Confessor: Chainfire Trilogy Part 3

"In some ways, since prophecy can be self-healing, any attempt to influence events is ultimately futile. And yet, at the same time, prophecy is intended to be used, intended to spur action, otherwise what would be its purpose? Any intervention in events, though, is a dangerous thing to do. The trick is knowing when and where to act. It's an imprecise discipline, even for a prophet."

"Perhaps because we are so painfully aware of our own well-intentioned mistakes," Ann said, "you can see why we would be so distraught that you would take it upon yourself to make such a choice for Richard-a central figure in prophecy-as to name him a player for the power of Orden. We know the magnitude of harm that can result by interfering with even relatively minor issues in prophecy. The boxes of Orden are a determinative node, just about as far from a minor element within prophecy as one can get."

Nicci hadn't meant it the way it had come out. She never thought of herself as free of fault-quite the opposite. Her whole life she had felt inferior, if not outright evil. Her mother, Brother Narev, and later Emperor Jagang had always told her as much, constantly driving into her how inadequate she was. It was just that it had been surprising to learn that the Prelate could be so . . . human.

Nicci's gaze fell away. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded. I just never thought you made mistakes."

"While I do not agree with your characterization of events that have spanned five centuries and countless years of toil and effort," Ann said, "I'm afraid that we all make mistakes. One of the things that defines our character is how we handle our mistakes. If we lie about having made a mistake, then it can't be corrected and it festers. On the other hand, if we give up just because we made a mistake, even a big mistake, none of us would get far in life.

"As to your version of our interaction with prophecy, there are many factors you've not taken into account, to say nothing of those elements of which you are ignorant. You are connecting events in ways that are simplistic, if not entirely inaccurate. The assumptions made on the basis of those connections take great leaps over intervening circumstances."

When Nathan cleared his throat, Ann went on. "That is not to say, however, that we haven't at times misjudged things. We have made mistakes. Some of our errors involve events you have just pointed out. We are trying to correct them."

"So," Cara asked, somewhat impatiently, "what about this prophecy of no prophecy, the Great Void? You claim that we need to insure that Lord Rahl fights the final battle because prophecy says he must, and yet at the same time part of the prophecy says that prophecy itself is blank? That makes no sense-by prophecy's own admission, part of the prophecy in question is missing."

Ann pursed her lips. "Now even Mord-Sith have become experts on prophecy?"

Nathan looked back over his shoulder at Cara. "It's not so easy to understand the context of events as they relate to prophecy. Prophecy and free will, you see, exist in tension, in opposition. Yet, they interact. Prophecy is magic and all magic needs balance. The balance to prophecy, the balance that allows prophecy to exist, is free will."

"Oh, that makes a lot of sense," Cara sniped from the doorway. "If what you're saying is true, that would mean that they cancel each other out."

The prophet held up a finger. "Ah, but they don't. They are interdependent and yet they are antithetical. Just as Additive and Subtractive Magic are opposite forces, they both exist. They each serve to balance the other. Creation and destruction, life and death. Magic must have balance to function. So must the magic of prophecy. Prophecy functions by the presence of its counter: free will. That's one of the major difficulties we've had in the whole matter-understanding the interplay between prophecy and free will."

Cara's nose wrinkled. "You're a prophet, and you believe in free will? Now, that makes no sense."

"Does death invalidate life? No, it defines it, and in so doing creates its value."

Cara didn't look at all convinced. "I don't see how free will can even manage to exist within prophecy."

Nathan shrugged. "Richard is a perfect example. He ignores prophecy and balances it at the same time."

"He ignores me, too, and when he does he always gets in trouble."

"We have something in common," Ann said.

Cara let out a sigh. "Well anyway, Nicci got it right. And I don't think it was prophecy, but her free will that brought her to do the reasoned thing. That's why Lord Rahl trusts her."

"I don't disagree," Nathan said with a shrug. "As nervous as it makes me, we sometimes must let Richard do as he thinks best. Perhaps that is ultimately what Nicci has done-given him the tools to have the freedom to truly exercise his free will."

Nicci wasn't really listening anymore. Her mind was elsewhere. She abruptly turned to Nathan.

"I need to see Panis Rahl's tomb. I think I know why it's melting."