Confessor: Chainfire Trilogy Part 3

Ordinarily, women behaving in such a manner among the men of the Order would not be free for long, but the soldiers were far more interested in the game on the field. The conduct of the women only added to the debauched atmosphere. It was all part of Ja'La dh Jin.

When Nicci slipped close enough, Jillian reached out and touched her hand. "Are you all right?" she whispered just loud enough to be heard over the noise of the crowd. "We were so worried for you."

Cupping the girl's cheek, Nicci smiled briefly as she nodded in answer.

"He's up to something," Nicci said under her breath as she leaned a little closer to Kahlan.

"I know."

"This may be a chance for you to escape. I'll do all I can to help you. Be ready."

With the collar around her neck Kahlan didn't know what chance she could possibly have to escape. She was heartened by the sentiment, though, even if she thought it was completely unrealistic. While Kahlan didn't believe that she had any real chance of escape, it might be an opportunity for something else, something that could save others.

When Nicci glanced over again, Kahlan lifted out her hand just a little, hiding what was underneath, in her palm.

"Here. Take this."

When Nicci only frowned, Kahlan turned the hand over briefly, just long enough for Nicci to see the handle of the knife. The blade was pressed up along Kahlan's wrist, under the sleeve of her shirt.

"Keep it," Nicci said. "You may need it."

"I still have two."

Nicci stared for a moment in surprise, then tilted her head, indicating that Kahlan should give the knife to Jillian. Jillian pulled her cloak open just enough to show Nicci the knife Kahlan had already given her.

Nicci looked up at Kahlan. "Knives are not my talent."

"It's not hard," Kahlan said as she pressed the handle into Nicci's hand. "When the time is right, just stick the pointed end somewhere important in someone you really don't like."

Nicci's blue eyes stole a glance at Jagang. "I think I can do that much."

Kahlan thought that Nicci, standing there in the soft torchlight, her blond hair tumbled down over her strong shoulders, was probably the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. It wasn't just that she was beautiful, though. Despite what Jagang did to her, she remained undaunted. There was an inner strength about her, a nobility.

"Is he Richard Rahl?" Kahlan asked.

Nicci's blue eyes turned back to Kahlan and stared for a moment.

"Yes."

"What's he doing here?"

The slightest smile curved Nicci's mouth. "He's Richard Rahl."

"Do you know what he's up to?"

Nicci shook her head the slightest bit as her gaze swept over all the guards, checking to make sure none were paying any attention to either of them. Through gaps they could see men painted with wild red designs race past.

"That's really Richard out there?" Jillian asked.

Nicci nodded.

"How can you tell? I mean, with the paint all over them, how can you be sure? I know Richard and I can't tell."

Nicci glanced down at Jillian. "It's him."

Her tone was of such calm certainty that it left no reason to question. Kahlan thought that Nicci would probably be able to recognize the man in total darkness.

"How does he know me?" she asked.

Nicci again stared into Kahlan's eyes for a long moment. "This is not the place for a conversation. Just be ready."

"For what?" Kahlan asked. "What do you think he's going to do? What do you think he can do?"

"If I know Richard, I expect that he's about to start a war."

Kahlan blinked in surprise. "All by himself?"

"If he has to."

Out on the field, the emperor's team scored a point just before the horn blew, signaling the end of their turn. The crowd went crazy. Kahlan winced at the roar. The level of noise was withering.

Richard's team was now behind by one point.

Waiting for the men to take their place and the horn to start the play for Richard's team, the entire crowd started in chanting in a deep, harsh, rhythmic grunt. The horde stamped a boot between each of those grunts.

Who-ah. Thump. Who-ah. Thump. Who-ah. Thump.

It seemed like the whole world moved with each of those Who-ahs. The ground shook with each thump. Even Jagang and his royal guards joined in. It gave the night an eerie, savage, primeval feel, as if everything civilized had been abandoned to the spectacle of raw savagery.

The supporters of the emperor's team wanted the men to rip the challengers apart rather than let them score. The supporters of Richard's team wanted their men to crush those trying to stop them.

The chanting was a call for blood.

With only one timed turn left, Richard's team had to score during this play or they would lose. If they scored only one point during their time at play, though, the game would be tied and go into overtime.

Kahlan caught glimpses of Richard, showing no emotion, as he gathered with his men. He gave them a brief, covert hand signal. As he turned, his gaze swept past. For an instant, their eyes met.

The power in that connection made Kahlan's heart pound and her knees weak.