthesamewayIcanonlyimagineImusthavethoughtofher,asmorethanjusthisconfidantesharingthesamestruggle.”Niccifeltasifshehadjustbeenhitbylightning.Shedarednotallowherself

toevenbegintoconsidertheemotionalchargeinhiswords.Withthegreatestofdifficulty, she managed to keep her composure and merely twitch her brow,finallyasking,“Whatareyougettingat?”“LikeCara andRichard, I’ve come to think a great deal of you, especially

consideringwhatIthoughtofyouinthebeginning.I’vecometotrustyou,likeIsay,asIwouldtrustadaughter-in-law.”Nicci swallowed but didn’t meet his gaze. “Thank you, Zedd. Considering

whereIcamefrom,andwhatI thoughtofmyself inthebeginning, thatmeansmoretomethanyoucouldknow.Tohavepeopleactually,sincerely…”Sheclearedherthroatandfinallylookedupathim.Despitehowhiswordshit

her, she didn’t think that hemeant them to have anymeaning, butmerely toprefacesomethingimportant.“Youwanttotellmesomething?”He nodded. “I’ve learned some other things. Greatly disturbing things. I

would not tell anyone else such things, but, well, other than Richard himselfthere is no one Iwould trustmore than you andCara.You two have becomemorethanfriendsinallofthis.I’monlytryingtofindawaytoexpresstoyouhowmuch…”Whenhiswordstrailedawayandhestaredoffintothedistance,Niccigently

laidahandonhisshoulder.“We’llgethimback,Zedd,Ipromiseyouthat.Butyou’rerightinhowwefeelabouthim.Richardcompletelychangedmylife.Ifthere’ssomethingyouneedtotalkabout,IwouldliketothinkthatyoucantrustCara andme almost asmuch as youwould trust Richard. I think that’s whatyou’re getting at?We all feel the same about him, and about our cause. I…well”—shetappedherfingertipstogether—”youknowwhatImean.”Fearingshe’dalreadysaidtoomuch,Niccifeltherfaceturningred.“What I’m trying tosay,”Zedd finallysaid,“is that Ineedyourhelp,and I

wantyou toknowwhatyoubothmean tome—that Idonotnowreveal thesethingslightlyorcapriciously.AllmylifeI’vekeptsecretsbecausetheyhadtobekept.It’snottheeasiestthingtodo,butthat’sjustthewayitwas.Thingshavechanged,though,andIcannolongerkeepcertainknowledgetomyself.Thereissomuchmoreinvolvednowthanthereeverwasbefore.”Niccinoddedandturnedherfullattentiontothewizard.“Iunderstand.I’lldo

whatIcantobeworthyofyourtrust.”Zedd pursed his lips. “That book, The Book of Inversion and Duplex, was

hiddeninaplacenoonebutmeknowsexists.ItwasinthecatacombsbeneaththeKeep.”NiccisharedalookwithCara.“Zedd,”sheasked,“areyousayingthatthere

arebonesbeneaththeKeep?Andtherearebooksthereaswell?”Zeddnodded.“Alotofbooks.ThatwaswhereIfoundTheBookofInversion

andDuplex.”Hetookafewstepsawaytostareat thewindowsflickeringwith light from

thestormbeyond thecontainment field.“Noone that I’mawareofeverknewtheplaceoftheboneswasdownthere.IfounditwhenIwasaboy.Iknewthatnootherpersonhadbeeninthereforages.Notasinglefootprinthadmarredthedustonthefloors in thousandsofyears. Iwas thefirst tomakeamarkin thatdustofages.Ididnotneedtobetoldthesignificanceofthatfact.“As a boy it rather frightened me to find those ancient catacombs. I was

alreadyspookedbecauseIwastryingtofindawaytosneakbackintotheKeep.WhenIfoundthecatacombsIknewinstinctivelythatitwouldnotbehiddenasitwas unless therewas a good reason, so, asmuch as Iwanted to at times, Inevertoldanyoneaboutit.Ialmostfeltasiftheplacehadallowedmeentry,butin return required my silence. I not only took my attitude of responsibilityseriously,Ifeltgenuinelyprotectiveofsuchanundiscoveredplace.Itcontained,afterall,theremainsofagreatmanypeople—perhapsevenmyownancestors.Iknewthat therewerealways thosewhowouldexploit sucha findandIdidn’twantthattohappentoaplacesoclearlyheldinsacredregardbythosewhohadhiddenit.“Addedtothat,Ifeltratherguiltyforhavingdisturbedsuchaburialplacefor

thefeeblereasonoftryingtosneakbackintoavoidgettingintroubleforhavinggoneoutwithoutpermissioninthefirstplace.IhadslippedoutoftheKeeptogo to the market down in Aydindril to look at all the exciting baubles beinghawkedthere.ItseemedsomuchmorefascinatingthanthedrystudiestowhichIwassupposedtobedevotingmytime.“Aftermychancediscovery, Iquietlyaskedveiledquestionsand found that

not even the oldwizards I knew had any knowledge of the place beneath theKeep.Over time, I came to realize that such a placewas not even suspected,muchlessrumoredtoexist.“Asaboy,Ihada lotofstudies that tookupnearlyallmytime.Backthen,

thereweremanypeoplelivingintheKeep,andwithmyassignmentsIneverhadachancetospend—intotal—morethanacoupleofhoursdownthere.IquicklyfoundthatthereweremanyofthesamebooksthatwehadupintheKeep,so,asa boy, I came to believe that it wasn’t as important a find as I had at firstbelievedittobe.”He smiled distantly. “I fanciedmyself a great explorer, discovering ancient

treasures. This treasure wasmostly bones and books. There were endless drybooksuphereintheKeepthatIhadtostudy,soyetmorebookswasn’texactlyas exciting as thoughts of constructed spells encased in amber, or jewel-encrustedcurses.But therewasnoneof thatdownthere.Justcrumblingbonesandoldbooks.“There are rooms upon rooms down in the catacombs filledwith dusty old

books.Ineverhadmuchtimetoexplorethoserooms.Ican’tevenbegintoguessat thenumbersofbookshiddendown there. Ineverhad time todomore thanlookatasmallsampling.AsIsaid,manyI’dseenbeforeupintheKeepandoftheones Ihadn’t, at suchayoungage,noneof them impressedmeenough toremember,exceptafew,suchasTheBookofInversionandDuplex.“WhenIgrewupIfellinlovewiththemostwonderfulwomanandsoonshe

wasmywife.Shegavebirthtotheotherlightinmylife,adaughter—whogrewup tobeRichard’smother.Asayoungwizardworkingat theKeep, therewasalwaysmoretodothantherewerehoursintheday.Therewasnotimetospenddownamongoldbones.“Andthentheworldwascast intoa terriblewarwithD’Hara.Itwasadark

timeofterriblestruggle.IhadbecomeFirstWizard.Thebattlesweregruesomeasbattles always are. I had to sendmen todie. I had to look into the eyesofwizards,youngandold,thatIknewwerenotuptothechallenges,andtellthemto do their best when I knew their best would not be good enough, and theywouldlikelydieintheeffort.IknewinmyheartthatifIweretodoitmyselfitwouldgetdoneandIcouldmakeitwork,buttherewerealotofthosekindsoftasksthatneededtobedone,andonlyoneofme.“Attimes,Ifoundresponsibility,knowledge,andabilitywereacurse.Tolook

at all the innocent people counting onme as FirstWizard, and know that if Ifailedtheywoulddie,wasalmostmorethanIcouldendure.“Inthatrespect,IknowexactlywhatRichardisgoingthrough.Ihavebeenin

hisplace.Ihavecarriedtheworldonmyshoulders.”He gestured to dismiss his melancholy departure from the subject at hand.

“Anyway,withallmyotherresponsibilities,thecatacombslaymostlyforgotten,as they had for thousands of years before I ever came along. I simply had notimetolookintowhatmightbedownthere.FrommylimitedsearchasaboyIbelieved that there was nothing to be found but old and comparativelyunimportant books buried alongwith forgotten bones. There seemed to be somanymorepressingmattersoflifeanddeath.“Tome,themostimportantthingaboutthecatacombswasthattheyprovided

asecretpassageforme toenter theKeep.Thatpassagecame tobe invaluablewhentheSistersoftheDarktooktheWizard’sKeep.“Back when I was younger, after the war in which my wife had died, the

councilandIhadabitterdisputeovertheboxesofOrden.Andthen…DarkenRahl rapedmy daughter. So I left theMidlands—quit it for good—takingmydaughterwithmethroughtheboundarytoWestland.ShewasallIhadleftandall that mattered to me. I thought I would live out all my days beyond theboundaryinWestland.“ThenRichardwasborn.Iwatchedhimgrow.Mydaughterwassoproudof

him.Isecretlyworriedthathehadthegift,andfrettedthatforcesfrombeyondtheboundarieswouldonedaycomeforhim.Andthen,therewasafireandallofasuddenmydaughter,Richard’smother,wasgonefrommylife,fromRichard’slife.“IturnedtoRichardforsolace.IgavehimeverythingIcouldthatwouldhelp

himbeallhecouldbe.Ihadsomeofthebesttimesofmylifewithhim.,“Unbeknownst tomeas Ididmybest to forget theoutsideworld,Annand

Nathan, driven by prophecy, had helped George Cypher recover The Book ofCounted Shadows from the Wizard’s Keep. It had been stored in the FirstWizard’sprivateenclave,whereIhadleftitforsafekeeping.”“Waitaminute,”Niccisaid,stoppinghisstory.“YoumeantotellmethatThe

BookofCountedShadows,oneofthemostimportantbooksin;existence,wasjustlyingaroundintheKeep?”“Well,” he said, “not exactly ‘lying around.’ Like I said, itwas in the First

Wizard’senclave.That’smoresecurethantheKeepingeneralandnotexactlyaneasyplacetobreach.”“If it’s sosecure,”Nicci remindedhim,“thenhowdidAnnandNathanand

GeorgeCyphergetintotakethebook?”Zeddsighedashelookedupatherfromunderhisbushyeyebrows.“Therein

lieswhathascometotroubleme—theonlycopyofabookthatimportantbeing

thatvulnerable—”“That’swhatRichardwasgoingtotellyou,”Niccisaidwithasuddenflashof

comprehension.“That’swhyhewasinsuchahurrytogetbackihere—hesaidhehadtogettoyourightaway.Thatwasthereason!”Zeddfrowned.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Shesteppedclosertothewizardandpulledthesmallbookfromherpocket.

“ThisisthebookthatDarkenRahlusedtoputtheboxesofOrdeninplay—”“It’swhat!”“This is thebookthatDarkenRahlusedtoput theboxesofOrdeninplay,”

she repeated to the astonished wizard. “We found it at the People’s Palace. IpromisedRichardthatIwouldstudyitandseeiftherewasawaytoundowhatSisterUliciahaddone,seeiftherewasawaytoperhapstaketheboxesofOrdenbackoutofplay.ItriedtoexplaintoRichardthatmagicdoesn’tworkthatway,but you know Richard, he doesn’t so easily accept that something can’t bedone.”Zeddstaredatthebookshewasholdingupasifitwereaviperthatmightbite

someone.“Thatboyhasawayofturningoverrocksandfindingtrouble.”“Zedd, this warns that to use this book, the key must be used. Otherwise,

withoutthekey,everythingthathascomebefore,meaningwhathasbeenusedfromthisbook,willnotonlybesterile,butfatal.Itsaysthatwithinonefullyearthekeymustbeusedtocompletewhathasbeenwroughtwiththisbook.”“The key,”Zeddwhispered, as if itwere the end of theworld. “The boxes

mustbeopenedwithinoneyearofbeingput intoplay.YouneedTheBookofCountedShadowstoopentheboxes.Thatbookhastobethekey.”“Ithinkso,too,”Niccisaid.“Thethingis,wefoundinformationfrombackat

thetimeofthegreatwarsayingthatsomewizardshadmadefivecopiesof‘thebookthatwasnevertobecopied.’““Andyouthinkthat‘thebookthatwasnevertobecopied’wasTheBookof

CountedShadows!”“Yes.Thereisabookofprophecythatsays‘Theywilltrembleinfearatwhat

theyhavedoneandcasttheshadowofthekeyamongthebones.’“Zeddwas staring at her as if hisworldwere crumbling apart. “Dear spirits.

Thatsoundslikeit’sfromYanklee’sYarns.”“That’s right. The thing is,” Nicci said, “all the copies but one were false

copies.Fivecopies—fourfalse,onetruecopy.”Zedd pressed a hand to his forehead. Nicci noticed that his breathing was

fasterthannormal.Helookedonthevergeofpassingout.“Zedd,whatisit?”

His fingers were trembling. “You know what you said about The Book ofCountedShadowsbeingtooeasytosteal?Thatwasalwaysmythoughttoo,butnotsomethingIconsciouslydwelledon.Itwasmoreoneofthosethoughtsinthebackofyourmindthatneverfullysurfaces.”“Yes,”Niccisaid,waitingpatientlyuntilhewenton.“Well, when I remembered The Book of Inversion and Duplex, I finally

rememberedwhereIhadseenitasaboy:thecatacombs.Ineededittotestthisspell,sowhileyouweregonewithRichardtothePeople’sPalaceIwentbackintothecatacombsandlookedforTheBookofInversionandDuplex.”Nicciknewwhathewasgoingtosaybeforehesaidit.“AndwhileIwassearchingforTheBookofInversionandDuplex,Ifounda

copyofTheBookofCountedShadows.”“‘Theywilltrembleinfearatwhattheyhavedoneandcasttheshadowofthe

keyamongthebones,’“Nicciquotedagain.Zeddnodded.“Allmylife,Ineverknewtherewasacopyofthatbook.Ihad

beentaughtthattherewerenoothercopies.Ihadbeentaughtthattherewasonlyone copy. That alone told me how important that book was. But if it’s soimportant,thenwhywasitnotinasaferplace?Thatquestionwaswhatalwaysstuckinthebackofmymind.“Thatwasoneof thereasonsIwassoangrywith thecouncil forgiving the

boxesofOrdenawayasgiftsorfavors.Iknewhowdangerousthoseboxeswere,butnoonewouldbelieveme.TheyallthoughtthatthethingsItoldthemwereonlyancientsuperstitions,orchildren’stales.“Partofthereasonthatnoonebelievedthetruthofthedangerthattheboxes

representedwasthatthebookthatwasneededtoputtheboxesinplayhadneverbeenfound.Withoutthebook,theboxeswereonlyafancifultale.”Hepointedat thebook inNicci’shand.“In fact,nooneeverevenknew thenameof thatbook.ThetitlelookstobeinHighD’Haran.We’llneedsomeonetotranslateit.”“IcanreadHighD’Haran,”Niccisaid.“Of course you can,”Zedd said as if nothing could surprise him anymore.

