Chainfire: Chainfire Trilogy Part 1

"I need help. Neither Nicci nor Cara remembers Kahlan, but they both know the truth of the fact that they don't remember her because of what's in this book, Chainfire, not because she doesn't exist. You all lost something incredibly precious when your memory of Kahlan was taken from you. You lost a value in your lives that you could not begin to replace. You lost one of the best.»

Richard had to stop because he couldn't get the words past the constriction in his throat. Tears dripped from his face onto the table.

Nicci came close and put a hand on his shoulder. "It will be all right, Richard. We'll get her back."

Cara laid a hand on his other shoulder. "That's right, Lord Rahl. We'll get her back."

Richard nodded, unable to speak as his chin trembled.

Zedd rose up. "Richard, I hope you don't think we will fail you again. We won't. You have my word as First Wizard."

"I'd rather have your word as my grandfather."

Zedd smiled through his own tears. "That, too, my boy. That, too."

Nathan shot to his feet. "My sword's in play as well, my boy."

Ann scowled at him. "Your sword is in play? What in the world does that mean?"

"Well, you know," Nathan said, swirling his hand in a display of cut and thrust. "It means I will fight the good fight."

"The good fight? How about if you help us find Kahlan."

"Well, bags, woman.»

Ann shot a look at Zedd. "Did you teach him to talk like that? He never cursed like that before he spent time with you."

Zedd shrugged innocently. "My goodness, no. Not me."

Ann scowled at the wizard on each side of her before looking at Richard and smiling.

"I remember when you were first born, Richard. When you were a bundle of life in your mother's arms. She was so proud of you then just for being able to cry. Well, I guess she'd be pretty proud of you now. We all are, Richard."

Zedd wiped his nose on his sleeve. "How true."

"If you can forgive us," Ann said, "we'd like to be a part of stopping this threat. I, for one, am quite keen to take care of those Sisters."

Nicci squeezed Richard's shoulder. "I think you may have a fight on your hands over that. I think we'd all like to be the one to get at them."

Cara leaned past Richard. "Sure, easy for you to say. You got to kill Sister Tovi."

CHAPTER 67

Richard stood at the crenellation in the rampart, one foot resting on the low stone, gazing out across the sunlit scene of Aydindril down below the mountain, watching the puffy white clouds parade their shadows across the valley.

Zedd came up from behind and stood beside Richard, and for a time also watched out in silence.

"I can't remember Kahlan," he finally said. "Try as I might, I just can't."

"I know," Richard answered without looking over.

"But for her to be your wife, she must be a remarkable woman."

Richard couldn't help smiling. "She is that."

Zedd laid a bony hand on Richard's shoulder. "We'll find her, my boy. I'm going to help you. We're going to find her. I promise you that."

Grinning, Richard put his arm around his grandfather's shoulders. "Thanks, Zedd. I could surely use the help."

Zedd held up a finger. "We'll get started right away."

"Right away would suit me," Richard told him. "I'm going to need to get me a sword, too."

"Ah, well, the sword isn't important. The sword is just a tool. The Seeker is the weapon, and I'd say you are still the Seeker."

"About that, Zedd. You know, I've been thinking, and I've come to believe that maybe Shota wasn't acting selfishly by demanding the sword in exchange for what she told me."

"How do you figure that?"

"Well, the Sword of Truth draws from my gift. When I use my gift, such as that day we were down in the library and I read from a book of prophecy, it has the very real potential to call the beast to me."

Zedd rubbed his smooth chin. "Well, I guess that's true. Maybe in a way that did help to protect you." He scowled at Richard. "But she gave it to Samuel! He's a thief!"

"And what did he steal since he got the sword back?"

Zedd peered at Richard with one eye. "Steal? I don't know. What do you mean?"

"He near to killed a Sister of the Dark and took the box of Orden she had, preventing the Sisters from having all three so that they can invoke the magic of Orden."

Zedd's scowl deepened. "And just what do you suppose that little thief is going to do with the box?"

Richard shrugged. "I don't know, but at least he bought us some time. We can go after him, now, and prevent the Sisters from having all three boxes, at least."

Zedd scratched the hollow of his cheek as he gave Richard a sidelong glance. "Kind of reminds a fellow of the last time, doesn't it — with Darken Rahl having to get the last box."

Richard frowned over at his grandfather. "What are you saying?"

Zedd shrugged. "Nothing. I'm just saying."

"Saying what?"

"Like I said, kind of reminds one of the last time, that's all." Zedd clapped Richard on the shoulder. "Well, come on. Rikka has dinner ready. We'll all get a good meal before we lay out some ideas for how to proceed."

"That sounds great to me."