Confessor: Chainfire Trilogy Part 3

"Isn't right?" In exasperation, Nathan put his hands on his hips. "Isn't right in what way?"

"The stone down here all has veining in it." Cara turned and pointed out various patterns on the wall behind her. "See? All the people on the crypt staff recognize the veining. They keep track of where they are down here by those unique patterns."

Nathan peered closely at the veining.

"It's a language of symbols," Cara added.

Nathan looked away from the veining and back at Cara. "That makes sense. Go on."

"In that corridor there, down a ways, is a slab of marble wall that belongs somewhere else."

Nathan's suspicion returned as he viewed her askance, as if playing along but not liking it one bit. "So, where does it belong, then?"

"That's just it," Cara said. "They can't find the hall where it belongs. Near as I can understand, what they're trying to tell me is that there is a corridor missing."

"Missing?" Nathan heaved a deep sigh. He scratched his head as he glanced around. "Where could a corridor be hiding?"

Cara leaned toward him just a little. "Behind that piece of marble."

He stared at her silently as he looked to be thinking it through.

"So we want you to use your gift and see if you can sense anyone behind that wall," Verna said.

Concern etched Nathan's Rahl features as he glanced around at all the faces watching him. "Someone hiding behind the wall?"

Cara nodded. "That's right. Someone hiding behind the wall."

Nathan ran his hand over the back of his neck as he looked down the corridor toward the intersection. "Well, as crazy as that theory sounds at least it's simple enough to test." He flicked a hand, indicating General Trimack standing beside him. "And you think the First File might be necessary?"

Cara shrugged. "Depends on if there is anything unpleasant on the other side of the wall."

The general was looking not just concerned, but alarmed. He was responsible for guarding the palace and everyone in it-especially the Lord Rahl. He was dead serious about his job.

The general waggled a hand in the direction of the suspected trouble "And you think there is?"

Cara didn't shy from the general's formidable stare. "Nicci and Anne disappeared somewhere down here."

The scar running down the side of the man's face stood out white. He hooked his thumbs behind his weapon belt as he turned to the side. One of his men rushed forward to take his orders.

"I want all of you to stay close, but be very quiet."

The officer nodded and then trotted silently back to the other men to relay the orders.

"Just who do you think it is that could be hiding behind the wall?" the general asked as he looked between all the women.

"Don't look at me," Verna said. "I'm concerned, but I can't imagine who or what could be there, if anyone. I don't know that I believe any of this, but at the Palace of the Prophets I knew people on the staff who would pick up on the strangest things, things that no one else had been aware of. I have no idea what this is about, but I don't dismiss the worries of people who know this place better than I."

"That makes sense," the general said.

Nathan started out. "Let's go have a look, then."

As she followed behind, Verna was relieved that she'd been able to convince Nathan of the seriousness of the matter. She didn't necessarily believe it herself, but she wanted to support Cara. Cara was the sort of person who deserved to be given the benefit of the doubt. The Mord-Sith had been frantic with worry for Nicci. She hadn't slept much recently. As far as Cara was concerned, Nicci was not just a friend, but a link to finding Richard.

They all moved as silently as possible. Cara led the way, with Nathan following. Verna stayed back a little with Berdine and Nyda. General Trimack, with his large force of men, brought up the rear.

Around the corner and down the suspect corridor, a few torches farther down hissed and sputtered. One of them appeared to be about spent. The staff, though, had been kept away. The general signaled his men. Half a dozen of them collected torches from back up the hall and brought them along.

Cara snapped her fingers to get the general's attention. She motioned for half the men to go past and guard the corridor from the other side. She apparently wanted the place sealed off. Cara sent some of the other Mord-Sith with the soldiers.

At the marble wall Cara traced a finger along the lines of the face in the stone. By now, even Verna recognized that particular face.

"They say that this face doesn't belong here," Cara whispered when Nathan leaned close to her.

Nathan nodded and then stood up straight. He waved a hand, urging Cara to stay back out of his way.