“Whatisitsname,then?”“TheBookofLife.”Zedd turned nearly as white as his wavy hair. Apparently, he was not yet

beyondshock.“TheBookofLife,”herepeatedashewipedahandwearilyacrosshisface.“Whatanappropriatename,”hesaid.“ThepowerofOrdenisspawnedfrom

lifeitself.Openthecorrectbox,andonegainsthepowerofOrden—theessenceof life itself, power over all things living and dead. They would have

unchallengedpower.Open thewrongbox,and themagicwouldclaim them—they’redead.Butopentheotherwrongbox,andeverylivingthinginexistenceisincineratedintonothingness.Itwouldbetheendofalllife.“ThemagicofOrden is twin to themagicof life itself, anddeath ispartof

everything that lives, so themagicofOrden is tied todeathaswell as to life.Andthekeyisthemeanstoknowwhichboxiswhich.Thepersonopeningthemcantakeachance,buttheywouldbefoolishtodosowithoutusingthekeyfirst,tobesureofwhichiswhich.”“Foolish,”Niccisaid,“likeSistersof theDarkwhodon’tnecessarilycare if

theyopenthewrongbox?”Zeddcouldonlystareather.“So, you were saying that you found one of the copies,” Cara finally said

whenZeddhadfallensilentforatime,lostinthought.Nicciwas relieved thatCarawas theone toprompthimwhenhe lookedso

strickenbycontemplationofeventssoterriblesheprobablycouldn’tevenbegintoimaginethem.“I’m afraid that’s not even the worst of it,” he said. “You see, Richard

memorizedTheBookofCountedShadowsasaboy.GeorgeCypherfearedthatthebookwouldfallintothewronghands,buthewaswiseenoughthathedidn’tdaredestroytheknowledgethebookcontained,sohehadRichardmemorizeit.AfterRichardhadlearnedeveryword,heandGeorgeCypher,themanwhohadraisedhimandwhoatthetimeRichardbelievedwashisfather,burnedTheBookofCountedShadows.“WhenDarkenRahlcapturedRichard,andwasopening theboxes,hemade

Richard readout the instructions fromTheBookofCountedShadows. I don’trecallhow—probablyasaresultoftheChainfirespell.“Thepoint is, Iwas there. I remember thatpartquitewellbecause Iwasso

shocked—fortworeasons.First,tolearnthatthebookhadbeenstolenfrommyenclave at theKeep forRichard tomemorize and, secondly, because itwas abookofmagicandthatfactmeantthatRichardcouldonlymemorizeandspeakthewordsbecausehewasgifted.“When I found the copy of The Book of Counted Shadows down in the

catacombs,Iwasshakentomycore.IreaditandsureenoughitwaswordforwordexactlywhatRichardhadmemorized.”Niccicockedherhead.“Itwasthesame?Areyousure?”“Positive,”Zeddsaid,emphatically.“Thetwowereidentical.”Nicci was beginning to feel sick herself. “That can mean only one of two

things.Eitheronewastheoriginal,andtheothertheonetruecopyofthatkey…

orelsetheywerebothfalsekeys,falsecopies.”“No,theycouldn’tbefalse,”Zeddinsisted.“WhenRichardreadthebookout,

heleftoutanimportantelementattheveryend.ItwasbyleavingoutthatonepieceofthebookthathedefeatedDarkenRahl.He,inessence,turneditintoafalse copy, thus trickingDarken Rahl to defeat him. As I often told Richard,sometimesatrickisthebestmagic.”Nicci laidthebookonthetable.“Thatdoesn’tnecessarilymeanit’s thetrue

keyandnotthefalse.Lookatthis.”ShelaidTheBookofLifeopenandtappedapage in theverybeginning thathadonlyone thingallby itselfon thepage toemphasizehowimportant—howcentral—itwas.“ThisistheintroductorystatementtoTheBookofLife.Ialreadytranslatedit.

It’sawarningtoanyonewhowouldreadthisbook.“It says, ‘Thosewho have come here to hate should leave now, for in their

hatredtheyonlybetraythemselves.’“Zeddsquintedat thewords inHighD’Haranallby themselveson thepage.

“So you are saying, what… that becauseDarkenRahl turned to the boxes ofOrdenoutofhate,hewouldhavebeendestroyedby the trueBookofCountedShadowsjustthesameasbyafalseone?”“That’sonepossibility,”Niccisaid.Zedd shook his head. “I don’t believe that. Somemagic works by reading

intent. The Sword of Truth works that way. People who hate don’t usuallyrecognizethatviletaintwithinthemselves.Theyspewtheirhatredasrighteous.Thatcorruptioniswhatmakesthemsoevil—andsodangerous.Theyareabletodo the most despicable things and think themselves heroes for having donethem.”“Thenyouaregoingtotellmethatyoubelievethatitwascoincidence,luck,

that both those books just happen to be the only true keys? And they justhappened to be that close together?You think that thewizardswhomade thecopies,sendingthemtodistant,hiddenplaces,wouldhaveputtheonetruecopyright here, right near the only other true key?What would be the purpose ofscatteringthecopies?”Zeddrubbedhischinwithhisfingertipsashethoughtitover.“Iseewhatyou

mean.”“Withbookslikethis,therehastobeawaytoconfirmthecopies—tovalidate

them.”“Thereis,”Zeddtoldher.“InthebeginningofTheBookofCountedShadows,

itsays,‘VerificationofthetruthofthewordsofTheBookofCountedShadows,ifspokenbyanother, rather thanreadby theonewhocommands theboxes, can

onlybeinsuredbytheuseofaConfessor.“A copy constitutes ‘spoken by another,’“ he said. “The personmaking the

copy is, in essence, speaking it; the reader isnot actually reading theoriginal.Unless it’s theoriginalkey, and thatoriginalkey is actuallybeing readby theone who put the boxes in play, this forewarning invokes the necessity ofverification.”“Kahlan,”Niccisaid.Theothertwolookedather,andbythelooksontheirfaces,theyunderstood

hermeaning.“Zedd,”Niccifinallyaskedintothesilence,“NoneofusremembersKahlan.

If we could find her, and if we could somehow fix this Chainfire spell, orsomething…isthereawaytomakeherrememberwhatsherightnowwouldnotrecall?”Zedd’sgazewanderedtotheglowingspell-formsabovethetable.“No.”Niccihadn’texpectedsuchcertainty.“Areyousure?”“About as sure as I can be. The spell destroysmemory. It doesn’t cover it

over, or block it from access, it destroys it. It doesn’t make people forget, itactuallyerasesthememory.Tothepersonuponwhomsuchaterriblethingwasunleashed,theirmemoryisgone.”“But theremust be someway,”Cara insisted, “somemagic this-or-that that

willrestorehermind.”“Restoreitwithwhat?Whatnoneofuscanrecall?Memoryisthestuffoflife.

Magicfunctionsinspecificways,asdoallthingsthatexist.Magicisnotsomesuper-intelligent consciousness behind a veil that knows what we want toaccomplish and canpull a person’s entirememory—their entire life—out of apocketandhanditbackjustbecausewewishit.”Caradidn’tlookconvinced.“Butcan’t—”“Lookatitthisway.IfIpushthatbookoffthetable,itwillfalltothefloor.

The invisible forceofgravitymakes it happen.Gravity functions in a specificway. I can’twavemyarmsandbymywishcommandgravity togomakemedinner.“Samewithmagicandmemory.TheChainfirespelldestroyedhermemory.It

can’tbebroughtback.Youcan’t restorewhatwasand isno longer there.Youjustcan’t.What’sgoneisgone.”Caradrewherhanddownherlongblondbraid.“Thenitsoundslikewe’rein

alotoftrouble.”“Troubleindeed,”thewizardconceded.NicciwantedtosaythatRichard’sheartwasinalotoftrouble,butshedared

notsaysucha thingout loud.She feltdespondent forhim, forwhathewouldonedayhavetoface.Butshedidn’twanttobetheonetopointitout.“Then,ifRichardfindsher,”Nicciaskedinaweakvoice,“whatishetodo?”Zedd,handsclaspedbehindhisback,staredatheramomentbefore looking

away.“There’sanotherwaytoconfirmthetruecopy,”Carasaid.ZeddandNiccibothfrownedather,bothrelievedtohaveadiversion.“You just find the other copies,” she said, “and compare them. The one

Richardmemorized isgone.So, ifyou find theothersyoucancompare them.Theonethat’sdifferenthastobetheonetruecopy.Theotherfourthatareallthesamehavetobethefalsekeys.”Zeddarchedaneyebrow.“Andwhat if thepeoplewhomade the falsekeys

wereworried thatonedayacleverMord-Sithwould thinkof thatandso theymade all the copies different from one another, so that they couldn’t becompared?”Caramadeaface.“Oh.”Nicci threwupher arms. “Howwouldhe evengo about finding theothers,

anyway?Imean,they’vebeenhiddenforthreethousandyears.”“Not only that,” Zedd said, “but Nathan told us that there were catacombs

underthePalaceoftheProphets,andthatplacewasdestroyed.Iknow,Isetthelightspellmyself.Therewouldbenothingleft,andevenifsomehowapocketofthecatacombssurvived,thepalacewasbuiltonanisland.Aftertheislandwasdestroyedwaterwouldhavefloodedanyundergroundroomthathadn’talreadybeenruined.“Thatonecopy,ifoneofthemwasthere,hasalreadybeendestroyed.Wasita

trueorafalsekey?Whatif,overallthistime,othershavebeendestroyed?Thequestionremains,howtotelliftheoneRichardknows,andtheoneIfound,aretheonlytwotruekeys.”Nicci stared off. “I’m afraid they might be false copies—the one Richard

memorized,andtheoneyoufounddowninthecatacombs.”Zeddbeganpacing.“Idon’tknowanywaytobesure.”“Theremight be twoways,” she said. “The first, I can’t swear to, yet. I’ve

onlyjuststartedtranslatingTheBookofLife.Butthereismaterialhavingtodowiththementionofusingthekey.Itsaysthatifthepersonwhoputtheboxesinplayfailstousethekeyproperly,theboxeswillbedestroyedalongwiththeonewhoputtheminplay.”“Usethekeyproperly…”Zeddsaid,deepinthought.“ThatseemstometosaythatifDarkenRahlwouldhavefailedtousethetrue

keyproperly,suchasbyleavingoffthelastpart—asyousaidRicharddidwhenrecitingitbacktohim—hewouldhavebeendestroyed,butsowouldtheboxesofOrden.Asweknow, theboxesofOrdenweren’tdestroyed,so that tellsmeRichardmay very well have read him the false key and Darken Rahl simplyopenedthewrongboxanditdestroyedhim.“Itdoesn’tsaythattheboxeswillbedestroyedifafalsekeyisusedbecause

atthetimethiswaswrittentherewerenofalsekeysyet,sothatproblemhadn’tbeentakenintoconsiderationwhenthismaterialwasallcreated.”Zeddfrownedinthought.“Areyousureofthis?”“No,”Nicciadmitted.“It’scomplexandI’veonlyjuststartedtotranslateit.I

scannedthatpartbecauseitpertainedtousingthekeytocompletetherequiredsteps. It alsohas formulas thathave tobe taken into account. I’monlygivingyoumypreliminaryimpression.”Nicci ranherfingersback intoherhairwithonehand.Shestoodbefore the

tablewiththeopenbookonit,withherotherhandonahip.“Do you see what I mean, though?” She gestured down at the book. “If

Richard had corrupted the true key,makingDarkenRahl pick thewrongbox,this seems to indicate that the boxes would have been destroyed along withDarken Rahl. That seems to support the idea that Richardmemorized a falsekey.”“Maybe.Yousaidyouweren’tsureofthat,yet.”Zeddrubbedthebackofhis

neckashepaced.“Let’snotmaketheerrorofjumpingtoconclusions.”Niccinodded.“Yousaytherewassomethingelseyouweregoingon?”Zeddasked.Niccinoddedandthenquotedthecentralprophecy, theoneNathanhadtold

them.“‘Intheyearofthecicadas,whenthechampionofsacrificeandsuffering,under thebannerofbothmankindand theLight, finallysplitshisswarm, thusshall be the sign that prophecy has been awakened and the final and decidingbattleisuponus.Becautioned,foralltrueforksandtheirderivativesaretangledinthismanticroot.Onlyonetrunkbranchesfromthisconjoinedprimalorigin.Iffuer grissa ost drauka does not lead this final battle, then the world, alreadystandingatthebrinkofdarkness,willfallunderthatterribleshadow.’“Doyousee?”Nicciasked.“The‘championofsacrificeandsufferingunder

thebannerofbothmankindandtheLight’isJagangandtheImperialOrder.Thenextwordssaythatwhenhe‘finallysplitshisswarm,thusshallbethesignthatprophecyhasbeenawakenedand the final anddecidingbattle isuponus.’Hehas split his army. Half is holding the passes, while the other half has gonearound to come up throughD’Hara from the south.As it says, ‘the final and

decidingbattleisuponus.’“As if to confirmwhat she had said, a fit of lightning flickered through the

windows,accompaniedbythunderrumblingtheKeepbeneaththeirfeet.Zeddfrowned.“I’mnotfollowingyourreasoning.”“Why did Ann and Nathan steal the book in the first place for Richard?

