-----.Richard's head was spinning. Pain and dizziness from the fever made Richard only dimly aware that his head had sunk to the table. He groaned as he tried to focus on the implication of what Kahlan had said; of the prophecy of the secret of the Book of Counted Shadows come to life. He felt as the three others pulled him to his feet and led him to a bed in the house. The ground was slippery and their words slurred in his mind.
-----.As the time passed, Kahlan kept Richard company. She occasionally put a cool damp rag over his forehead and smoothed back his hair. He had dark dreams, and old memories plagued his mind. Memories of committing the book to memory, day after day with his father watching out in the woods came to him. He read the book cover to cover many times. His father asked his son for forgiveness after every day in the woods. Richard never considered it anything bad, never resented him. He considered it an honor.
-----.He wrote the book down one hundred times, beginning to end without error before he was satisfied that he would never forget a word of it. Three years passed and Richard's father brought him out to their spot in the woods and waited as Richard wrote the book down again. It was flawless.
-----.Together, they built up a stack of wood, more than enough to burn the book. His father asked if he was sure, to throw the book into the fire. He held the trust of more than just his father in his fingertips. As he threw the book unto the flames, he felt himself no longer as a child.
-----.The book burned, swirled upon by phantoms and bright lights. Beams shot out and all Richard and his father could do was be frozen by the sight. Just as quickly as that all had appeared, it was gone and replaced by silence and darkness.
-----.Richard knew what he had seen; he had seen magic.
o()xxxx[{::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::>
-----.Off in the woods, Katrina was being questioned by Zedd as they searched for the root that was needed to cure Richard of the snake vine's poison.
-----."So how is it that you've come to be here?" Zedd asked as they walked along in the dark, the light of a small orb floating in Katrina's hand showing them the path they needed to take.
-----."Wishes are powerful things, Zedd. I cannot say that I know of how I got here and I don't know why I'm here either. I just am. I don't even know how to get back." A hint of sadness struck her as she voiced her one fear, the one heartstring that could be pulled: not having her significant other.
-----.Zedd stopped walking and turned to face her. He gave her a big hug, which only released the few tears that were being held back. She returned the hug graciously, then pulled away and wiped her eyes with the sleeves of her dress. "Thank you, Zedd."
-----."Child, I'm sure you'll find your way back. Now, could you shine your light this way? I think the root I'm looking for grows right over there."
-----.Katrina smiled and raised her arm up, lifting the light to shine where Zedd wanted to see. She then pushed the light away and it floated, sticking to a nearby tree. "I think the root you're looking for is there, Zedd."
-----.The old man turned to her again. "Your magic is beyond odd, my dear. I don't know how it works, but it does." He turned away from her grin and began to dig at the ground at the foot of the tree. "A-ha! It is here. Wonderful. Now then, let's hurry back."
-----.Katrina summoned her light to her hand once more and the two of them started back for Zedd's house. After a few minutes of silence, Zedd breathed another question.
-----."How do you know everything?"
-----.Katrina didn't think she would ever tire of the question. "It is my understanding that if you love something enough, you do what you can to know everything there is about it. If it's a book, you commit it to memory and grow attached to the characters. If it's a person, you learn everything you can about them and do your best to keep them happy. I have spent years reading about your adventures with Richard and Kahlan, even some of your own individual feats in your past and some of others: such as Magda Searus and her husband-" Zedd cut her off.
-----."So you know of my family as well?"
-----."Yes. And the debt of bones that worked both ways, in your favor and that of the person that owed it."
-----.Zedd sighed. "So you also know-"
-----.Katrina interrupted this time. "Yes, I also know that it was you who put up the boundaries and burned Panis Rahl and Darken Rahl, feeding your fire a bit of the boundary magic, a taste of death upon delivery."
-----.Zedd bowed his head, feeling a bit of heartache.
-----."As for the second rule, I am sorry. It was not my intention to cause you pain, Zedd."
-----.Zedd's head popped back up and his widened eyes locked on Katrina's. Then they went back to normal. "It should have come as no surprise to me that if you knew my story, you would also know the rules. You have used many already today. If you were really a part of this story, you would be an excellent sorceress."
-----.Katrina beamed. "Much appreciated, Zedd. I just hope you can forgive me for not telling you everything that you will need to know for the times ahead."
-----.Zedd pursed his lips, curiously musing the thought. He could see in Katrina's eyes the dark future that awaited them. If she knew everything that was to come, why would she withhold that information? Shouldn't she be willing to part with it to save her friends? As he thought about it, if he were in her shoes, he wouldn't want to part with that information either. It could mean the difference between saving lives and getting others killed. She risked their futures by even being there, but it's not like she could easily go home and leave them to their fates. He only mildly understood the fine lines she tread, the implications of her keeping herself limited in their prophecy was crucial. She had too much free will, as she was not tied to any prophecy in this world. It was quite amazing, as he thought about it.
