Chainfire: Chainfire Trilogy Part 1

He hated to admit it to himself, but he knew that Zedd was capable of such a thing. After giving Richard the Sword of Truth, when they were on their way to try to recover the boxes of Orden that Darken Rahl had put into play, Zedd had once said that so many lives were at stake that he would not hesitate to kill even Richard, if necessary, to save all those innocent people. He had told Richard how, to be the Seeker and carry the Sword of Truth, he had to be ready to be just as committed to their cause, that he had to understand the larger picture.

It was hardly out of the question to imagine Zedd now being willing to use magic to try to erase Richard's memory of Kahlan-a memory that Zedd thought was a sickness that was harming him and their cause and thereby endangering the lives of millions.

"I think you're right," Richard admitted in a dejected voice. "They will try to stop me." He picked up the two small books lying on the table and slipped them into a back pocket. "I think we had better get out of here before they can do that."

"We? You want me to go with you?"

Richard paused and shrugged self-consciously. "Nicci, you and Cara are the only true friends I have right now. You've been there to help me when I needed it most. I can't afford to leave valued friends behind just when I'm beginning to figure out what's going on. Once I do have it figured out I may need your help with it, but even if I don't I'd like you there with me just for the advice and support you give me.

"I mean, if you're willing to come. I'd not force you, of course, but I'd like you to come."

Nicci smiled that rare smile she had, the smile that revealed the nobility of the woman Nicci really was, the smile he had only seen since she had come to love life.

CHAPTER 59

Cara stood impatiently waiting on the other side of the shield. Rikka, standing guard near the iron door, was watching out into the tower room. Both turned when they saw the red glow and heard Richard coming. He saw packs and other gear collected into a neat pile just inside the door. He pulled his pack out from among the others and stuffed the two books inside.

"We're leaving, then?" Cara asked.

Richard put his arms through the straps and hiked the pack up onto his back. "Yes, and I think we best not waste any time."

As he picked up his bow and quiver, everyone else started gathering their own things.

It appeared that Cara, wanting Nicci to be near Richard so that she would be handy to help protect him, had brought the sorceress's things along as well. Richard wondered how much of wanting Nicci along had to do with what Shota had said.

He saw that Rikka, too, had a pack. He almost asked her what she thought she was doing, but realized then that she was Mord-Sith and she would say that her place was with him. He had spent so much time with only Cara protecting him that he thought it would feel a bit odd having more than one Mord-Sith around again.

"Everyone ready?" he asked as he saw them all tightening straps and buckles.

After each woman nodded, Richard led the grim-faced group out the doorway. He knew that Cara might have followed him without question, but she wouldn't blindly follow Nicci or anyone else's orders without good reason, so he suspected that Cara had probably asked a lot of pointed questions-something Mord-Sith were wont to do-and found out why they had to leave.

At the base of the tower, Richard ran his hand along the iron railing as he started around the walkway, but then a sudden realization brought him to a halt. Everyone waited, watching him, wondering why he had stopped.

Richard looked at Nicci's puzzled blue eyes. "They're not going to trust you in this."

"What do you mean?" Nicci asked.

"It's too important. They aren't going to leave it to you to do as they instructed. They will be concerned that you'll lose your courage, or that you might fail and allow me to slip away."

Cara stepped closer. "You mean you think they will come looking for you?"

"No, not looking for me," Richard said, "but I bet that somewhere between here and the way out of the Keep they will be lying in wait, just in case I get past Nicci and try to leave. If we come upon them unexpectedly then it will be too late."

"Lord Rahl," Rikka said, "Mistress Cara and I would not allow anyone to harm you."

Richard lifted an eyebrow. "I'd just as soon not have it come to that. Those three think they need to help me. They aren't intent on harming me-at least not intentionally. I don't want you two to hurt them."

"But if they surprise us with the intent of using their magic on you, you can't expect us to let them do it," Cara said.

Richard met her gaze for a moment. "Like I said, I don't want it to come to that."