Becausetheymisinterpretedprophecy—theythoughtthefinalbattlewasDarkenRahl.TheythoughtthatRichardneededTheBookofCountedShadowstofightDarkenRahl in the final battle. They found the only copy in existence—theythought.“Don’tyousee?Thatwastooeasy.Richardwasborntofightthisbattle,now,

with Jagang and with what the Sisters of the Dark have done by putting theboxesofOrdeninplay.This,now,isanextensionofthesamefinalbattlebegunwithDarkenRahl.“I think the prophecies may hint that Richard learned the wrong key: ‘Be

cautioned,foralltrueforksandtheirderivativesaretangledinthismanticroot.’Alltrueforks—truekeys?—areonthepropheticrootofthisfinalbattle.Itsaysthattheotherforksarefalse.Maybeotherforkscontainthefalsekeys.“Couldn’titbesaidthatthebattleagainstDarkenRahlwasafalsefork?Ann

andNathandidn’tknowenoughatthetime—notenougheventshadunfolded,sotheywentdownthat fork,preparingRichard tofightDarkenRahl,notJagang.Butthisprophecysays,‘Iffuergrissaostdraukadoesnotleadthisfinalbattle,then the world, already standing at the brink of darkness, will fall under thatterribleshadow.’“That terribleshadowis thepowerofOrdenunleashedby theSistersof the

Dark. Theywant to darken theworld of life.Ann,Nathan, andRichardwerepreparingforthewrongbattle.Thisisthebattlehewasmeanttofight.”Zeddpaced,hisfacecreasedinthought.Hehalted,finally,andturnedtoher.

“Maybe,Nicci.Maybe.You’vespentagreatdealmoretimestudyingprophecythanIhave.Maybeyouhavesomething.“Butthen,maybeyoudon’t.Prophecy,asNathanhasexplained,isnotsubject

to study the way you have just explained. Prophecy is a means ofcommunication between prophets. It can’t necessarily be studied, analyzed, orunderstoodbythosewithoutthegiftforprophecy.“JustlikeAnnandNathanmayhavejumpedtoconclusionswithoutsufficient

information,Ithinkit’salsotooearlyforyoutodrawsuchconclusions.”Nicci nodded, concedinghis point. “I hopeyou’re right,Zedd—I really do.

ThisisnotanargumentIwanttowin.I’monlybringingitupbecauseIthinkweneedtoconsidertheimplications.”

He nodded. “There is something else to consider. Richard doesn’t take toprophecy.Heisacreatureoffreewill,andprophecyhasawayofhavingtoopenup to accommodate him. In this case,withDarkenRahl,maybeDarkenRahlwas a false fork, but had he won there are prophetic roots to cover thateventuality as well. Proponents of prophecy would have pointed to them toconfirm thatDarkenRahlwas the true root.Wewouldnow findourselves onone of those other branches, and this one would be false. You can find aprophecytosupportjustaboutanybelief.”“I don’t know,” Nicci said as she ran her fingers back through her hair,

“perhapsyou’reright.”Shewassotired.Sheneededtogetsomesleep;maybethenshecouldthink

moreclearly.Maybeherworrywascausinghertoracedownfalsetrails.“ThereisnowaywecansayatthispointifthecopiesofTheBookofCounted

Shadows,theoneIfoundandtheoneRichardknows,aretruekeysorfalse.”“So,whatarewegoingtodo?”sheasked.Zeddhaltedhispacingandfacedher.“We’regoingtogetRichardback,and

heisgoingtofindawaytostopthisthreat.”Niccismiled.Hehadawayofmakingherfeelbetterinthedarkestoftimes—

justthewayRicharddid.“But I’ll tell you one thing,” Zedd said. “Before that time comes, we had

betterfindoutifthekeyhememorizedisthetrueorthefalsekey.”NicciclosedthecoveronTheBookofLifeandpickeditup,holdingitinthe

crookofherarm.“Ineedtolearnthiswholebook,covertocover.IneedtofindoutifthereisawaytodowhatRichardaskedofme—taketheboxesbackoutofplay,orsomehowannulthethreat.“Failing that, I hadbetter know it inside andout so that I canhopefully be

usefultoRichardinfindingananswertoitall.”Zeddappraisedhereyes.“That’sgoingtobeagreatdealofwork.It’sgoingto

takealotoftime—abookthatcomplexcouldtakemonthstofullyunderstand.Ionlyhopewehavethatmuchtime.Ihavetosay,though,thatIagreewithyou.Iguessthatyouhadbettergetstartedrightaway.”Nicci slipped the book back into a pocket in her dress. “I guess that I had

better.Theremaybebooksherethatwouldhelp.IfthereareanyIcanthinkof,or thatarementioned, I’ll letyouknow.Fromwhat I’ve seenso far, therearetechnicalmattersImayneedhelpwith.IfIgetstuck,IcouldusethehelpoftheFirstWizard.”Zeddsmiled.“Youhaveit,mydear.”Sheshookafingerathim.“ButifyoucomeupwithawaytofindRichard,

youhadbettertellmebeforeyoufinishhavingthethought.”Zedd’ssmilewidened.“Agreed.”“Whatifwedon’tfindLordRahl?”Caraasked.Theothertwostaredather.Thunderrumbledthroughthedistantvalley.Rain

patteredsteadilyagainstthewindows.“Wellgethimback,”Nicciinsisted,refusingtoconsidertheunthinkable.“Nothingisevereasy,”Zeddmuttered.

Chapter54Despite how weary she was of riding, Kahlan was awestruck by the sight

risingup in the distance.Past a dark flood tide ofmenof the ImperialOrder,acrossthepurple-grayshadowssettlingacrossthevastplain,roseanenormousplateau,catchingthelastgoldenraysofthesettingsun.Onthatplateaustoodaplaceasvastasanycity.Thehighouterwallsglowed

inthewaningeveninglight.Whitemarble,stucco,andstonemakingupthevastarrayofbuildingsinanendlessvarietyofsizes,shapes,andheightsshimmeredwiththedepartingblushofdaylight.Roofsshelteredtheplacefromthecomingcoldnightofthedyingseasonasifgatheringitallupunderprotectiveskirts.It was like seeing something good, something noble, something beautiful,

afterallshehadseenforendlessweeksoftravelhadbeengrim,broodingmenrestlessforsomeoneuponwhomtoventtheirvilenature.ItfelttoKahlanasifitwereadesecrationhavingthesemenintheshadowof

suchaplaceasthis.Shefeltashamedtobeamongtheprofanerabblegatheredatthe feetof sucha shiningaccomplishmentofman soproudly risingupbeforethem.Justlookingattheplaceforsomereasonmadeherheartsing.Thoughshecouldn’trecalleverhavingseenitbefore,shefeltasifsheshouldhave.Allaroundthemweregruntingmen,bayingmules,snortinghorses,creaking

wagons,andtheclangofarmorandweapons—thesoundsofthebeastcometoslayall thatwasgood.Thestenchwas likea toxiccloud thatalwaysfollowedalong with them to serve to remind anyone they came upon just howunwholesome thesemen reallywere. As if anyonewould need the additionalclue.All around Kahlan rode the special guards who for weeks now had kept a

watchfuleyeonher.Therewereforty-threeofthem.Kahlanhadcountedsothatshecouldkeeptrackofthemall.Shehadmadeitherbusinessastheytraveledtolearn their faces, their habits. She knewwhich oneswere clumsy,whichwerestupid,whichweresmart,andwhichweregoodwithweapons.Asagamewhileridingendlessdayafterendlessday,shestudiedtheirstrengthsandweaknesses,planningandvisualizinghowshecouldkilleachandeverylastoneofthem.Sofar,shehadnotkilledany.Shehaddecidedthatherbestchanceinthelong

runwastogoalong,fornow,withwhatevershewastoldtodo,tobecompliant,tobeobedient.ThemenhadallbeenwarnedthatshebelongedtoJagang,andtheywerenottolayafingeronher—excepttokeepherfromescaping.Kahlan wanted to blend into the monotony of daily life, to have the men

guarding her become lulled into thinking of her as innocuous, harmless, evencowed,sothatshebecamejustanotheroneoftheirtediouschores.She’dhada

number of opportunities to kill several of the men. She never took thatopportunity,nomatterhoweasyitwouldhavebeen,choosinginsteadtoletthemfeelcomfortable, safe,evenboredwithher.Such inattention to thedanger sherepresentedwould one day serve her better than a useless attack that for nowcouldnotreallyaccomplishanything. Itwouldnothelpherescape,andwouldonlycauseJagangtousethecollar—ifnothishands—tobringherpain.Whileheneedednoexcuse,shesawnopurposetogivinghimagoodone.TheonlyonenotlulledintoindifferenceandcarelessnesswasJaganghimself.

Hedidnotmisjudgeher,orherwill.Heseemedtoenjoywatchingher tactics,eventacticsasuninterestingasdoingnothing.Likeher,hecarriedpatienceinhisarsenal.Hewas theonlyonenot to let his guarddown for an instant.Kahlanthoughtthatheknewpreciselywhatshewasdoing.Sheignoredhimaswell;evenifheknewwhatshewasdoing,shereasoned

thatitstilldiminishedthelevelofcautionhecouldmaintainwhennothingeverhappened. Waiting for something that never came was wearing, even if youknew it was inevitable. Even if he knew that she would eventually trysomething,weeksandweeksofhermeekcompliancewouldbuyhertheelementofsurprise,evenifitwasonlyamomentarysurprise.Thatinstantofadvantagemightbeallthatmadethedifferencewhenthetimecame.Sometimes, though,shecouldnot ignorehim.Whenhewas ina foulmood

andsheangeredhim—usuallybyhermerepresence,notanythingthatshedid—hewouldbeatherbloody.Twiceshehadhad tobehealedbyaSister lest shebleedtodeath.Whenhewasinoneofhistrulyvilemoods,itusuallyendedupbeing a great dealworse than a simple beating.Hewas a very inventivemanwhenitcametohowtoabuseawoman.Whenhewasinanabusivemood,notsimple pain but humiliation seemed to fascinate him. She had learned that hewouldnotstopuntilhemadeherfinallycryforonereasonoranother.Ifshedidcry,itwasonlywhenshecouldnothelpit,whenshefelltodepths

ofsuchpain,orhumiliation,ordespair,thatshesimplycouldnotholdbackhertears.Jagangenjoyedwatchinghercry,then.Shedidnotdoitjusttogivein,tomakehimstopwhathewasdoing,butonlybecauseshewasatapointwhereshecouldnothelpherself.Andthatwaswhathelikedseeing.AtothertimeshewouldbringwomentohistentwhileKahlanhadtostayon

thecarpetbesidethebed,whereshewasalwaysmadetosleep,asifshewerehisdog.He usually brought some unfortunate, captivewomanwhowas less thanwilling.Heseemedtoseekoutcaptiveswhomostfearedhisattention,andthengave them a violent introduction to being a slave to the emperor and his bed.Whenhefellasleep,Kahlanwouldholdtheterrifiedwoman,tellherthatthings

wouldonedaybebetterandcomfortherasbestshecould.Hemight havedone it becausehe enjoyed such things, but thatwasonly a

sidebenefit.HisrealobjectivewastoconstantlyremindKahlanofwhatwouldhappentoheroncehermemoryreturned.Kahlanintendeditnevertoreturn.Hermemorywouldbeherundoing.Nowthat theyhadarrivedat theirdestination, therewouldbemoretimefor

Ja’Lagames.Kahlanimaginedthattherewouldbetournaments.Shehopedthattheywould divert Jagang’s attention fromher, keep himoccupied. Shewouldhavetoaccompanyhim—shewasmadetostayclose—butthatwasbetterthanbeingalonewithhim.Astheyarrivedattheemperor’stentsshewasatfirstalittlepuzzledthatthe

compound specifically, and the camp in general,was so far from their distantobjective.Hewassoclose.Itseemedthatitwasonlyamatterofanotherhour’srideortwoandtheywouldbethere.Kahlandidn’taskwhytheyhadstoppedshort,butshesoonfoundoutwhen

officersarrivedforanightlybriefing.“IwantalltheSistersonwatchtonight,”Jagangtoldthem.“Thisclose,there

isnotellingwhatsortsofwickedpowerstheenemyuptheremightsenddownonus.”KahlannoticedthatSistersUliciaandArmina,notfaraway,wererelievedto

overhearsuchorders.Itmeanttheywouldn’tbesenttoentertainthemen.Inthelongmarchofweeks,afterbeingsenttothetentsalmostnightlyaspunishmentfortheirtransgressionsagainstJagang,theybothlookedtohaveagedyears.Theyhadbothbeenratherattractivewomen,butnomore.Theybothhadlost

whatever beauty they once possessed.Their eyes, heavywith dark bags,wereratherhollowanddistant.SisterArmina’sskyblueeyesseemedtoalwayslookstartled,asifshestillcouldn’tbelieveherfate.Creaseshadcometotheirfaces,givingthembothaheavy,drained,downcastlook.Theywerealwaysdirty,theirhair perpetually tangled and their clothes torn. They often showed up in themorningwithluridbruises.Kahlan didn’t like to see anyone suffer, but she could not work up any

sympathyforthesetwo.Wereitnotforthem,shewouldnotbeintheclutchesofamanwhowasonlycountingthemomentsuntilsherecoveredhermemoryandhe could begin in earnest to make her suffer what he had promised to beinsufferable agony, both physically andmentally. He had promised her, morethanonce,thatwhenshehadhermemorybackhewasgoingtoimpregnateherandshewasgoingtobearhimachild—amale,healwaysclaimed.Healwaysaddedacrypticmessageabouthowwhenshehadhermemoryback,shewould

thentrulyunderstandjustwhatamonstersuchamalechildwouldbetoher.As far asKahlanwas concerned,whatever Jagang did to those twowomen

wasnotenough.Beyondwhattheyhaddonetoher,byhearingbitsandpiecesKahlanhadput

together the nature of their plot and what those two had planned to do toeveryone. That alone made it impossible to treat them too brutally. If it wasKahlan’schoice,though,shewouldsimplyhaveputthemtodeath.Kahlanheldnofavorwithtorture;shesimplybelievedthattheydidnotdeservetocontinuetolive.Theyhadforfeitedtheirrighttolivebytheharmtheyhadalreadydonetoothers,andbywhattheyplannedtodotodepriveeveryoneoftheirlives.Bythatmeasure,theentirearmydeservedtodie.KahlanonlywishedthatJagangcouldsufferasimilarfate.“Atleasttheirarmyhasfled,”oneoftheseniorofficerssaidtoJagangasthe

