Blood of the Fold

"But surely, Lord Rahl, you must have heard the rumors of her escape?"

"I have heard no such rumors. And did you know the Mother Confessor?"

Brogan let an agreeable smile come to his lips. “Oh, yes, Lord Rahl. Quite well, in fact She visited Nicobarese on any number of occasions, as we be a valued member of the Midlands."

"Really?" Lord Rani's face was unreadable as he looked down from behind the desk. "What did she look like?"

"She was… well, she had…" Tobias frowned. He had met her but, strangely, he suddenly realized he couldn't recall what she looked like. "Well, she is difficult to describe, and I am not good with that sort of thing."

"What was her name?"

"Her name?"

"Yes, her name. You said you knew her well. What was her name?"

"Well, it was…"

Tobias frowned again. How could this be? He was chasing a woman who was the scourge of the pious, the symbol of the magic's suppression of the devout, a woman he hungered to judge and punish more than any of the Keeper's other disciples, and suddenly he couldn't remember what she looked like, or even her name. Confusion tumbled through his thoughts as he struggled to bring her looks to mind.

Suddenly, it came to him: the death spell. Lunetta had said that in order for it to work he probably wouldn't recognize her. It hadn't occurred to him that the spell would erase even her name, but that had to be the explanation.

Tobias shrugged as he smiled. "I'm sorry, Lord Rahl, but with the things you had to say tonight my mind seems to be in a scramble." He chuckled as he tapped the side of his forehead. "I guess I'm getting old and addled. Forgive me."

"You abduct people off the street to question them about the Mother Confessor because you are hoping to find her alive so you can protect her, yet you can't recall what she looks like, or even her name? I hope you can appreciate, General, that from my side of the desk, 'addled' would be a lenient representation, I must insist that, like her name, you forget this foolish, ill-advised quest and put your mind to the matter of the future of your people."

Brogan could feel his cheek twitch as he spread his hands again. "But Lord Rahl, don't you see? If the Mother Confessor were to be discovered alive, then it would be a great aid to you in your efforts. If she lives, and you could convince her of your sincerity and the necessity of your plan, she would be an invaluable aid to you. If she went along with your demands, then it would cany great weight with the people of the Midlands. Despite what it would appear because of the unfortunate actions of the council, which in all honesty set my blood to boiling, many in the Midlands greatly respect her, and would be swayed by her endorsement. It might even be possible, and a great coup, if you were to convince her to many you."

"I am committed to wed the queen of Galea."

"Even so, if she were alive, she could help you." Brogan stroked the scar at the side of his mouth as he fixed his eyes on the man behind the desk. “Do you think it possible, Lord Rahl, that she be alive?"

“I was not here at the time, but I am told that perhaps thousands of people saw her beheaded. They think she is dead. While I admit that were she alive she would be an invaluable help as my ally, that is not the point. The point is, are you able to offer me one good reason why all those people are wrong?"

"Well, no, but I think — "

Lord Rah] slammed a fist to the desk. Even the two huge guards jumped. "I've had enough of this! Do you think I am stupid enough to be diverted from the cause of peace by this speculation? Do you think I will grant you some special privilege because you would think to offer me suggestions to win over the people of the Midlands? I told you, there are no special favors! You will be treated the same as every other land!"

Tobias licked his lips. "Of course, Lord Rahl. That wasn't my intention — "

"If you continue on with this quest to find a woman whom thousands saw beheaded, at the expense of your charge to chart the future course of your land, then you are going to end up on the point of my sword."

Tobias bowed. "Of course, Lord Rahl. We will leave at once for our homeland with your message."

"You are doing no such thing. You are going to remain right here,"

"But, I must deliver your message to the king."

"Your king is dead." Lord Rahl cocked an eyebrow. "Or did you mean that you were going to go chasing his shadow, too, in the belief that he might be hiding out with the Mother Confessor?"

Lunetta chuckled. Brogan darted her a glance and the laugh cut off abruptly. Brogan realized his smile had vanished. He managed to bring a hint of it back.

"A new king will no doubt be named. That is the way of our land: to be led by a king. It was to him, the new king, that I was going to take the message, Lord Rahl."

"Since any king that was named would no doubt be your puppet, the journey is unnecessary. You will remain at your palace until you decide to accept my terms, and surrender."