Blood of the Fold

" 'Delay is weakness, and weakness is death at the hands of the Order. Our beloved Mother Confessor knew the cost of failure, and has charged us with carrying this war to victory; she has declared this a war without mercy on the Imperial Order, Her wisdom in this was infallible. The alliance, however, was fragmented with self-interest. This was a prelude to ruin. I was forced to act.

" 'My troops have captured Aydindril. »

Zedd exploded. "Bags and double bags! What's he talking about! He has no troops! He just has his sword and this flying rug with fangs!

Gratch rose with a growl. Zedd flinched.

Kahlan blinked away the tears. "Be quiet, both of you."

Zedd glanced from her to the gar, "Sorry, Gratch, no offense intended."

They both sank back down as she went on.

" 'Today I gathered the representatives of the lands here in Aydindril and informed them that the alliance of the Midlands is dissolved. My troops have surrounded (heir palaces and will shortly have disarmed their soldiers. I told them, as I will tell you, that there are only two sides in this war: our side, and the Imperial Order. There will be no bystanders. We will have unity, one way, or another. All lands of the Midlands must surrender to D'Hara. »

"D'Hara! Bags!"

Kahlan didn't look up as tears dripped from her face. "If I have to tell you again to be quiet, you will wait outside while I read this letter."

Adie took a fistful of Zedd's robes and pulled him down into his chair. "Read on."

Kahlan cleared her throat. "I explained to the representatives that you, the queen of Galea, were to marry me, and through your surrender and our union, it shows that this is a union forged in peace, with common goals and mutual respect, and not a matter of conquest. Lands will be allowed to retain their heritage and lawful traditions, but not their sovereignty. Magic in all forms will be protected. We will be one people, with one army, under one command, and under one law. All lands that join us through their surrender will have a say in formulating those laws. »

Kahlan's voice broke. "I must ask you to return at once to Aydindril and surrender Galea. I must deal with matters of various lands, and your knowledge and assistance would be invaluable.

" 'I informed the representatives that surrender is mandatory. There will be no favoritism. Any who fail to surrender will be put under siege. They will not be allowed to trade with us until they surrender. If they do not surrender willingly, with all the benefits that that entails, and we are compelled to gain their surrender by force of arms, then they will not only forfeit those benefits, but incur sanctions as well. As I said, there will be no bystanders. We will be one.

" 'My queen, I would give my life for you, and want nothing more than to be your husband, but if my actions turn your heart against me, I would not force your hand in marriage. Understand, though, that the surrender of your land is necessary and vital. We must live by one law. I cannot afford to show special favors to any land, or we are lost before we begin. »

Kahlan had to pause to gasp back a sob. She could hardly read the watery words wavering before her eyes.

" 'Mriswith have attacked the city. " A low whistle came from between Zedd's teeth. She ignored it and read on. "With Gratch's help, I have put their remains on pikes to decorate the front lawn of the Confessors' Palace so all may see the fate of our enemies. Mriswith can be invisible at will. Besides myself, only Gratch can detect them when they are shrouded by their cloaks. I fear they will come for you, so I have sent Gratch for protection.

" 'We must remember one thing above all others: the Order wishes to destroy magic. They are not shy about using it, though. It is our magic they wish to destroy.

" 'Please tell my grandfather that he, too, must return at once. His ancestral home is in danger. This is why I had to take Aydindril, and cannot leave; I fear to let the enemy have my grandfather's ancestral home, and the dire consequences that would ensue. »

Zedd couldn't keep silent. "Bags," he whispered to himself as he came to his feet again. "Richard's talking about the Wizard's Keep. He didn't want to write it, but that's what he's referring to. How could I be so stupid? The boy is right; we can't let them have the Keep. There are things of powerful magic in there that the Order would dearly pay to put their hands on. Richard doesn't know about the magic in there, but he's smart enough to understand the danger. I've been a blind fool."

With a cold fright Kahlan realized the truth of it, too. If the Order were to take the Keep, they would have access to enormously powerful magic.

"Zedd, Richard is there all alone. He knows almost nothing about magic. He doesn't know anything about the kind of people in Aydindril who can use magic. He's a fawn in a bear's den. Dear spirits, he has no idea of the danger he's in."

Zedd nodded grimly. "The boy's in over his head."