emperor’shorsewasledaway.AnothermantookKahlan’smare.Theofficerwasmissinghalf his left ear. It had long since healedover in a

lump,becomingadistractionthatwashardtoignore.Menwhodidn’tignoreitsometimeslostanear.“Theyhavenodefendersleft,”anotherofficersaid.“I’msuretheyhavegiftedupthere,”Jagangsaid,“buttheyshouldn’tpresent

anobstaclethatcanstopus.”“Thereportsofthescoutsandspiessaythattheroadupthesideisnarrow—

too narrow for any kind ofmass assault. There is also a drawbridge that theyhave raised. Bringing building materials up that road, and then defendingourselveswhilewetriedtospanthechasm,wouldbehardtodo.“As for thegreatdoor leading to the interiorwayup into theplateau, ithas

beenclosed.Nooneentertainsanyfaithinbreachingthatdoor.Ithasstoodforthousandsofyearsagainstanyassault.Besides, thereportsfromthegiftedsaythattheirpowersareweakenednearthepalace.”Jagangsmiled.“Ihavesomeideas.”Themanmissingpartofhisearbowedhishead.“Yes,Excellency.”AsJagangandhisofficerstalked,Kahlannoticedasmallclusterofmeninthe

distanceridingatbreakneckspeedthroughthecamp.Theywerecomingupfrombehind,fromthesouth.Ateverycheckpoint, themenbroughttheirhorsestoaskiddinghalt,spokebrieflytosentries,andwereusheredthrough.Jaganghadnoticedtheriders,too.Hisconversationwithhisofficersdwindled

awayandsoonallofthemwerewatchingwiththeemperorastheridersmadeittotheinnerdefensesanddismountedinacloudofdust.Theywaitedatthefinalringofsteelforpermissiontoentertheemperor’scompound.

WhenJagangsignaled,themenwerebroughtforward.Theycamewithhaste,despitehowtiredtheylooked.Themanat their leadwasawiry fellow,older,withahard look inhisdark

eyes.Hesaluted.“Well,”Jagangsaid,“whatisitthat’ssourgent?”“Excellency,citiesintheOldWorldhavecomeunderattack.”“Is that so.” Jagang heaved an impatient sigh. “It’s those insurrectionists,

mostlyfromAltur’Rang.Haven’ttheybeenputdownyet?”“No,Excellency,it isnotinsurrectionists—althoughtheyarecausingtrouble

aswell, ledbyonecalledtheblacksmith.Toomanyplaceshavebeenattackedforittobethedoingsofinsurrectionists.”Jagangeyedthemansuspiciously.“Whatplaceshavecomeunderattack?”Themanpulledascrolloutfrominsidehisdustyshirt.“Hereisalistwehave

collected,sofar.”«“Sofar?”Jagangasked,archinganeyebrowasheunfurledthescroll.“Yes, Excellency. The information is that there is a wave of destruction

sweepingacrosstheland.”Jagangscannedthelonglistofplacesonthescroll.Kahlantriednottoappear

obviousassheglancedat thereportoutof thecornerofhereye.Shesawtwocolumnsoftownsandcitieslisted.Therehadtobemorethanthirty-fiveorfortyplaceswrittenonthescroll.“I don’t know what you mean by ‘sweeping across the land,’ “ Jagang

growled.“Theseplacesareallrandom.They’renotlocatedinaline,orcluster,oroneareaoftheOldWorld.They’reallovertheplace.”Themanclearedhisthroat.“Yes,Excellency.Thatisthereport.”“Some of this has to be overstated.” Tomake his point, Jagang jabbed the

paperwithafatfinger.Thesilverringsoneachfingerflashedinthefadinglight.“Taka-Mar,forinstance.Taka-Marhasbeenattacked?Itcouldn’thavebeenveryeffectiveforamalcontentmobof fools toattacksuchaplace.Thereare troopgarrisonsthere.It’satransferstationforsupplytrains.Thereareampledefensesin place.There are evenBrothers of theFellowship ofOrder in charge of theplace.Theywouldn’thaveallowedarabbletohavetheirwayinTaka-Mar.Thisreportmost likely is overstated by nervous foolswho are afraid of their ownshadow.”Themanbowedapologetically.“Excellency,Taka-MarwasoneoftheplacesI

sawwithmyowneyes.”“Well?”Jagangroared.“Whatdidyousee,then?Outwithit!”“Theroadsintothecityfromeverydirectionarelinedwithstakestoppedwith

charredskulls,”themanbegan.“How many skulls?” Jagang waved dismissively. “Dozens? As many as a

hundred?”“Excellency,therewerenumbersbeyondcounting,andIstoppedcountingat

several thousandwithout havingmademuch headway in a full tally. The cityitselfisnomore.”“Nomore?”Jagangblinkedinconfusion.“Whatdoyoumean,nomore?Such

athingisimpossible.”“Ithasbeenburnedtotheground,Excellency.Therewasnotasinglebuilding

leftstanding.Thefiresweresointensethatthelumbercannotbesalvaged.Theorchardsallthewayoutintothehillswereallcutdown.Thefieldsofripecropsformilesandmilesineverydirectionhaveallbeenburned.Thegroundhasbeensalted. Nothing will ever grow there again. A once fertile place will neversupportanythingagain.ItlooksliketheKeeperhimselfdestroyedtheplace.”“Well,wherewerethesoldiers!Whatweretheydoingduringallthis!”“The skulls on stakeswere the soldiers garrisoned there. Every last one of

them,I’mafraid.”Jagang cast a look at Kahlan, as if she were somehow responsible for the

catastrophe.Hisglaretoldherthathesomehowassociatedthetroublewithher.Hecrushedthepaperinhisfistashereturnedhisattentiontothemessenger.“WhatabouttheBrothersoftheOrder?Didtheysaywhathappenedandwhy

theyweren’tabletostopit?”“There were six Brothers assigned to Taka-Mar, Excellency. They were

impaledonpostsplacedinthemiddleofdifferentroadsintothecity.Eachhadbeenskinnedfromtheneckdown.Acapofofficewasleftoneachman’sheadsothatallcouldknowwhotheywere.“Themassesofpeoplewhofledthecitysaythattheattackcameatnight.As

terrified as they were, we weren’t able to get much useful information fromthem,otherthanthatthemenwhoattackedthemweresoldiersoftheD’HaranEmpire.Theywereallsureofthatmuch.Everyoneofthesepeoplehaslosttheirhome.“The attackers made no move to slaughter the escaping refugees if they

offerednoarmed resistance,but theymade it quite clear to the fleeingpeoplethattheyintendedtolaywastetoalloftheOldWorldandanyonewhosupportstheImperialOrder.“The soldiers told the people that it is the Order and their beliefs that has

brought this strifeupon them, andwhowill bring themand their land to ruin.ThesoldiersvowedthattheywouldhauntthepeopleoftheOldWorldintotheir

gravesandthenintothedarkestcornersoftheunderworldiftheydidnotgiveupthe teachings of the Order and their belligerent ways that flowed from thoseteachings.”Kahlanonly realized that shewas smilingwhenJagang roundedonherand

backhandedherhardenoughtoknockherfromherfeet.Sheknewthathewasgoingtobeatherbloodythatnight.Shedidn’tcare.Itwasworthittohearwhatshehadjustheard.Shecouldn’t

stopsmiling.

Chapter55Nicci pulled her cloak tighter around herself as she leaned one shoulder up

againstthegreatstonemerlon.Shepeereddownthroughthecrenellationtotheroad far below, watching the four riders making their way up the mountaintowardtheKeep.Theywerestillquiteadistance,butshethoughtshehadagoodideawhotheywere.NicciyawnedasshelookedoutoverthecityofAydindrilbelow,andthevast

carpetofforestsallaround.Thevividcolorsofautumnwerebeginningtofade.Lookingatthetreesspreadingupontotheslopesofthesurroundingmountains,andhow they soboldlyheralded the changeof seasons,madeher thinkaboutRichard. He loved the trees. Nicci had come to love them, too, because theyremindedherofhim.Shesawthetreesinadifferent lightforotherreasonsaswell.Theymarked

theturnoftime,thepassingofseasons,thechangeofpatternsthatwerepartofherworldnow, too,becauseof their connection toall the things shehadbeenstudying in The Book of Life. It was all intricately interconnected—how thepowerofOrdenworked,andhowthatpowerfunctionedthroughitsconnectiontotheworldoflife.Theworld,theseasons,thestars,thepositionofthemoon,were parts of the equation, all parts of what contributed to and governed thepowerofOrden.Themoreshestudiedandthemoreshelearned,themoreshefeltthatpulseoftimeandlifethatwasallaroundher.She had also come to recognize with complete clarity that Richard had

memorizedafalsekey.Shenevermade thepoint toZedd. It seemedunimportant for thepresent. It

wasalsoadifficultcasetomake.Itwasn’tsomuchwhatTheBookofLifesaid,buthowitsaidit.Thebookwasinanotherlanguage,andnotjustHighD’Haran.While it waswritten inHighD’Haran, the true language of the bookwas itsinterconnection to the power invoked through it. The formulas, spells, andprocedureswereonlyoneaspect.Inmanyways it remindedherofhowRichardspokesoconvincinglyof the

language of symbols and emblems. She was coming to understand what hemeantbyseeingitforherselfalllaidoutinTheBookofLife.Shewascomingtoseethelinesandanglesincertainformulasasalanguagealltheirown.ShewasbeginningtotrulygraspwhatRichardmeant.TheBookofLifecarriedmeaningthathadforcedNiccitolookattheworldof

life inanewway—inaway thatverymuchremindedherof thewayRichardhadalwayslookedattheworld,throughaprismofexcitement,wonder,andloveoflife.Inawayitwasaprofoundrecognitionoftheprecisenatureofthings,an

appreciationofthingsforwhattheywere,notforwhatpeopleimaginedofthem.In part, that was because The Book of Life was not just Additive, but

SubtractiveMagicinthesamewaythatdeathwaspartoftheprocessoflife.Itdealtwiththewhole.Forthatreason,Niccicouldn’texplainittoZedd;hedidn’tpossess theability touseSubtractiveMagic.Without thatability,aconstituentpartofwhatwasneededtounderstandTheBookofLifewasmissing.Shecouldexplaintheformulas,layouttheprocedures,showhimthespells,butmuchofithe could only observe through the filter of his limited ability.While he couldintellectually understand some of it, he couldn’t actually perform what wasinvolved.It was something like the difference between hearing about love,

understanding the depth of such feelings, grasping how it affected people, butnever having actually experienced it. Without that experience, it was onlyacademic,sterile.Untilyoufeltthemagic,youdidn’tknowit.ItwasinthatsensethatNiccihadcometoknowthatRichardhadmemorized

afalsekey.Shehadbeenright,before,inthatifthepersonwhoputtheboxesinplayfailedtousethekeyproperly,theboxeswouldbedestroyedalongwiththeonewhoputtheminplay.Butitwasmorethanthatsimplestatement.Therewasthe whole complex nature of the processes involved in using the boxes thatdemonstratedthatconceptinwaysthatthewordsonlypresentedinasimplified,condensedmanner.Through the mechanisms in the book, she could glimpse how the power

functioned.Byunderstanding that functionon a profound level, she could seehow themagic, if invoked, needed and used the key for completion. Throughgrasping that process, she could see how if the key was used improperly theboxesthemselveswereinescapablydestroyedalongwiththepersonmakingthefatal mistake. The magic simply would not allow such a breach to gouncompleted.It would be like tossing a rock and without any outside influence or

intervention having it float in midair rather than fall back to the ground. Itsimplywouldnothappen.Inthesameway,themagicofOrdenhadlawsofitsidentity.Bythewayitfunctioned,bythoselawsofitsidentity,ithadtodestroytheboxesifthekeywasnotusedproperly.Therockhastofall.When Richard used his memory of what he believed was The Book of

CountedShadows,hechangeditinordertotrickDarkenRahlintoopeningthewrongbox.ButithadonlybeenthewrongboxnamedinacleversimulationthatseemedasifithadmeaningtoTheBookofLife.Infact,suchabookwasonlya

shrewdfake,afalsekey.Haditbeenreal,andmisusedinsuchaway,theboxeswouldnolongerexist.A false key, a clever fake, simply could not trigger the power of Orden to

destroytheboxes,buttherealkey,ifusedinthefashionthatRichardhadusedit,wouldhavecausedtheentirestructureofspelltocollapseinonitself,takingtheboxeswithit.TheboxesofOrden,afterall,hadbeencreatedforthepurposeofcountering

theChainfire spell.Tomisuse thekeymeant that someonewithout theproperintentionandknowledgewastryingtogainaccesstoOrden’spower,inessencetamperingwiththepurposeforwhichithadbeencreated.TheBookofLifemadeit all too clear within the structure of the spell-forms that, as a safeguard, ifeverythingwasnotdonecorrectly,namelycompletedwiththekeyintheexact,prescribedmanner, the formulasand spellswould self-destruct—notaltogetherunlikethewayinwhichRichardhadshutdowntheverificationweb,collapsingit,tosaveNicci.Richardhadmemorizedafalsekey,thatwasthetruthofit.“Whatisit?”cameZedd’svoice.Niccilookedbackoverhershouldertoseetheoldwizardmarchingacrossthe

vast rampart. She knew that she had to set aside the things she had beenconsidering.TellingZeddaboutthefalsekeynowwouldonlycausehimtowanttoargue.ArguingwithZeddwouldservenopurpose.Richardwastheonewhoreallyneededtoknowthatthekeyhepossessedwas

false.“Fourriders,”Niccitoldhim.Zeddcame toahaltat thewall.Hepeereddownat the roadandgrunted to

indicatethathesawthem.“Looks like Tom and Friedrich to me,” Cara said. “Theymust have found

someonesneakingaround.”“Idon’tthinkso,”Niccisaid.“Theyhardlylooklikeprisoners.Icanseethe

glintofsteel.Themaniscarryingweapons.Tomwouldhavedisarmedanyonehethoughtwasathreat.Besides,theotheronelookslikealittlegirl.”“Rachel?”Zeddasked,frowningasheleanedoutfarther,tryingtoseebetter

betweenthetreesfardowntheroad.Itwouldnotbemanymoredaysuntilthosegolden-brownleavesweregonefortheseason.“Doyoureallythinkitcouldbeher?”“That’smyguess,”Niccisaid.Heturnedandappraisedhercritically.“Youlookterrible.”“Thankyou,”shesaid.“Justwhatawomanlikestohearfromagentleman.”

