Faith of the Fallen

Ann tapped her waist. "I have a journey book. I used it to communicate with Verna, back with our forces. Verna told me about the messengers coming to see you. That's how 1 knew where to find you. Lucky I came as soon as I did; we nearly missed you. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you have recovered, Kahlan. We were so worried."

Kahlan saw that Cara, standing behind the two women, still had her Agiel clenched in her fist. Kahlan didn't need an Agiel; her Confessor's power boiled but an impulse away. She wouldn't again make an error for the sake of caution.

"The journey book. Of course. Then Verna would have told you about Richard's vision that he must not lead our troops against the Order."

Ann nodded reluctantly, apparently not eager to discuss such a vision.

"Then, a few days ago, Verna sent a message when we were almost here, that the D'Harans are in quite a state because they suddenly lost their sense of direction to Richard. She said they are still protected from the dream walker by the bond to their Lord Rahl, but they suddenly lost their sense of where he is."

"Nicci cloaked his bond from us," Cara said in a growl.

"Well, we have to find him," Ann said. "We have to get him away from Nicci. He's our only chance. Whatever he's thinking, it's nonsense and we will have to set him straight, but first we must get him back. He has to lead our forces against the Imperial Order. He is the one named in prophecy."

"That's why you're here," Kahlan whispered to herself. "You heard from Verna about his declining to lead the army or even to give orders. You journeyed here in hopes of forcing him to fight."

"He must," Ann insisted.

"He must not," Kahlan said. "He has come to realize that if he leads us into battle, we will lose the cause of liberty for generations to come. He said he came to realize that people don't yet understand freedom and won't fight for it."

"He must simply prove himself to the people." Ann's scowl reddened. "He must prove himself their leader, which he has already begun to do, and they will follow him."

"Richard says that he has come to understand that it is not he who must prove himself to the people, but the people who must now prove themselves to him."

Ann blinked in astonishment. "Why, that's nonsense."

"Is it?"

"Of course it is. The boy was named in prophecy centuries ago. I've been waiting hundreds of years for him to be born in order for him to lead us in this struggle."

"Really. Then who are you to try to countermand Richard's decision-if you are so set on following him? He has come to his decision. If he is the leader you want, then you must abide by his lead, and therefore his decision."

"But this is not what prophecy demands!"

"Richard doesn't believe in prophecy. He believes we make our own destiny. I'm coming to see the grounds of his assertion that the belief in prophecy artificially alters events. It is the misplaced faith in prophecy itself-in some mystical outcome-that harms people's lives."

Ann's eyes grew round with dismay, and then narrowed. "Richard is the one named in prophecy to lead us against the Imperial Order. This is a struggle for the very existence of magic in this world-don't you understand that! Richard was born to fight this fight. We have to get him back!"

"This is all your fault," Kahlan whispered.

"What?" Ann's frown changed to a tolerant smile. "Kahlan, what are you talking about?" Her voice backslid to genial. "You know me, you know our struggle for the survival of freedom of magic. If Richard does not lead us, we have no chance."

Kahlan threw her arm out and seized a startled Sister Alessandra by the throat. The woman's eyes went wide.

"Don't move," Kahlan said through gritted teeth, "or I will unleash my Confessor's power."

Ann held her hands up, imploring. "Kahlan, have you lost your mind? Let her be. Calm down."

With her other hand, Kahlan pointed down at the fire. "The journey book. Throw it in the fire."

"What? I'm not going to do any such thing!"

"Now," Kahlan said through her clenched teeth. "Or Sister Alessandra will be mine. When I finish with her, Cara will see to it you throw that journey book in the fire, if you have to do so with broken fingers."

Ann glanced at the Mord-Sith towering over her shoulder.

"Kahlan, I know you're upset, and I completely understand, but we're on the same side in this. We love Richard, too. We, too, wish to stop the Imperial Order from taking the whole world. We-"

"We? If it wasn't for you and your Sisters, none of this would be happening. This is all your fault. Not Jagang's fault, not the Imperial Order's fault, but yours."

"Have you lost your-"

"You alone bear responsibility for what is befalling the world. Just as Jagang has his ring through the lip of his slaves, you've had yours through the nose of yours-Richard! You alone bear responsibility for the lives already lost, and those yet to be lost in bloody slaughters that will sweep across the land. You, not Jagang, are the one who has brought it!"