Blood of the Fold

At the door with the bolt held on with the intricate web, Verna and Simona worked their Han together. The web had been set by three Sisters, and though Verna had that much power, it would still be a challenge to undo it. With Simona's added help, the web slipped away easily.

The two guards outside the door started in surprise when they saw the filthy prisoners. Pikes came down.

Verna recognized one of the guards. "Walsh, you know me, now raise that pike."

"I know you've been convicted of being a Sister of the Dark."

"I know you don't believe that."

The point was menacingly close to her face. "What makes you think so?"

"Because if it were true, I would have simply killed you in order to escape."

He was silent for a moment as he considered. "Keep talking."

"We are at war. The emperor wishes to put the world under his fist. He uses the true Sisters of the Dark, like Leoma, and the new Prelate, Ulicia. You know them, and you know me. Who do you believe?"

"Well… I'm not so sure."

"Then let me put it in terms that make it clear. You remember Richard?

"Of course. He's a friend."

"Richard is at war with the Imperial Order. The time is upon you to choose sides. You must decide your loyalty, right now, right here. Richard, or the Order."

His lips pressed together as he fought a mental battle. Finally, the butt of his pike thumped to the floor. "Richard."

The other guard's eyes shifted between Walsh and Verna. His pike suddenly thrust forward with the cry, "The Order!"

Vema already had a firm grip on her Han. Before the blade touched her, the man was blown back with such force that when he hit the wall, his head split open. He toppled to the floor, dead.

"I guess I chose right," Walsh said.

"You did indeed. We must get the true Sisters of the Light, and the loyal young wizards, and we must be away from here at once. There isn't a moment to waste."

"Let's go," Walsh said, holding his pike out, pointing the way.

Outside, in the warm night air, a thin figure sat on a bench nearby. When she recognized them, she sprang up.

"Prelate!" she whispered with tearful joy.

Verna hugged Millie so tight the old woman squeaked for release. "Oh, Prelate, forgive the hateful things I said. I didn't mean a word of it, I swear."

Verna, nearly in tears, squeezed the woman again, and then kissed her forehead a dozen times. "Oh, Millie, thank you. You are the Creator's best work. I will never forget what you've done for me, for the Sisters of the Light. Millie, we must escape. The emperor is going to take the palace. Will you come with us, please, so you will be safe?"

Millie shrugged. "Me? An old woman? On the run from cutthroat Sisters of the Dark and magic monsters?"

"Yes. Please?"

Millie grinned in the moonlight. "Sounds more fun than scrubbing floors and emptying chamber pots."

"All right, all of you listen then, we…"

A tall shadow stepped out from behind the corner of the building. Everyone fell still and silent as the figure approached.

"Well, Verna, it looks as if you found your way out. I thought you might." She stepped close, where they could see her. It was Sister Philippa, Verna's other advisor. She kissed her ring finger. Philippa's narrow mouth spread in a smile. "Thank the Creator. Welcome back, Prelate."

"Philippa, we must get the Sisters away tonight, before Jagang gets here, or we will be captured and used."

"What are we to do, Prelate?" Sister Philippa asked.

"All of you, listen carefully, now. We must hurry, and we must be more than careful. If we are caught, we will all be in collars."

Richard was winded from his run from the Hagen Woods, so he slowed to a trot to catch his breath. He saw Sisters prowling the grounds of the palace, but they didn't see him. Though he was shrouded in the mriswith cape, he couldn't search the entire palace; it would take days. He had to find out where Kahlan, Zedd, and Gratch were being held so he could get back to Aydindril. Zedd would know what to do.

Zedd would probably furiously upbraid him for his stupidity, but Richard deserved it. His stomach was in a knot thinking about the trouble he had caused. He could not even credit his wits for his foolhardy actions not ending in his being killed. How many lives had he put in jeopardy by his reckless actions?

Kahlan was probably going to be more than furious with him. And why not?

Richard shuddered to think why the mriswith went to Aydindril. He felt a pang of dread for his friends there. Maybe the mriswith only wanted to establish a new home, like the Hagen Woods here, and would stay there and keep to themselves. An inner voice laughed at his wishful thinking. He had to get back there.

Stop thinking about the problem, he reprimanded himself. Think about the solution.

He would get his friends out of here first, and then he would worry about the rest.