Hehuffedadismissalofhisrudemanners.“When’sthelasttimeyougotanysleep?”Nicciyawnedagain.“Idon’tknow.Lastsummer,whenIcamebackfromthe

People’sPalacewiththatbook?”Hemadeafaceatherratherpoorattemptathumor.Shedidn’tknowwhyshe

tried to be funny with him. Zedd could make people laugh just by grunting.Whenevershesaidanythingshethoughtwasratheramusing,peoplejuststaredather,thewayCarawasdoing.“Howisitcoming?”heasked.Nicciknewwhathemeant.Shepulledsomehairbackoffherface,holdingit

back from thegraspof thewind.“Icoulduseyourhelpwithsomestarchartsand angle calculations. It might speed things up if I didn’t have to do thosemyself.Icouldgoontosomeoftheothertranslationsandproblems.”Zeddlaidahandtenderlyonherback,givingheragentlerubthatconveyeda

personal,comfortingwarmth.“Ononecondition.”“What’sthat?”sheaskedassheyawnedagain.“Yougetsomesleep.”Niccismiledasshenodded.“Allright,Zedd.”Shegestured,pointingwithher

chin.“FirstIthinkwehadbettergetdowntheretoseewhoourguestsare.”

TheywerejustcomingoutthebigdooroftheKeepatthesideentrancewiththepaddockwhentheriderscameunderthearchedopeninginthewall.Tom and Friedrich were escorting Chase and Rachel. Rachel’s hair was

choppedshort,ratherthanlongthewayithadbeen,andChaselookedtobeinsurprisingly good health for a man who had been stabbed with the Sword ofTruth.“Chase!”Zeddshouted.“You’realive!”“Well,it’shardtorideahorseuprightwhenyou’redead.”Cara chuckled.Nicci glanced at her,wonderingwhere thewoman’s sudden

appreciationforhumorhadcomefrom.“Found them returning,” Tom said. “First people we’ve seen out there in

months.”“ItwasgoodtoseeRachelback,”Friedrichsaid.Theoldermanregardedthe

girlwithagrin,showinghowmuchhereallymeantit.ZeddcaughtRachelassheslippedfromthesaddlewhileCaratookthereins

ofthehorse.“My,butyou’regettingheavy,”Zeddtoldher.

“Chase rescuedme,”Rachel said. “Hewas sobrave.You shouldhave seenhim.Hekilledahundredmenallbyhimself.”“Ahundred!My,my,whatanaccomplishment.”“Youstabbedoneinthelegforme,”Chasesaidasheswungdownoutofhis

saddle.“OtherwiseI’donlyhavegottenninety-nine.”Rachel kicked her legs, eager to be put down. “Zedd, I brought something

importantwithme.”Onceontheground,sheuntiedaleatherbaghangingrightbehindhersaddle.

Shebroughtittothegranitestepsandsetitdown,thenundidthedrawstring.Whenshepushedbacktheleathercovering,darknesscameoutintothecrisp

late-autumn daylight. To Nicci, it felt like looking into the inky obscurity ofJagang’seyes.“Rachel,”Zeddsaidinastonishment,“wheredidyougetthis?”“Aman,Samuel,whohadRichard’sswordhadit.HestabbedChaseandtook

mewithhim.Thenhegaveit toawitchwomannamedSix,andtoViolet, thequeenofTamarang,thoughIdon’tthinkshe’squeenanymore.“Youcan’tbelievehowevilSixis.”“IthinkIcanimagine,”Zeddtoldher.Havingalittletroublefollowingthestory,heliftedtheleatherbackalittlefor

abetterlookinside.StaringatoneoftheboxesofOrdensittingonthestepsbeforeher,Niccifelt

asifherheartwereinherthroat.Aftertheweeksandweeksofstudyofthebookthatwentwiththeboxes,toactuallyseeonewasstartling.Theorywasonething,but to see the realityofwhat thisobject representedwasaltogether somethingelse.“Icouldn’t let themhave it,”Rachel toldZedd.“Sowhen Igotachance to

escapeIstoleitandtookitwithme.”Zedd ruffledherchopped-offblondhair. “Youdidgood, littleone. Ialways

knewyouwerespecial.”Rachelhuggedthewizardaroundtheneck.“SixmadeVioletdrawpicturesof

Richard.Itscaredmetoseewhattheyweredoing.”“Inacave?”Zeddasked.WhenRachelnodded,heglancedupatNicci.“That

explainsalot.”Niccitookastepcloser.“WasRichardthere?Didyouseehim?”Rachelshookherhead.“No.Sixleftoneday.Whenshefinallycamebackshe

toldVioletthatshehadbeenbringinghimback,buttheImperialOrdercapturedhim.”“TheImperialOrder…”Zeddsaid.

Nicci tried to imaginewhatwasworse, thewitchwomanhavingRichard inherclutches,ortheImperialOrdercapturinghim.She guessed that what was the worst was Richard stripped of his gift, his

sword,andbeinginthehandsoftheOrder.

Chapter56Kahlan pulled her cloak tighter around herself as she walked beside the

emperor,hisconstant,compliantcompanion.Itwasnotbychoice,ofcourse,butbyforce,whetherappliedorimplied.Atnightshesleptonthecarpetbesidehisbed, a constant reminder of where she would end up. During the day sheremainedalwaysathisside,likehisdogonaleash.Herleash,though,wasanironcollarwithwhichhecouldbringhertoheelatanytime.Shecouldnot imaginewhatcouldengender suchhatred forher,whatcould

havegivenrisetohisburningneedtobringpunishmentdownonherforthesinshesawinallhisenemies.Whatevershehaddonetoearnhishatred,hedeservedit.Whenagustofbittercoldwindrippedthroughtheencampment,Kahlanhid

thesideofherfacebehindhercloak.Menturnedtheirfacesawayfromtheblastofgritcarriedinthewind.Withautumnrapidlydrawingtoanend,winterwouldsoonbeuponthem.Kahlandidn’tthinkitwasgoingtobeatallpleasantoutonthe open plain around the plateau that held the People’s Palace, but she alsoknew that with this bone in his teeth, Jagang wasn’t going to let it go foranything.Hewasnothingifnottenacious.There was supposed to be another copy of The Book of Counted Shadows

hiddensomewherewithinthatplateau,andJagangmeanttohaveit.OutontheAzrithPlain,theconstructiongroundonward.Ithadbeengoingon

throughout the autumn, and sheknew itwouldgoon intowinter, allwinter ifnecessary, until it was complete. If, thatwas, the ground beneath them didn’tfreeze solid. Kahlan suspected that he had plans if that were to happen—probably fires, if needed, tokeep thedirt thawed.She supposed, too, that if itremaineddry,thegroundcouldstillbedugevenifitwasfreezing.Therewasnowaytobreachthegreatinnerdoorintotheplateau,andtheroad

uptheoutsidehadquicklyprovenworthlessforanattackbysuchvastnumbersofmen.Jaganghadasolutiontothepredicament.Heintendedtoconstructagreat,rampedroadwhichwouldallowhisarmyto

march right up to the walls of the palace atop the plateau. He had told hisofficersthatoncetheyreachedthewalls,siegemachinescouldbeusedtobattertheirwaythroughthewalls.First,though,theyhadtogetupthere.Tothatend,outbeyondthevastencampment,closertotheplateau,thearmy

wasconstructingtheramp.Thewidthoftherampwasstaggering.Theyneededit wide for two reasons, both equally important. They needed a ramp wideenough to eventually support an assault massive enough that it couldn’t be

turnedbackby thedefenders.Justas important, theplateau toweredabove theAzrithPlain.Fortheramptoreachthatheight,thebasehadtobemonumentallestthewholethingcollapse.Theyhadto,inessence,buildasmallmountainupagainsttheplateauinordertoreachthetop.Tenacious,indeed.The distance they had to their goal, from where they had started, was

daunting. Because of the height, it required great length so that men andequipment could eventually bemarched and rolled up the roadway theywerebuildinguptotheverywallsofthePeople’sPalace.Itseemedatfirsttobeacrazyidea,animpossibleproject,butwhatcouldbe

accomplished withmillions of men who had nothing else to do and a drivenemperor who cared nothing about their well-being was nothing short ofastonishing.Everymoment therewas light,andsometimesby torchlight, long,snakingfilesofmeneithercarriedcontainersofdirtandrocktothesiteoftheever-growingrampordugupgreatmoundsofsupplies.Rockwasmixedwiththefinersoiltomakeitstable.Othermenhadsimple,weightedtamperstopackthenewdirtasitwasdumped.Nearly all themen in the campwere engaged in the enterprise.Though the

task was daunting, the progress made by so many men was continual.Inexorably,therampcontinuedtogrow.Ofcourse,thehigheritgot,thelongeritwasgoingtotake,becauseitwouldrequiresomuchmorematerial.Kahlanthoughtitappropriatethatsuchmenwouldassaultfineconstructionof

marblewith dirt. It befitted the philosophy of theOrder to grub in the dirt inordertobringdownsomeofman’sfinestwork.Kahlan couldn’t imagine how long itwas going to take to complete such a

project, hut Jagang had no intention of abandoning his plan until he wassuccessful.Theendwasinsight,heoftenremindedhisofficers,andheexpectedcomplete devotion and sacrifice from all for their noble purpose. He wasimplacableinhisdeterminationtobringdownthelastbastionoffreedom.Fromtheedgeoftheemperor’scompound,astheyobservedtheconstruction,

Kahlansawamessengercominginonhorseback.Tothesouth,shecouldseethelong plume of dust rising from an approaching supply train. She had beencheckingonitforhours,watchingitdrawevercloser,andnowtheleadwagonswerejustbeginningtoentercamp.Jagang had been relieved to see the supply train finally arrive.An army as

vastasthisonerequiredconstantsuppliesofallsorts,butmainlyfood.OutontheAzrithPlain, therewasnowherefor thearmytoscavengefood; therewerenofarms,nocrops,noherdsoflivestock.ItwouldtakeconstantresupplyfromtheOldWorldtokeepthearmyaliveandbuildingtheemperor’srampupinto

thesky.After dismounting, the messenger approached and waited patiently. Jagang

finallysignaledseveralofficersforwardalongwiththemanwho’driddenin.Themanbowed.“Excellency,Icomewiththesuppliesthegoodpeoplefrom

ourhomelandhavesent.Manysacrificedtoseetoitthatourvalianttroopshavewhattheyneedtovanquishtheenemy.”“Wecanusethesupplies,nodoubtofthat.ThemenareallworkinghardandI

needtokeepuptheirstrength.”“Our train also brings someof the Ja’La dh Jin teams thatwish to join the

tournamentsinthehopesofhavingthechancetoonedayplayHisExcellency’srenownedteam.”“Whatteamsarethey?”Jagangasked,absently,ashescannedamanifestthe

messengerhandedhim.“Most are teams of our soldiers from various divisions. One is the team

belongingtothecommanderofoursupplytrain.Tosupplementhisownmen,hehasgatheredmenfromtheNewWorldalongourjourneynorth.Hethinksthat,withsuchmenfromtheNewWorldonhisteam,hecanprovidequiteaspectacleforHisExcellency’senjoyment.”Jagangnoddedashecontinuedtoreadthelist.“Itwilldotheseheathensgood

to learnourways. Ja’Ladh Jin is a goodway to bringother peoples intoourculture and customs. It diverts simpleminds from the barren existencewe allendureinthismeaninglesslife.”Themanbowed.“Yes,Excellency.”Jagangfinallyfinishedandlookedup.“I’vebeenhearingrumors.Isthisteam

withthecaptivesasgoodasI’veheard?”“Theyseemtobeformidable,Excellency.Theyhavedefeated teamsthatno

onethoughttheycouldbeat.Atfirstitwasthoughttohavebeensimpleluck.Noonestillthinksitisluck.Theyhaveapointmanwhoissaidtobethebesteverseen.”Jaganggruntedhisskepticism.“Ihavethebestonmyteam.”Themanbowedanapology.“Yes,Excellency.Ofcourseyouarecorrect.”“Whatworddoyoubringfromourhomeland?”Themanhesitated.“Excellency,IamafraidthatImustreportsomeunsettling

news. As the next supply train that was to follow after ours was assemblingdownintheOldWorld,itwassetuponanddestroyed.Alltherecruitswhowereto be sent north with the train to reinforce our army… well, I’m afraid,Excellency,thattheywereallkilled.Theirheadswereleftonstakesbesidetheroad.Thelineofstakesstretchedfromonetowntothenext—bothtownsburned

totheground.Anumberofcities,alongwithforestsandcroplands,areburning.Thefiresareintenseand,whenthewindisright,wecansmellthesmokeeventhisfarnorth.Itisdifficulttopindownexactlywhatisgoingon,exceptthattheattacksareallreliablyreportedtobeNewWorldsoldiers.”JagangglancedatKahlan.Shesuspectedhewaslookingtoseeifshewould

smile, like the last time.Shedidn’tneed to smile.Shecouldmaintain a stonyface,andrejoiceinwardly.Shefelt likecheeringthoseunknownmenfarawaywhowerebeginningtovexJagangwiththedamagetheywerecausing.Almostasbadasthedamage,rumorsweresweepingthroughthecamp.The

