Faith of the Fallen

"Here, in Anderith, was the turning point in our struggle. Richard Rahl was at last cast out by the people themselves, who came to see the virtue of what we offer. No longer can he claim to represent them."

"Yet you came in and slaughtered-"

"The leaders here betrayed certain promises to me-who knows how much of the general population may have collaborated in that-and so the people had to pay a puce, but collectively they have also earned a place in the Order for their courage In emphatically rejecting Lord Rahl and the outdated, selfish, uninspired morals he offered them.

"The tide has turned. People no longer have faith in Lord Rahl, nor can he now have any faith in them. Richard Rahl is a fallen leader."

Nicci smiled inwardly, a sad smile. She was a fallen woman, and Richard was a fallen man. Their fate was sealed.

"Perhaps here, in this one small place," she said, "but he is far from defeated. He is still dangerous. After all, you failed to gain everything you sought here in Anderith because of Richard Rahl. He not only denied you a clear victory by destroying vast stores of supplies and leaving the systems and services of production in total disarray, but he also slipped right through your fingers when you should have captured him."

"I will have him!"

"Really? I wonder." She watched his fist, and waited until it relaxed before she continued. "When will you move our forces north, into the Midlands?"

Jagang stroked his hand down his woolly chest. "Soon. I want to give them time to become careless, first. When they grow complacent, I will strike north.

"A great leader must read the nature of the battle, to be able to adjust his tactics. We will be liberators, now, as we move north into the Midlands, bringing the Creator's glory to the people. We must win the hearts and minds of the unconverted."

"You have decided this change? On your own? You do not consider the will of the Creator in your campaign?"

He glared at her insolence, as if to tell her she knew better than to even ask such a question.

"I am the emperor; I need not consult our spiritual guides, but since their. counsel is always welcome, I've already talked to the priests.

They've spoken favorably about my plans. Brother Narev thinks it wise and has given his blessing. You had better keep to your job of extinguishing any ideas of opposition. If you don't follow my orders, well, no one will miss one Sister. I have others."

She was not moved by his threats, real as they were. By his suspicious look, he was beginning to understand her vision, too.

"What you are doing is fitting," she said, "but it must be cut up into little pieces the people can chew. They do not have the Order's wisdom in seeing what is best for them-the public rarely does. Even one as bullheaded as you must be able to see that I have anticipated your plans by helping those you can't afford to kill to understand that you are sparing them out of your sense of justice. Word of such deeds will win hearts."

He cast her a sidelong glance. "I am the Order's cleansing fire. The fire is a necessary conflagration, but not the important end-it is merely the means to the end. From the ashes I, Jagang, create, new order can sprout and grow. It is this end, this glorious new age of man, that warrants the means. In this, it is my responsibility not yours-to decide justice, when and how I will dispense it, and who will receive it."

She grew impatient with his vanity. Scorn seeped into her voice. "I have simply put a name to it-Jagang the Just-and begun to spread your new title for you when the opportunity arose. I sacrificed Kadar to that end, for all the same reasons you've listed. It had to be done now in order for it to have the necessary time to spread and flourish, or the New World would soon harden irreversibly against the Order. I chose the time and place, and by using Kadar Kardeef's life-a war hero's life-proved your devotion to the cause of the Order above all else. You benefit.

"Any brute could ignite the conflagration; this new title shows your moral vision-another manifestation of worth over other men. I have planted the vital seed that will make you a hero to the common people and, even more important, to the priests. Are you going to pretend you think the title inadequate? Or that it will not serve you well?

"What I alone have done will help win what your powerful army cannot: willing allegiance without a battle, at a cost of nothing. With Kadar's life, I, Nicci, have made you more than you could make of yourself. I, Nicci, have given you the reputation of honor. I, Nicci, have made you into a leader people will trust because they believe you to be just."

He brooded for a time, turning his gaze from her hot glare. His arm finally fell own and his fingers tenderly trailed down her thigh. The touch was an admission for him-an admission that she was right, even if he would not say the words.