-----.Before too long, Zedd and Katrina had arrived back at Zedd's house. Signs showed that dawn was only a few hours away. When they walked up, Zedd called for Cat, but it ran outside as they walked in. "Fine, suit yourself. How is Richard?" he called to Kahlan.
-----.When he came into the room, Kahlan answered from the chair. "He came awake several times, but he is sleeping now. Did you find the root you need?"
-----."I wouldn't be here otherwise. Did he have anything to say while he was awake?"
-----."Only that he was worried about you."
-----."With good reason." He turned and went back into the front room, grumbling.
-----.He sat at the table and began peeling the roots. Katrina offered to cut them into thin wafers. He let her as he went over to the cupboard and pulled down a number of different-sized jars. He set to work combining different powders in a black stone mortar. With a white pestle, he ground the powders into a dry mud color. He taste tested the mix. When he was satisfied, he poured it into a pot, blending it with a spoon from a hook at the side of the fireplace. He stirred slowly and watched the concoction boil. For nearly two hours, this went on until he deemed that the work was done. He pulled the pot and put it on the table to cool.
-----.After a while, Zedd collected a bowl and a cloth and called to Kahlan to come help; Katrina had found a comfortable corner and curled up to sleep over an hour ago. Zedd instructed Kahlan how to hold the cloth over the bowl as he poured the concoction through it.
-----."Now, twist the cloth until all the liquid is squeezed out. When it's dry, throw the cloth and its contents into the fire. The part left in there is poison. You keep squeezing. I'm going to check on Richard."
-----.Zedd went to the bedroom and bent over Richard, finding him to be deeply unconscious. He turned, seeing that Kahlan's back was to him as she worked at her task. He placed a middle finger to Richard's forehead; Richard's eyes snapped open.
-----."Dear one," Zedd called. "we are in luck. He has come awake. Bring the bowl."
-----.Richard blinked. "Zedd? Are you all right? Is everything all right?"
-----."Yes, yes, everything is fine."
-----.Kahlan came into the room. Zedd helped Richard sit up and helped him to drink the contents of the bowl.
-----."That will make you sleep, and break the fever. The next time you awake, you will be well, you have my word, so worry no more as you rest."
-----."Thank you, Zedd..." Richard was asleep before he could say more.
-----.Zedd left and returned with a metal plate, placing it under Richard's hand. He explained that the thorn wouldn't be able to stand the root and would leave his body. Other than the crackling of the fire and Richard's deep breathing, the house was still. After a while, Zedd broke the silence.
-----."It is dangerous for a Confessor to travel alone, dear one. Where is your wizard?"
-----.She looked up at him with tired eyes. "My wizard sold his services to a queen."
-----.Zedd gave a disapproving scowl. "He abandoned his responsibilities to the Confessors? What was his name?"
-----."Giller."
-----."Giller." Zedd repeated with a sour expression. "So why did another not come with you?"
-----.She gave him a hard look. "Because they are all dead, at their own hands. They gave their lives to place a web to see my safely through the boundary with the guidance of a night wisp." Zedd stood at this news. Sadness and concern etched his face as he rubbed his chin. "You knew the wizards?" she asked.
-----.Zedd explained that he lived in the Midlands a long time. Kahlan threw another question at him, about the great one she was searching for. He commented on her persistence, but said that the great one wouldn't be inclined to help the Midlands. After a while, she said that she needed to find the great one to appoint a Seeker.
-----."Dear one, you don't know what you're talking about."
-----.Kahlan leaned back, confused. "What do you mean?"
-----."A wizard only recognizes a seeker. He doesn't appoint one. He just sees what happens and makes it official. A wizard doesn't pick someone and go 'Here is the Sword of Truth, you will be Seeker'. He doesn't have a choice in the matter.
-----."The council made the appointment a political bone to be thrown to one of the sniveling dogs at their feet. It was a sought-after post because of the power a Seeker wields. The council didn't understand that the post didn't bring power to the person; the person brings power to the post."
-----.After more chat about false seekers and the things the council had done, Zedd asked why she needed a Seeker.
-----."Against Darken Rahl, I doubt even a true Seeker would last long. What then?"
-----."We have to try. It is our only chance. If we don't take it, we have none."
-----."Any person the wizard picks would not know the Midlands. It would be a sentence of quick death."