attacks in theirhomelandwereunsettling themen,whohadalwaysconsideredtheOldWorldnotjustinvulnerabletosuchattack,butinvincibleaswell.Astherumors spread, they grew in weight among the men. Jagang had alreadyexecuted a number of men for spreading such rumors. Since she had littleinteraction with the men—most didn’t even see her—she didn’t know if theexecutions quelled the rumors but, somehow, she doubted it. If the rumors ofsuchthingsunsettledthesoldiers,KahlancouldonlyimaginethefearbeginningtogripthoseintheOldWorld.Whiletheirarmywasawayseekingconquest,sheimaginedthatthepeoplebacktherewerelargelydefenseless.“The reportsare,Excellency, that thesemaraudersaredestroyingeverything

in their path. They burn crops, kill livestock, destroymills, break dams, ruineverysortofcraftproducinggoodsforournobleefforttospreadthewordoftheOrder.“Particularly hard hit are thosewho give support to our people by teaching

themthewaysoftheOrder—thosewhoinstilltheneedtosacrificeforourefforttocrushtheheathenstothenorth.”Jagangwasremainingcalmontheoutside,butKahlan,aswellastheofficers

watchinghim,knewthatinsidehewasboilingwithrage.“Anyideawhoisgoingafterourteachers,ourleaders?Anyparticularunitof

theenemy?”Themanbowedanotherapology.“Excellency,Iregrettoreportthatallofour

teachersandtheBrotherswhohavebeenmurderedtryingtoteachthewaysoftheCreator and theOrder,well… every one of their corpseswas found to bemissingarightear.”Jagang’sfacewentredwithrage.Kahlancouldseethemusclesinhisjawand

templesflexashegrittedhisteeth.“Doyouthinkitcouldbethosesamemenwhoplaguedusonourwayupinto

theMidlands,Excellency?”oneoftheofficersasked.“Ofcourseitis!”Jagangroared.“Iwantsomethingdoneaboutthis,”hesaid,

directinghisorderstotheofficers.“Doyouunderstand?”“Yes, Excellency,” they all said as one as they bowed their heads and kept

themboweddown.“Iwanta stopput to thisnuisance.Weneed thosesupply trains tocontinue

coming.We’reclose toending thiswar inagreatvictory. Iwillnotallowourefforttofail.Doyouunderstand!”“Yes,Excellency,”theyallsaidtogether,again,bowingdeeper.“Thengettoit—allofyou!”Asthemenalldepartedtoseetotheirorders,Jagangstartedmarchingaway,

outofhiscompound.Kahlanfelttheshockofpainfromthecollarpromptinghertokeepupwithhim.Armedmen,asalways,fellinaroundJagangashisroyalescortandguard.

Chapter57Richardwatchedthroughthebarscoveringthesmallwindowinthesideofhis

ironcageasthewagonbouncedthroughthesprawlingencampment.“Ruben,would you take a look at that,” Johnrock said.Hands gripping the

bars,hewasgrinninglikeamanonholidayatwhathesaw.Richardglancedoverathiscagemate.“Quitethesight,”heagreed.“Thinkthere’sanyoneherewhocanbeatus?”“Iexpectwe’llfindoutsoonerorlater,”Richardsaid.“I’ll tell you,Ruben, I’d like to get a crack at cracking some heads on the

emperor’steam.”ThemangaveRichardasidelongglance.“Thinkifwebeattheemperor’steamthey’llletusgohome?”“Areyouserious?”Themanhuffedalaugh.“Itwasajoke,Ruben.”“Apoorone,”Richardsaid.“Isuppose,”Johnrocksaidwithasigh.“Still,theysaytheemperor’steamis

thebest.I’dnotliketofeelthatwhipagain.”“Oncewasenoughforme,too.”The two of them had shared the iron cage ever since Richard had been

capturedback inTamarang. Johnrockhadalreadybeenacaptive, takenbeforeRichard.Hewasabigman,amiller,fromthesouthernreachesoftheMidlands.Justbeforethesupplytrainhadmovedthroughhislittlevillage,soldiersonleadpatrolhadarrivedandthoughtthat,becauseofhissize,Johnrockmightmakeagoodadditiontotheteam.Richarddidn’tknowJohnrock’srealname.He’dsaideveryonejustcalledhim

Johnrockbecauseofhissizeandhowhardhismuscleswerefromcarryingsacksof grain. He knew Richard as Ruben Rybnik. Even though Johnrock was afellowcaptive,Richarddidn’tthinkitwouldbesafetoletanyoneknowhisrealname.JohnrockhadtoldRichardthathe’dbrokenthearmsof threeof thesoldiers

tryingtocapturehimbeforetheytookhimdown.Richardsaidonlythattheyhadpointed arrows at him, and so he’d given up. Johnrock had appeared slightlyembarrassedforwhathesawasRichard’slackofmettle.Despitehis rathergoofy, lopsidedgrin,whichheworeoftenanddespitehis

circumstances,Johnrockhadaquickwitandananalyticalmind.HehadcometolikeRichardbecauseRichardwastheonlyonewhodidn’tassumehewasstupidanddidn’ttreathimassuch.Johnrockwasanythingbutstupid.He had eventually decided that he’d been wrong about Richard’s lack of

bravery andhad asked tobehis rightwingman in the Ja’Lagames.Wingmanwasaratherthanklesspositionthatexposedhimtochargesandbruisesfromtheopponents.JohnrocksawthevalueinsuchapositionbecauseitallowedhimtobreaktheheadsofmenfromtheOrderandhewascheeredfordoingso.Eventhoughhewasabigman,Johnrockwasquick—acombinationthatmadehimaperfectman forRichard’s rightwing.He loved being close toRichard duringplaysohecouldseeRichardventhisrageontheJa’Lafieldinawaythat theother teamsdidn’texpect.Together, the twoof themhadbecomeaformidablepaironthefield.Itwasneverspoken,buttheybothknewthattheothervaluedthechancetoextractalittlebitofrevengeonthosewhohadcapturedthem.The camp beyond the iron bars seemed to go on endlessly. Richard was

sickened to seewhere theywere—outon theAzrithPlainaround thePeople’sPalace.Hedidn’twanttolookanymore,andsatbackdown,leaningupagainsttheothersideofthebox,restingawristoverhiskneeasthewagonswayedandbuckedthroughtheendlesshorde.HewasrelievedthattheD’Haranforceswerelonggone,ortheywouldhave

bynowbeenannihilatedfornothing.Instead,thosemenwouldbynowhavehadenough time tomake it down to theOldWorld. Theywere probably alreadylayingwastetotheplace.Richardhopedtheystucktotheplan—fastandfierceattacks,keepseparated

andhiteverywhereintheOldWorld,sparingnothing.Hedidn’twantanyoneintheOldWorldtofeelsafe.Thereneededtobeconsequencestotheactionsthatflowedfromtheirbeliefs.Themen in the camp all watched the wagon train passing among them. It

lookedtobewelcome,probablyforthefooditbrought.Richardhopedtheygottheir fill.Knowing theordershehadgiven, itwas likely tobeoneof the lastsupplytrainstoleavetheOldWorld.Withoutsupplies,outontheAzrithPlain,withwinterabouttodescenduponthem,Jagang’sarmywasgoingtofinditselfunexpectedlyfallingonhardtimes.NearlyallthementheypassedneartostaredintoRichard’scage,tryingtoget

aglimpseofhim.HeexpectedthattherewerealreadyrumorsspreadingthroughthecampabouthimandhisJa’La team.Hehad learnedwhen theystopped toplay teams at army posts along the way that their reputation preceded them.These men were fans of the game and looked forward to the tournaments,especially since there would no doubt be heightened interest because of thearrival ofRichard’s team—orRuben’s team, as itwas informally known.Theteamreallybelongedtothecommanderwiththesnakeface.Therewaslittleelsetoentertain thesesoldiers,other than thewomencaptives.Richard triednot to

thinkaboutthat,becauseitonlymadehimangry,andtherewasnothinghecoulddoaboutitinhiscage.Oneday,afteraparticularlyviolentgamethattheyhadwonhandily,Johnrock

admittedtobeingconfusedastowhyRichardwouldhaveallowedhimselftosoeasilybecaptured.Richardfinallytoldhimthetruthofwhathappened.Johnrockatfirstdidn’tbelievehim.Richardtoldhimtoasksnake-facesometime.HedidandfoundthatRichardwastellingthetruth.Johnrockgreatlyvaluedlibertyandthoughtitwasworthfightingfor.ThatwaswhenJohnrockaskedtobeRichard’srightwingman.WhereRichardhadoncechanneledhis rage through theSwordofTruth,he

nowchanneleditthroughthebrocandtheplayoftheJa’Lagame.Evenhisownteam,asmuchas they likedhim leading them, toadegree fearedhim.ExceptJohnrock.Johnrockdidn’tfearRichard.HesharedRichard’swayofplaying—asifthegamewerelife-or-death.Forsomeof theiropponentsmadeupof ImperialOrder troopswho thought

too much of themselves, it had been. It was not at all unusual for players,especiallyopponentsofRichard’steam,tobeseriouslyhurt,orevendieduringamatch.OneofthemenonRichard’steamhaddiedduringagame.He’dbeenhitintheheadwiththeheavybrocwhenhewasn’tlooking.Itsnappedhisneck.RichardrememberedwalkingthestreetsofAydindrilwithKahlan,watching

childrenplayJa’La.Hehadgivenoutofficialballsif theywouldtradeintheirheavybrocsforthelighteronesRichardhadhadmadeup.Hedidn’twantthemgettinghurtjusttoplayagame.NowallthosechildrenhadfledAydindril.“This looks like a bad place for us to be,Ruben,” Johnrock said in a quiet

voice as he watched the camp roll past their little window. He soundeduncharacteristicallygloomy.“Averybadplaceforustobeslaves.”“Ifyouthinkyou’reaslave,thenyouareaslave,”Richardsaid.Johnrock staredbackatRichard for a longmoment. “Then I’mnot a slave,

either,Ruben.”Richardnodded.“Goodforyou,Johnrock.”Themanwentbacktowatchingtheendlesscamppassbeforehiseyes.Hehad

probably never seen the likes of it in his life. Richard remembered his ownwonderwhenhefirstlefthisHartlandwoodstodiscoverwhatwasbeyond.“Wouldyou lookat that,” Johnrocksaid ina lowvoice, staringout through

thebars.Richarddidn’tfeellikelooking.“Whatisit?”“Alotofmen—soldiers—butnotliketherestofthesoldiers.Theseall look

thesame.Betterweapons,betterorganized.Bigger.Theylookfierce.Everyone

ismakingwayforthem.”Johnrock looked back over his shoulder at Richard. “I bet it’s the emperor

cometowatchusrollby—cometoseethechallengerstohisteamcometothetournaments.From thedescriptions I’veheard, Ibet that fellowbeingguardedbyallthosebigguardsinchainmailisJaganghimself.”Richardwentbacktothesmallopeningtohavealook.Hegrippedthebarsas

heputhis faceclose to seebetter as theypassedclose to theguardsand theircharge.“That looks like it’s probably Emperor Jagang, all right,” Richard told

Johnrock.The emperorwas looking the otherway,watching some of the other Ja’La

teamsmadeupofImperialOrdersoldiers.Theyweren’tlockedinironboxesinwagons, of course. Jagang was watching them marching proudly in ranks,carryingbannersoftheirteam.Andthenhesawher.“Kahlan!”Sheturnedtowardhisvoice,notknowingwhereitwascomingfrom;Richard

wasgrippingthebarshardenoughtonearlybendthem.Eventhoughshewasn’tfar,he realized thatsheprobablycouldn’thearhimoverall thenoise.Menallaroundwerecheeringfortheparadeofmarchingteams.Her long hairwas tumbled down over her cloak.Richard thought his heart

wouldexplodeithammeredsohardinhischest.“Kahlan!”Sheturnedmoretowardhim.Theireyesmet.Hewasstaringrightintohergreeneyes.WhenJagangstartedtoturnaround,sheimmediatelyturnedaway,lookingoff

wherehewaswatching.Heturnedbackwithher.Andthenshewasgone,hiddenbehindmenandwagonsandhorsesandtents,

disappearingintothedistance.Richardfellbackagainstthewall,gasping.Johnrocksatdownbesidehim.“Ruben—what’swrong?Youlooklikeyou’ve

seenaphantomwalkingamongallthosemen.”Richardcouldonlystare,hiseyeswide,ashepanted.“Itwasmywife.”Johnrock let out a hardy laugh. “Youmean you saw the woman you want

whenwewin?Thecommandersaysthatifwebeattheemperor’steam,we’dgettopickone.Youseetheoneyouwant?”“Itwasher…”

“Ruben,youlooklikeamanwhojustfellinlove.”Richardrealizedthathissmilefeltlikeitmightbreakhisface.“Itwasher.She’salive.Johnrock—Iwishyoucouldseeher.She’salive.She

looksexactlythesame.Dearspirits,itwasKahlan.Itwasher.”“Ithinkyou’dbestslowdownyourbreathing,Ruben,oryou’regoingtopass

outbeforewehaveachancetobreaksomeheads.”“We’regoingtoplaytheemperor’steam,Johnrock.”“Wegottowinalotofgames,first,tohavethatchance.”Richardhardlyheardtheman.Helaughedwithglee,unabletostophimself.

“Itwasher.She’salive.”RichardthrewhisarmsaroundJohnrock,hugginghimtightly.“She’salive!”“Ifyousayso,Ruben.”

