Confessor: Chainfire Trilogy Part 3

The thing that kept him conscious, though, kept his mind focused, was his seething rage at those who through the self-justification of their own twisted beliefs harmed others who didn't think as they did.

In that moment as his blinding rage at all those who existed to hate and hurt others again flowed through that integral connection with his gift, he heard a metallic pop.

Nicci gasped.

Richard, almost unaware of what was happening, realized that her arms were around him, and she was gasping to catch her breath.

"Lord Rahl," Cara said, shaking him, "look! The collar came off! And the gold ring that was in her lip is gone."

Richard backed away to peer down into Nicci's blue eyes. She was staring up at him. The Rada'Han had burst apart and was lying broken behind her neck.

"Your gift is back," Nicci whispered, barely conscious. "I can sense it."

He knew without doubt that it was true. His gift had inexplicably returned.

He noticed a forest of legs as he glanced around. Men of the First File, weapons in hand, had surrounded him. Ulic and Egan stood between them and Richard. Between Ulic and Egan was a wall of red leather.

Richard realized that when the burning pain of it had exploded through him he had screamed. They had probably thought he was being murdered.

"Richard," Nicci said, drawing his attention. Her voice was little more than a weak whisper. "Are you out of your mind?"

She had to force her eyes open several times. Her brow was beaded with sweat. Richard knew that she was spent from the ordeal and needed time to rest if she was to fully recover. Still, it was profoundly heartening to see the life in her eyes again.

"What do you mean?"

"Why in the world would you paint those symbols in red all over yourself?"

Cara glanced over at him. "I like the look."

Berdine nodded from above. "Me too. Kind of reminds me of our red leather, but without the leather."

"It's a good look for him," Nyda agreed.

Even through her exhaustion, Nicci's expression revealed that she was not amused. "Where did you ever learn to do that? Do you have any idea of the danger those symbols represent?"

Richard shrugged. "Of course. Why do you think I painted them?"

Nicci sagged back, looking too weak to argue. "Listen to me," she said. "If I don't... if anything . . . listen-you can't tell Kahlan about the two of you."

Richard frowned as he leaned close, trying to hear her clearly. "What are you talking about?"

"It needs a sterile field. If anything happens to me, if I don't make it, you need to know. You can't tell her about the two of you. If you tell Kahlan about her past with you, it won't work."

"What won't work?"

"Orden. If you ever get the chance to invoke the power of Orden, it needs a sterile field to work. That means that Kahlan can't have foreknowledge about the love between the two of you or the memories can't be rebuilt. If you tell her, she will be forever lost to you."

Richard nodded, not sure what she was talking about, but greatly concerned nonetheless. He feared that Nicci might be delirious from the ordeal of the collar. She wasn't really making any sense, but he knew that it was not the time or place to get into it. He needed her fully recovered and thinking clearly, first.

"Are you listening?" she asked, her eyes sliding closed as she struggled to remain conscious.

Richard wasn't sure if he had actually gotten the collar off in time. He knew that, at the least, she was not yet herself.

"Yes, all right. I'm listening. Sterile field. Got it. Now, just relax until we can get you to a place where you can rest. Then you can explain it all to me. You're safe, now."

Richard stood as Cara and Berdine helped Nicci up.

"She needs a quiet place where she can rest," he told them.

Berdine put an arm around Nicci's waist. "I'll see to it, Lord Rahl."

It had been quite a while since he'd heard himself referred to as "Lord Rahl." The thought struck him that Nathan might be a little resentful of suddenly being displaced as the Lord Rahl. This had not been the first time that he'd been pressed into service as the Lord Rahl, protector of the bond, only to have Richard return to reclaim the title.

Before he could really think about it, he heard an odd noise. It soundec like something crackling, possibly burning, followed by a thump. As the men around him parted to let Richard and Nicci through, he saw a mar-moving toward them.

At second glance, Richard wasn't sure what he was seeing. It seemed like a soldier of the First File, but then again it didn't. The uniform looked somehow indistinct.

General Trimack, concerned with helping Richard, extended an arm. easing some of his men back out of the way to let Richard get past. Richard, though, had paused. He was looking at the soldier not too far away making his way through the carnage.

The man didn't have a face.