-----."We have to try. Confessors are trained from birth to know the Midlands. She has to know the lands because she never knows from where she will be called. I've learned all of the major languages and most of the minor ones. As for drawing lightning, I've drawn my fair share. If Confessors were easy to kill, Rahl wouldn't have to send quads to get the job done. And many have died in the doing. I can help protect the Seeker - if need be, with my own life."
-----."What you propose would not only put someone's life at terrible risk, as Seeker, dear one, but yours also."
-----."I am hunted now. If you have a better way, put words to it."
-----.Zedd looked over at the corner where Katrina lay sleeping. Before he could say anything, Richard moaned. He looked over at him and then rose. "It is time."
-----.Zedd lifted Richard's hand over the plate, holding his arm by the wrist. Blood dripped on the plate with soft, hollow sounds. The thorn fell out with a small splash. Kahlan reached for it.
-----."Don't do that. Now that the thorn has been expelled from Richard, it will want to find a new host. Watch." Zedd took a bony finger and placed it a few inches from the thorn on the plate. It wriggled toward the finger, leaving a bloody trail on the plate. He took his finger away and handed her the plate. "Hold it from underneath. Take it to the fire and place it facedown, leave it there."
-----.Kahlan went to the fire, doing as he requested. While she was doing that, Zedd set to work cleaning Richard's hand and applying a salve. When she returned, he held Richard's hand while she wrapped it. Zedd watched her hands as she worked.
-----."Why have you not told him that you are a Confessor?" There was a hard edge to his voice.
-----.Hers came back in kind. "Because of the way you reacted when you recognized me as a Confessor. Somehow, we have become friends. I am inexperienced in that, but I am very experienced in being a Confessor. I have seen reactions like yours all my life. When I leave with the Seeker, I will tell him. Until then, I would very much like to keep his friendship. Is it too much to ask to be allowed the simple human pleasure of a friend? It will end soon enough when I tell him."
-----.Zedd apologized for his foolish reaction upon first laying eyes on her. She thanked him.
-----."There is one thing left unspoken, dear one. You have not asked for my help in finding the wizard."
-----."No, and for now I won't. Richard fears what I would do if you were to say no. I promised I would not ask until he has a chance to ask you first. I gave him my word."
-----."How interesting." Zedd mused, putting a bony finger on his chin. He laid his hand on her shoulder. "You know, dear one, you might make a good Seeker yourself."
-----."Me? A woman can be a Seeker?"
-----.Zedd lifted an eyebrow. "Of course. Some of the best Seekers have been women."
-----."I already have one impossible job." She frowned. "I don't need two."
-----.Zedd chuckled. "Perhaps you are right. You should go get some rest. I will watch over Richard."
-----.Kahlan retorted and sat down next to Richard. Zedd walked up behind her and began rubbing her temples, "Sleep, dear one, sleep." Kahlan drifted off. Zedd put a blanket over her, then called for Cat. He told Cat to go keep Kahlan warm. It padded off to the bedroom as Zedd stepped outside into the cool night air.
o()xxxx[{::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::>
-----."Nothing is ever easy." Zedd muttered as he made his way along a path to his cloud rock. It was dark out, but he knew the path as he had walked it a thousand times. On the way, something bit his neck. He swatted the offender, then picked it off his neck. "A blood fly. Bags, I thought as much."
-----.From the brush nearby, a creature came at him in a terrible rush. Wings and fur and teeth came charging. Hands on his hips, Zedd waited until just before it was upon him. He raised a hand, stopping the beast in its tracks. It grunted, furious that it hadn't already killed the man. It was half again as tall as he, full grown, and twice as fierce as a long-tailed gar. The beast growled and blinked, flexing its great muscles as it fought against the force that kept it from grabbing the old man.
-----.Zedd motioned it to lean closer, then asked it its name. It grunted a reply. He told it to go after the quad that was on its way there from D'Hara, and to kill them. Then return to its home and stay there, not to venture out toward them ever again. After the short-tailed gar took off, Zedd turned and continued up the path to his cloud rock. An impressive show of magic later, apparitions appeared. Zedd talked to them, and they warned him. He asked about Katrina. They didn't know anything about her. It was like she didn't exist. He asked of Orden and the Book of Counted Shadows. They told him that Rahl didn't have all three boxes and he yet searched for the book. They warned him to not travel through the boundary because Rahl would expect it.
-----.They warned him to not call them again while Orden was in play because it would tear the veil. They started to fade and he yelled, asking for the answers to his questions. They only said that he was talented, moreso than they ever were. That he would find the Seeker, and that he would find the way. He groaned after they disappeared into the night.
-----."Nothing is ever easy."
This is not an original story. This is a fan-fiction based off of the Sword of Truth novels by Terry Goodkind. I do not own any of the characters or places or anything part of the series. Katrina is my character.