Kahlancarefullycontrolledherbreathing,tryingtogethergallopinghearttoslowdown.Shecouldn’tunderstandwhyshewassoshaken.Shedidn’tknowthemaninthecage.Shehadonlyseenhisfacebrieflyasthewagonrolledpast,butforsomereasonitshookherdowntoherverysoul.Thesecondtimethemanyelledhername,Jagangactedlikehethoughthe’d

heard something. Kahlan had turned back around so that hewouldn’t suspectanything.Shedidn’tknowwhythathadseemedsodesperatelyimportant.Thatwasn’ttrue.Shedidknowwhy.Themanwasinacage.Ifheknewher,

Jagangmighthavehurthim,evenkilledhim.Therewasmoretoit,though.Thatmanknewher.Hehadtobeconnectedto

herpast.Thepastshewantedtoforget.But when she had looked into his gray eyes, everything had changed in a

heartbeat.Hernumbacceptancehadshattered.Shenolongerwantedherpasttobeburied.Shesuddenlywantedtoknoweverything.The look in that man’s eyes was so profoundly powerful—so filled with

somethingimportant,somethingvital—thatitdrovehometoherhowimportantherlifewas.Seeing the look inhisgrayeyes,Kahlan realized thatshehad toknowwho

shewas.Whatever the consequences,whatever the cost, she had to know thetruth.Shehadtohaveherlifeback.Thetruthwastheonlyway.Jagang’sthreatsofwhathewoulddotohermightbeaveryrealconsequence,

butshesuddenlyknewthattherealdangerwasthathewasintimidatingherintoabdicating her life, her will, her existence… into giving herself over to hiscontrol.Byhisthreatsofwhathewoulddotoheroncesheagainknewwhoshe

was,hewasdictatingherlife,enslavingher.Ifshewentalongwithhiswill,thenitwasonlybecauseshesurrenderedhers.Shecouldn’t allowherself to think thatway.Her lifemeantmore than that.

Shemaybehiscaptive,butshewasnothisslave.Aslavewasastateofmind.Shewasnotaslave.Shewouldnotsurrenderherwilltohim.Shewouldhaveherlifeback.Herlifewashersaloneandshewouldhaveitback.NothingJagangcoulddo,

nothinghecouldthreatenherwith,couldtakethatawayfromher.Kahlanfeltatearofjoyrolldownhercheek.Thatmanshedidn’tevenrememberhadjustgivenherthewilltotakeherlife

back,thefiretolive.Itfeltlikethefirstrealbreathshehadtakensinceshehadlosthermemory.Sheonlywishedshecouldthankhim.

Chapter58Nicci marched through the vast hall of the People’s Palace trailing Cara,

Nathan,andagaggleofguards.EverytimesomeonecalledNathan“LordRahl,”it sethernervesonedge.Sheknewitwasnecessary,but inherheart theonlyLordRahlwasRichard.Shewouldhavegivenjustaboutanythingtoseehisgrayeyesagain.Beingin

thepalacemadeitseemshecouldalmostfeelhispresenceallaroundher.Itwasthespellthepalacewasbuiltaround,shesupposed.Thepalacewasbuiltintheformof a spell for theLordRahl.Richardwas theLordRahl.At least in hermind.To be fair, she knew therewere others—Cara, for one—who felt the same.

When shewas alonewithCara,whichwas often, the two of them seemed toshareunderstandingwithoutwordsbeingneeded.Bothsharedthesameanguish.BothofthemwantedRichardback.Cara stepped forward, leading them through a network of small service

hallways toan ironstairwayupadarkwell.Reaching the top,she threwopenthe door. They were greeted with cold light as they stepped out onto theobservationdeck.Beingrightoutattheedgeoftheouterwall,attheedgeoftheplateau,feltlikestandingontheedgeoftheworld.Downbelow,spread likeablack taintalmost to thedistanthorizon,was the

armyoftheImperialOrder.“SeewhatImean?”Nathansaidashesteppedupbesideher,pointingoutthe

construction in thedistance. Itwashard to seeat first,but itquicklybegan tomakesense.“You’re right,” she said. “It does look like a ramp. Do you think they can

actuallybuildarampallthewayuphere?”Nathangazedoutat the site, studying it foramoment.“Idon’tknow,but I

wouldhavetosaythatifJagangisgoingtoallthetroubleofdoingsuchathing,itcanonlybebecausehehasreasontobelievethathecanaccomplishit.”“If they make it up here with a ramp that broad,” Cara said, “we’re in

trouble.”“Morelike‘dead,’“Nathansaid.Niccistudiedwhat themenoftheOrderweredoing,andthedistancetothe

siteofthework.“Nathan,you’reaRahl.Thisplaceamplifiesyourpower.Youought to be able to send some wizard’s fire down there and blow that thingapart.”“Mythought,too,”hesaid.“IsuspectthattheyhaveSistersdowntherewith

shieldstopreventanyoneupherefromdoingjustthat.I’venotprobedforsuch

defenses,andI’venottriedanythingyet.Iwanttowaituntilthey’vebeenatitforquiteawhilelonger—tomakethemfeelcomplacent.Then,whentheyhavesomemoredone,andthey’recloser,andwhenIfinallydohitthem,I’llhaveabetter chance of doing some real damage. If I’m able to destroy it now, theywon’thavelostmuch.Bettertowaituntilthey’vealreadyputagreatdealmoretimeandworkintoit.”Niccifrownedupatthetallprophet.“Nathan,youareaverydeviousman.”HesmiledaRahlsmile.“Iprefertothinkofmyselfasingenious.”Nicciwentbacktosurveyingthecampoutbeyondthesiteoftheconstruction.

Itwasjustfarenoughawaytoprovidetheirgiftedwithplentyoftimetoreacttoanattack.NiccihadspentenoughtimewithJagang’sarmytoknowagreatdealabout the way they thought. She knew the layers of defenses that Jagang’sofficersandgiftedwouldplacearoundthearmy.AndsomeofthosegiftedwereSistersoftheDark.“Lookatthat,”shesaid,pointing.“Itlookslikeasupplytrainisjustarriving.”Nathannodded.“Winterwillbehereshortly.Thearmylookslikethey’renot

goinganywhere,sotheywillneedalotofsuppliestokeepallthosemenaliveoverthewinter.”Nicciconsideredwhatcouldbedone,finallydecidingthat, fromwherethey

stood,verylittle.“Well,RichardsentthearmysouthtotheOldWorldtoattacktheir supply trains, among other things. Let’s hope they’re effective and canaccomplish the task. If all those men starve to death that would solve ourproblem.Inthemeantime,I’lldevotesomethoughttowhatwemightbeabletodotohelpthemdie.”Sheturnedawayfromthedepressingviewoftheencampment,andthesupply

trainbringingallthosemenwhattheyneededtostayandlaysiegetothepalace.“Comeon,”shesaidtoNathan.“Ineedtogetback,butwhydon’tyoushow

mebeforeIleave.”Nathantookthemdownthroughthepalacebythesmaller,staffareas,rather

than the vast halls. It was a quick descent through the stone interior of thepalace, taking themever lower into thedark, inner regionsbeneath thepalacethatwerewhatmostpeopleneversaw.Therewereelegantifsimplestonehallseven in these unseen places.Without elaborate decoration, theyweremade ofpolished stone in places, and rich woods in others. These were the privatecorridorsusedbytheLordRahlandhisstaff.Nicci had come to thePeople’sPalace to pay a visit to theGardenofLife.

After that, she had checked to see how Berdine was doing in her search forinformation,andhowNathanwasgettingon.Theyhadwantedtotellherdetails

of their difficulties; she hadn’t really wanted to take the time but she madeherselflistenpatiently.AfterhavingagainseentheplacewheretheboxesofOrdenhadbeen,shehad

beentoodistractedtobeabletoreallyfocusonwhattheyweretellingher.Thistime she saw the desertedGarden of Life differently, getting a feel forwhereDarkenRahlhadopenedtheboxes,forwheretheyhadsat.Shehadstudiedthepositionoftheroom,theamountoflight,theanglestovariousknownstarchartsinadditiontohowthesunandmoontransversetheplace,andtheareawherethespellshadbeeninvoked.Since translating The Book of Life, Nicci viewed the Garden of Life in a

differentway.ShesawitthroughthecontextofthemagicofOrdenandhowtheroomhadbeenused. Ithadgivenheravaluable insight into the lastplace theboxes had been used. Such practical reference had answered some questionsshe’dhad,andconfirmedsomeoftheconclusionsshe’dcometo.At last Nathan reached a set of double doors with guards standing before

them.Hegesturedand themenopened thepairofwhitedoors.Beyondwasawallofwhitestonethatlookedasifithadpartlymelted.“Haveyoubeeninthere?”sheaskedtheprophet.“No,”headmitted.“AtmyageItrytostayoutoftombsasmuchasIcan.”Niccisteppedoverthelowledgeatthesametimeassheduckedthroughthe

lowopening.“Waithere,”shesaidtoCara,whohadbeenabouttofollowherin.“Areyousure?”“Thisinvolvesmagic.”Carawrinkledhernoseasifshehadgottenawhiffofsourmilk,andwaited

outsidealongwiththeprophet.NiccisentasparkofHanintoatorchtotheside.Afterallthistimeitstilllit.

Shesaw then that thehugevaulted roomwasconstructedofpinkgranite.Thefloorwaswhitemarble.Onthewallsallaroundweredozensanddozensofgoldvases,eachsetinthewallbeneathatorch.Nicciabsentlycountedthem.Fifty-seven. Itappeared toher tobeanumber thathadmeaning.Probably thevasesand torches represented the age of the man in the coffin in the center of theroom.Theplacewas troubling,andnot justbecause itwasacrypt.She trailedher

fingersalongthesymbolscutintothegranitewallsjustbeneaththevases.ThewordsthatranaroundtheentireroomandaroundthegoldencoffinwereHighD’Haran.Theinscriptionswereinstructionsfromafathertoasonontheprocessofgoingtotheunderworldandreturning.Quitethelegacy.Such spells contained Subtractive Magic. That was what was causing the

wallstomelt.Containingthembywallingtheplaceoverwithspecialstonehadslowedtheprocessgreatly,buthadnothalteditentirely.“Well?” Nathan asked, poking his head in through the melted hole. “Any

ideas?”Niccisteppedout,brushingoffherhands.“Idon’tknow.Idon’tthinkthere’s

any imminent danger, but this involves dark things so there’s a chance I’mwrong.Ithinkitwouldbebesttoshielditbehindaninvocationofthrees.”Nathannoddedinthought.“Youwanttodoit?LaceitwithSubtractive?”“Itwouldbebestifyoudidit.You’reaRahl.Thatwouldbemoreeffective.

Even if I usedSubtractive, this in here already has bothmixed in, and itwascreatedbyaRahl.SuchpowercouldbreachanyinvocationIcouldcreateinhereunderthelimitationsoftheprotectivespellofthepalace.”Heconsideredonlybriefly.“Iwillseetoitatonce.”Nathancastalookback

atthecrypt.“Anyideawhat’scausingthisspelltoburnthrough?”“OffthetopofmyheadI’dsayitwasactivatedbyoneoftheboxesofOrden

having been opened up in the Garden of Life. I suspect they created asympathetic reactionof somesort. It’snotyetactiveenough lorme to tell thepurpose of the Subtractive element, but thewords inscribed on the coffin andwallsindicatethattheconstituentcompositionintherewasintendedtobeusedto aid in the acquisition of the power of Orden, so they act in a harmonicresponseafterhavingbeeninthevicinityofthatspecificpower.”Nathannoddedinthought.“Allright.I’lldoaninvocationofthreesandkeep

myeyeonit.”“Ihavetogetback.Iwillcheckbacklater,justtoseeifyou’vehadanyword

fromRichardandtoseehowtheOrderisgettingalongoutthere.”“Tell Zedd that I have everything well in hand, and I have the enemy

surrounded.”Niccismiled.“I’lltellhim.”

Onherwaythroughthevasthallsofthepalace,withCaraatherside,Nicciwas lost in thought.Shewasunsureofwhat todonext.Therewere troublingproblems descending from every direction.Most felt shadowy and ill defined.There was no one with whom she could really discuss all the things goingthroughhermind.Zeddwasahelpinsomeofit,whileCarawasgoodtotalktoforotherthings.ButRichardwastheonlyonewhowouldbeabletograspthewaysinwhich

shewasbeginning tounderstand fundamental issues.Richard, in fact,was the

one to introduce her to the concept of creative magic. She still clearlyremembered that talk with him, one night at camp. It was one of the manydefiningmomentswithRichard.There were also things Richard needed to know. There were incidents

involvinghimandtheboxesofOrdenthatweretroubling,tosaytheleast.Inaway, he had built a fire under ingredients thatwere notmerely dangerous butwerebeginningtobubbleandboilandcouldpossiblycombineontheirowninthemostinsidiouswaysifactionwasn’ttaken.There were prophecies involved that, not being a prophet, she didn’t trust

herself to understand. There were other prophecies that shewas beginning tothinksheunderstoodalltoowellandcouldnotavoidtakingintoconsideration.Primary among those was the prophecy that said, “In the year of the

cicadas”—which this was—”when the champion of sacrifice and suffering,under the banner of both mankind and the Light, finally splits his swarm”—which Jagang had done—”thus shall be the sign that prophecy has beenawakenedandthefinalanddecidingbattleisuponus.Becautioned,foralltrueforks and their derivatives are tangled in this mantic root. Only one trunkbranchesfromthisconjoinedprimalorigin.”Thiswasthetime,succeedorfail,allornothing,thewatershedmoment,thatwouldforeversetthecourseforthefuture.“Iffuergrissaostdraukadoesnotleadthisfinalbattle,thentheworld,alreadystandingatthebrinkofdarkness,willfallunderthatterribleshadow.”Thatprophecy,shewasbeginningtosee,wastangledintheboxesofOrden,

but she couldn’t quite grasp how. From time to time she felt on the brink ofunderstanding, but she could never quite break through to it. There wassomethingjustbeneaththesurfaceofthatprophecythatsheknewwaskey.At the same time, she felt that eventswerecascading,unrestrained, and she

had to do something before those events tumbled out of control. With eachpassingday,sheknewthatoptionswouldcontinuetocloseforthem.TheSistersoftheDarkhavingputtheboxesinplayhadalreadycutofftheirabilitytousethe power ofOrden for its intended purpose: to counteract the ignition of theChainfireevent.WithChainfirecontaminatedbythechimes,theywererapidlylosingtheabilitytousetheirgifttocorrectthedamage.There was no telling howmuch longer any of them would have sufficient

control of their gift necessary to be of any use in overcoming any of theobstaclestheyfaced.Atthesametime,TheBookofLifehadcometohavemeaningforherthatshe

