Blood of the Fold

He was hardly able to breathe as he read the journal, hoping against hope that they would believe Alric Rahl, even though he knew that they hadn't. Koto had been cautiously interested in proof, but remained dubious. He reported that most of the other wizards thought Alric was up to some kind of trick, insisting that the only thing a Rahl was interested in was ruling the world. Richard groaned with disappointment when he read how they had sent a message refusing to swear fidelity and bind themselves to Alric.

Annoyed by a persistent sound, Richard turned to look out the window and saw that it was black as pitch outside. He hadn't even realized the sun had set. The candle he seemingly had just lit was half gone. The annoying noise was water dripping from icicles. Spring was taking the bite out of the weather.

Taking his mind off the journal brought back the pang of frantic worry about Kahlan. Every day messengers returned to give reports of nothing found. How could she have vanished?

"Any messengers waiting to see me?"

With a chafed expression, Cara shifted her weight. "Yes," she mocked, "there are several out there, but I told them that you were too busy sweet-talking me to be bothered right now."

Richard sighed. "I'm sorry, Cara. I know you'll tell me if a messenger arrive " He shook a finger at her. "Even if I'm asleep."

She smiled. "Even if you're asleep."

Richard looked around the room and frowned. "What happened to Bcrdine?"

Cara rolled her eyes. "She told you hours ago that she was going to go get some sleep before her watch. You said 'Yes, good night' to her."

Richard looked back to the journal. "Yes, I guess I did." -

He read again a section about how the wizards were becoming fearful that the sliph would bring something through that they wouldn't be able to stop. The war was a frightening mystery to Richard. Each side created things of magic, mostly creatures designed for one purpose, such as the dream walkers, and the other side had to react with a counter to it, if they could. It was appalling to discover that some of these creatures were created out of people — out of wizards themselves. They were that desperate.

Day by day, they became more and more concerned that before the towers could be completed, the sliph — which in itself was created of their magic to allow them to move great distances to attack the enemy and turned out to be a great danger as well as a benefit — would bring something unexpected that they couldn't handle. They said that when the towers were competed, the sliph could go to sleep. Richard wondered constantly what the sliph was and how it could go to "sleep," and how they would wake it later, after the war, as they said they hoped to do.

The wizards decided that because of the danger of attack through the sliph, some of the more important, valuable, or more dangerous things, had to be moved from the Keep for protection. The last of the items deemed most in need of safekeeping had long ago been taken to this haven, and then Kolo said:

Today, one of our most coveted desires, possible only through the brilliant, tireless work of a team of near to one hundred, has been accomplished. The items most feared lost, should we be overrun, have been protected. A cheer went up from all in the Keep when we received word today that we were successful. Some thought it was not be possible, but to the astonishment of ail, it is done: the Temple of the Winds is gone.

Gone? What was the Temple of the Winds, and where did it go? Kolo's journal didn't provide an explanation.

Richard scratched the back of his neck as he yawned. He could hardly keep his eyes open any longer. There was so much more to read, but he needed sleep. He wanted Kahlan back so he could protect her from the dream walker. He wanted to see Zedd so he could tell him about the things he had learned.

Richard rose and shuffled toward the door.

"Going off to bed to dream about me?" Cara asked.

Richard smiled. "Always do. Wake me if — "

"If a messenger comes. Yes, yes, I think you've mentioned it."

Richard nodded and started for the door. Cara caught his arm.

"LordRahl, they will find her. She will be safe. Rest well; D'Harans are looking, and they will not fail."

Richard patted her shoulder as he left. "Til leave the journal here, so when Berdine wakes she can work on it."

He yawned and rubbed his eyes as he went to his room, not far down the hall. He only bothered to pull off his boots and slip the baldric over his head, placing the Sword of Truth on a chair before he fell into the bed, Despite his worry about Kahlan, he was asleep in seconds.

He was having a troubling dream about her when a loud knock woke him. He rolled over onto his back. The door burst open and there was sudden light. He could see Cara carrying a lamp. She moved to the side of his bed, lighting another lamp.

"Lord Rahl, wake up. Wake up."

"I'm awake." He sat up. "What is it? How long have I been asleep?"