Chainfire: Chainfire Trilogy Part 1

The real danger would probably be lo any person foolish enough to handle such treacherous things. I

Verna sighed with relief at seeing the three boxes untouched, right where Richard had said he'd left them. For now, there was no safer place to keep such dangerous magic. Someday, maybe Verna could help find a way to destroy the gateway-if such a thing were even possible-but for now it was safe.

"Thank you, General Trimack. I'm relieved to see that everything is as it should be."

"And it will stay that way," he said as he put his weight against the door, It soundlessly moved closed. "No one is getting in there except Lord Rahl."

Verna smiled at the man. "Good." She glanced around at the magnificent palace around her, the illusion of permanence, peace, and security it exuded. If only it were so. "Well, I'm afraid that we need to be on our way. I have to get back to our forces. I will tell General Meiffert that things here at the palace are well in hand. Let us hope that Lord Rahl will be joining us soon and we can stop the Imperial Order before they ever reach this place. Prophecy says that if he joins us for the final battle, we have a chance to crush the Imperial Order, if not drive them back to the Old World."

The general gave her a grim nod. "May the good spirits be with you, Prelate."

With Berdine at her side, Verna made her way back out of the restricted area and away from the Garden of Life. As they once again descended the stairs, she was relieved to be on her way back to the army, even if she was worried over their mission. She realized that since coming to the palace she felt more of a sense of commitment, and more of a sense of connection to what had became the D'Haran empire under Richard. Even more than that, she seemed to care more about life.

But if they didn't find Richard and get him to lead their forces in the battle they would face when they finally met the Imperial Order, then the mission to stop Jagang's army was suicide.

"Prelate?" Berdine said as she pushed closed the door with a snake carved on it.

Verna paused and waited as the woman tapped the palm of her hand on the top of the bronze skull door handle.

"What is it, Berdine?"

"I think I should stay here."

"Stay?" Verna met the Mord-Sith's gaze. "But why?"

"If Ann finds Lord Rahl and takes him to the army, he will have you and a number of other Mord-Sith who are there to protect him-and he will be where you say he needs to be. But maybe she won't find him."

"She must. Richard is also aware of the weight of prophecy and he knows that he must be there at the final battle. Even if Ann doesn't find him, I have faith that he will come to join us."

Berdine shrugged with the difficulty of trying to find the right words. "Maybe. But maybe not. Verna, I've spent a lot of time with him. He doesn't think like that. Prophecy doesn't mean as much to him as it does to you."

Verna heaved a sigh. "You said a mouthful, Berdine."

"This is Lord Rahl's home, even if he never really lived here except as a captive. Even so, he has come to care about us as his people, and his friends. I've spent time with him; I know how much he cares about us and I know that he is aware of how much we all care about him. Maybe he will feel a need to come home.

"If he does, I think I should be here for him. He depends on me to help him with books, with translations-at least, I like to believe he does. He makes me feel important to him, anyway. I don't know, I just think I should remain at the palace in case he comes here. If he does, he will need to know that you are desperately trying to find him. He will need to know of the impending final battle."

"Does your bond tell you where he is?"

Berdine gestured west. "Somewhere in that direction, but very distant."

"The general said the same thing. That can only mean that Richard is at least in the New World again." Verna found reason to smile. "At long last. That much is good to know."

"The closer those with the bond are to him, the better able they will be to help you find him."

Verna considered it a moment. "Well, I will miss your company, Berdine, but I guess you must do as you see fit and I have to admit that what you say does make some sense. The more places we watch for him lo show up, the better our chances of finding him in time."

"I really think it's right for me to stay here. Besides, I want to study some of the books and try to match up some of what Kolo says. There are a few things bothering me. Maybe if I work it out, I can even help Lord Rahl to win that final battle."

Verna nodded with a sad smile. "See me out?"

"Of course."

Both turned to the sound of footsteps. It was another Mord-Sith, in red leather. She was blond, and taller than Berdine. Her piercing blue eyes took Verna in with the kind of measured calculation that betrayed utter, fearless confidence.

"Nyda!" Berdine called.