could never have imagined. She had also studied several very obscure booksZedd had found for her onOrdenic theory.They, too, had added depth to her

understanding, but all of that only seemed to open other areas to biggerquestions.Startled,Niccihaltedandlookedup.“Whatwasthat?”“Thebellfordevotion,”Carasaid,lookingalittlepuzzledatNicci’sreaction.Nicciwatchedpeoplebegintogatherbeforeanearbysquarewithapoolinthe

center.Thepool,withalarge,darkrocksetoffcenter,wasopenedtothesky.“Perhaps we should go to devotion,” Cara said. “It sometimes helps when

you’retroubled,andIcantellthatyouaredefinitelytroubled.”NiccifrownedattheMord-Sith,wonderinghowsheknewthatsomethingwas

troublingher.Shesupposedthatitreallywasn’tallthathardtotell.“I don’t have time to go to devotion,” Nicci said. “I have to get back and

figurethisout.”Caradidn’t look likeshe thought thatwasagood idea.Sheheldahandout

towardthesquare.“ThinkingaboutLordRahlmighthelp.”“Thinking about Nathan is not going to do me any good. I don’t care if

everyonethinksthatNathanistheLordRahl.RichardisLordRahl.”Cara smiled. “I know. That’s what I meant.” She took Nicci by the arm,

drawinghertowardthepool.“Comeon.”Niccistaredatthewomanasshewasbeingdraggedalong,andthensaid,“I

supposeitcouldn’thurttostopforashorttimetothinkaboutRichard.”Caranodded,lookingsomehowverywiseatthatmoment.Peoplerespectfully

madewayfortheMord-Sithasshestrodeuptoaspotnearthepond.Niccisawthattherewerefishglidingthroughthedarkwaters.Beforesheknewit,shewaskneelingwithCara,puttingherforeheadtothefloor.“MasterRahlguideus,”thecrowdbeganchantinginonevoice,“MasterRahl

teachus.MasterRahlprotectus.Inyourlightwethrive.Inyourmercywearesheltered.Inyourwisdomwearehumbled.Weliveonlytoserve.Ourlivesareyours.”Nicci added her voice to the others, and together they lifted to reverberate

through the halls. The words “Master Rahl” and Richard seemedindistinguishabletoher.Theywereoneinthesame.Almost against her will, Nicci’s turbulent thoughts quieted as she softly

chantedthewordsalongwitheveryoneelse.“MasterRahlguideus.MasterRahlteachus.MasterRahlprotectus.Inyour

lightwethrive.Inyourmercywearesheltered.Inyourwisdomwearehumbled.Weliveonlytoserve.Ourlivesareyours.”Shelostherself in thewords.Thesunlightwaswarmonherback.Thenext

daywasthefirstdayofwinter,butinsideLordRahl’spalacethesunwaswarm,muchlikeupintheGardenofLife.ItseemedoddinthatDarkenRahl,andhisfather,Panis,weretheLordRahlbefore,makingthisplacetheseatofevil.Sherealized,though,thattheplacewasonlythat—aplace.Themanwaswhat

mattered. The man made the defining difference. The man set the tone thatothersfollowed,eitherrightlyorwrongly.Inaway,thedevotionwastheformalstatementofthatconcept.“MasterRahlguideus.MasterRahlteachus.MasterRahlprotectus.Inyour

lightwethrive.Inyourmercywearesheltered.Inyourwisdomwearehumbled.Weliveonlytoserve.Ourlivesareyours.”ThosewordsreverberatedinNicci’smind.ShemissedRichardsomuch.Even

thoughhisheartbelonged tosomeoneelse, she justmissedseeinghim,seeinghissmile,talkingtohim.Ifthatwasallshecouldeverhave,thatwasenoughtosustainher.Justhisfriendship,hisvalueinherlife,andhersinhis.JustRichardbeinghappy,beingalive,being…Richard.Ourlivesareyours.Nicciabruptlyroseuponherknees.Sheunderstood.Puzzled,Carafrownedupatheraseveryoneelsechanted.“What’swrong?”Ourlivesareyours.Sheknewwhatshehadtodo.Niccistoodinarush.“Comeon.IhavetogetbacktotheKeep.”Astheyrantogetherthroughthehalls,Niccicouldhearthewhisperingsound

ofvoicesrisinguptogethertoechoreverentlythroughthevastcorridors.“MasterRahlguideus.MasterRahlteachus.MasterRahlprotectus.Inyour

lightwethrive.Inyourmercywearesheltered.Inyourwisdomwearehumbled.Weliveonlytoserve.Ourlivesareyours.”Niccifeltherselflostinwordsthatsuddenlyhadmeaningforherthattheyhad

neverhadbefore.Sheunderstoodhowitallfittogether,atlast,andknewwhatshehadtodo.

Zedd rose from his chair at the desk in the little roomwhen he sawNiccistandinginthedoorway.Thelamplightsoftenedhisfamiliarface.“Nicci,you’reback.Howare thingsat thePeople’sPalace?”Niccihardlyheardthequestion.Answeringitwasbeyondher.Zeddsteppedcloser,concernsettlinginhishazeleyes.“Nicci,what’swrong.Youlooklikeaphantomcometohauntthehalls.”

Shehadtoforceherselftospeak.“DoyoutrustRichard?”Zedd’sbrowdrewdown.“Whatkindofquestionisthat?”“DoyoutrustRichardwithyourlife?”Zeddgesturedwithonearm.“Ofcourse.What’sthisabout?”“DoyoutrustRichardwitheveryone’slife?”Zeddgentlygrippedherarm.“Nicci,Ilovethatboy.”“Please,Zedd,doyoutrustRichardwitheveryone’slife?”Theconcerninhiseyesoverspreadhisface,deepeningthecreases.Hefinally

nodded.“OfcourseIdo.IftherewaseveranyoneIwouldtrustwithmylife,orthelifeofanyone,itwouldbeRichard.Afterall,I’mtheonewhonamedhimtobeSeeker.”Niccinoddedassheturned.“Thankyou,Zedd.”He lifted his robes a little as he hurried after her. “Doyou need some help

withsomething,Nicci?”“No,”shesaid.“Thankyou.I’mfine.”Zeddat lastnodded,takingherwordforit,andreturnedtothebookhewas

studying.NicciwalkedthroughthehallsoftheKeepwithoutseeingthem.Shemoved

asiffollowinganinvisibleglowinglinetoherdestination,thewayRichardsaidhecouldfollowtheglowinglinesofaspell-form.“Wherearewegoing?”Caraasked,rushingtofollowbehind.“DoyoutrustRichard?Trusthimwithyourlife?”“Ofcourse,”Carasaidwithoutaninstantofhesitation.Niccinoddedasshecontinuedon.She passed corridors, intersections, rooms, and stairs without really seeing

them. Inadazeofpurpose, she finally reached thehardenedareaof theKeepand the grand roomwhere the verificationweb had nearly taken her life. Shewouldhavediedhad it not been forRichard.He insistedon finding away tosaveherwhennooneelsebelieveditcouldbedone.ShetrustedRichardwithherlife,andherlifewasveryprecioustoher,thanks

tohim.Atthedoubledoors,NicciturnedtoCara.“Ineedtobealone.”“ButI—”“Thisinvolvesmagic.”“Oh,”Carasaid.“Well,allright,then.I’lljustwaitouthereinthehallincase

youneedanything.”

“Thankyou,Cara.You’reagoodfriend.”“Ineverhadany real friends—friends reallyworthhaving—untilLordRahl

camealong.”Niccismiledalittle.“IneverhadanythingworthlivingforuntilRichardcame

along.”Nicci closed thedouble doors.Behindher, the two-storywindows flickered

withlightning.Niccididn’tknowifshehadeverbeeninthatroomwhentherewasn’tastorm.Nowthewholeworldwascaughtinastorm.Whenthelightningflashedtheroomlitwith theharshglare.Therewasone

thingintheroom,however,thatdidnotregisterthetouchofevensuchintenselight.Itwaitedlikedeathitself.Nicci laidTheBook of Life open on the table before the inky black box of

Ordensitting in thecenterof the table. Itseemedthatevery timethe lightningtried to ignite, that black box swallowed the light before it could really getstarted.Staringatitwaslikelookingintoforever.Nicci invoked the first spell, calling forth darkness tomatch the impossible

blacknessofthegrimboxsittingbeforeher.Sheremindedherselfthat,likethePeople’sPalace,itwasthepersonwhodennedit.Withathunderclapofpowerfillingtheroom,thedoorwasbarred.Noonecouldenter.Thecontainmentfieldofthewindowsnolongermattered.Shehadconjuredsomethingmorepowerful.Theroomwassilentandpitchblack.Nicci’svisioncamefromthepowersshehadcalledforth.She spoke thewordswritten on the next page, invoking the next spell that

openedthepathwayforthegoverningformulas.SheusedasliverofSubtractiveMagic tovoid a razor-thinpieceof flesh at the tipofher finger, andused thebloodthatbegantooozetobegindrawingthediagramsneededbeforetheboxofOrden.Asmorebloodranfromtheopenwound,shedrewacontainmentfieldaroundtheboxitself.Itwassomethinglikethefieldoftheroom,butonamuchmore intensescale.Withoutbeingcontained first, suchpoweraswas liberatedfromtheboxofOrdencouldunintentionallybreach theveil,but inaway thatwouldkillonlythepersonattemptingwhatNicciwasattempting.Almost not needing to read the book that she had been studying for what

seemedhalfherlife,shewentontotheequationsinvolvingthetimeofyear:thefirstdayofwinter.Oncethatwascompleted,shedrewthetwoopposingsymbolsandthejointof

theapexfromtheproperchartsinblood.It went on, one intense formula after another, for the next hour, with

calculationsbringingtheresultantlayerofmagicforthtobefoldedintothenextstep.Eachnodeinthebookrequiredthatonlytheappropriatelevelofpowerbeapplied.Ateachspot,Nicciletitflowforthwithoutreservation.Therewasnootherway.As the nightwore on, the lines of the spell built around the box—in some

ways like the Chainfire verification web, with lines that glowed green. Butothers were a pure white, while yet others were constructed of Subtractiveelements and they were blacker than black, looking like nothing so much asvoids in the world where the lines belonged, like slits looking into theunderworld.WhenNicci completed the last incantation, she finallyheard thewhisper of

Ordenitself,confirmationthatshehaddoneeverythingproperly.Yetitwasnotsomuchavoiceasaforcethatformedtheconceptinhermind.Thepowerisopen, itwhisperedthroughthedarkness,inwordsthatfeltlike

icecracking.“Icalluponthistime,thisplace,thisworldtoturnwiththisplayoftheboxes

ofOrden.”Nametheplayer.Nicciplacedherhandsonthedeadblackboxbeforeher.“Theplayer isRichardRahl,”shesaid.“Heedhiswill.Dohisbidding ifhe

provesworthy,killhimifhedoesnot,destroyusallifhefailsus.”It is done. From this moment forward the power of Orden is in play by

RichardRahl.Prophecysaid,“If fuergrissaostdraukadoesnot lead this finalbattle, then

theworld,alreadystandingatthebrinkofdarkness,willfallunderthatterribleshadow.”Nicci had come to realize that if Richard was to win, he must be the one

leadingtheminthisfinalbattle.Theonlywaytoleadwasforhimtohavetheboxes inplay. In thatway,he trulywouldbe the fulfillmentofprophecy: fuergrissaostdrauka—thebringerofdeath.ProphecysaidthattheyhadtofollowRichard,butitwasmorethanprophecy.

Prophecy only expressed the formality of what Nicci knew, that Richardembodiedthevaluesthatpromotedlife.Theyweren’treallyfollowingprophecy;prophecywasfollowingRichard.ThiswastheultimatefollowingofRichard,followinghiminwhathedidwith

the boxes of Orden, in what he did with life and death itself. This was theultimatetestofwhohewas,whohewouldbe,whohewouldbecome.Richardhimselfhadnamedthetermsoftheengagementwhenhespoketothe

D’Harantroops,tellingthemhowthewarwouldbefoughtfromnowon:allornothing.Thiscouldbenodifferent.Itnowtrulywasallornothing.Ulicia and her Sisters of the Dark had likewise opened the gateway to the

powerofOrden.Thestrugglewasnowtrulyinbalance.IfNicciwasrightaboutRichard,andsheknewshewas,thentwoforcesnowproperlywereengagedinthestrugglethatwoulddecideitall.Iffuergrissaostdraukadoesnotleadthisfinalbattle,thentheworld,already

standingatthebrinkofdarkness,willfallunderthatterribleshadow.TheyhadtotrustinRichardinthatstruggle.ForthatreasonNiccihadtoput

the boxes of Orden into play in Richard’s name. The Sisters of the Dark nolongerweretheexclusivearbitersofthepowerofOrden.Inthatsense,NiccihadjustputRichardintoplay,givinghimtheabilitytowinthisstruggle.Withoutwhatshehadjustdone,hecouldnotwin,muchlesssurvive.Nicciseemedtodriftinaworldapart.Whenshefinallyopenedhereyes,the

stormhadended.Thefirstraysoflightwerejusttouchingthewindows.Itwasdawn,onthefirstdayofwinter.Richardhadoneyeartoopenthecorrectbox.Everyone’slifewasnowinhishands.Nicci trustedRichardwithher life.Shehad justentrustedeveryone’s life to

him.Ifshecouldn’ttrustRichard,thenlifewasn’tworthliving.

BesuretolookforthenextandconcludingbookintheSwordofTruthseries.

TableofContentsChapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14Chapter15Chapter16Chapter17Chapter18Chapter19Chapter20Chapter21Chapter22Chapter23Chapter24Chapter25Chapter26Chapter27Chapter28Chapter29Chapter30Chapter31Chapter32Chapter33Chapter34Chapter35

Chapter36Chapter37Chapter38Chapter39Chapter40Chapter41Chapter42Chapter43Chapter44Chapter45Chapter46Chapter47Chapter48Chapter49Chapter50Chapter51Chapter52Chapter53Chapter54Chapter55Chapter56Chapter57Chapter58