Naked Empire

Nathan joined Richard at the door. "Ann and I will go with you. We might be able to help rescue Kahlan from the Slide. While we travel the two of us can work on a solution for untangling your gift."

Richard gripped Nathan's shoulder. "There are no horses in this land.

If you can run and keep up with us, you're welcome, but I can't afford to slow for you. I don't have much time, and neither does Kahlan. Nicholas will not likely hold her there long. After he pauses for rest and supplies and then leaves this land, it will be even more difficult to find him. We have no time to lose. We're going to have to travel as swiftly as possible."

Nathan's eyes turned down in disappointment.

Ann drew Richard into a brief hug. "We're far too old to keep up the speed afoot that you and these young people can. When you get her away from the Slide, come back and we'll do our best to help you. We'll work on the problem while you're getting her out of his clutches. Come back then, and we'll have a solution."

Richard knew that he would never live that long, but there was no point in saying it. "All right. What can you tell me about a Slide?"

Nathan drew his thumb along his jaw as he considered the question.

"Slides are soul stealers. There is no defense against them. Even I would be powerless to stop them."

Richard didn't suppose that needed any explanation. "Cara, Jennsen, Tom, you can come with me."

"What about us?" Owen asked.

Anson stood close by, looking eager to be included, and nodded at Owen's suggestion. There were others as well, who had stood vigil outside the place where Nathan had tried to help Richard. They were all men who had fought hard. If he was to get Kahlan back, he would likely need some men, at least.

"Your help would be welcome. I think most of the men should stay here with Nathan and Ann. The people here in Hawton need to have you men explain everything to them-help them to understand all that you've learned. They will need to make some changes to adjust to interacting with the world out there now open to them."

As Richard started away, Nathan grabbed ahold of his sleeve. "Richard, as far as I know, you have no defense against a soul stealer, but there is one thing I recall from an old tome in the vaults in the Palace of the Prophets."

"I'm listening."

"They somehow travel outside their body… send their own spirit out."

Richard rubbed his fingertips across his brow as he thought about Nathan's words. "That has to be how he was watching me, tracking me. I believe he watched me through the eyes of huge birds that live here, called black-tipped races. If what you're saying is right, then maybe he leaves his body in order to do this." Richard looked up at Nathan. "How does this help me?"

Nathan leaned closer, cocking his head to peer with one azure eye.

"That is when they are vulnerable-when they are out of their body."

Richard lifted his sword a few inches in the scabbard to be sure it was clear. "Any idea how to catch him outside of his body?" He let the sword drop back.

Nathan straightened. "Afraid not."

Richard nodded his thanks anyway and stepped down out of the doorway.

"Owen, how far is this fortified encampment?"

"Back close to where the path used to go out through the boundary."

That was why Richard hadn't seen it; they had come on the ancient route used by Kaja-Rang. Ordinarily, it would be a journey of well over a week.

They didn't have nearly that long.

He took in all the faces watching him. "Nicholas has quite a head start on us and he will be in a hurry to escape with his prize. If we travel swiftly and don't stop long to rest, there's a good chance we can still catch up with him by the time he reaches their encampment. We need to be on our way at once."

"We're only waiting for you, Lord Rahl," Cara said.

So was Kahlan.

CHAPTER 61

Each day of hard travel, Richard's condition worsened, but his fear for Kahlan drove him relentlessly onward. Most of the time, hour after hour, through sunlight, darkness, and occasional rain, they ran at a steady lope.

Richard used a staff he'd cut himself to help keep his balance. When he thought he would be unable to go on, Richard deliberately picked up the pace to remind himself that he could not give up. They stopped at night only long enough to get a few hours' sleep.

The men had trouble keeping up with him. Cara and Jennsen didn't; they were both used to strenuous exertion in the course of difficult journeys.

All of them, though, were so exhausted from the unrelenting pace that they talked only when necessary. Richard drove himself doggedly, trying not to think about his own hopeless condition. It didn't matter. He reminded himself that with every step they ran, if it was fast enough, they were gaining on Nicholas and just that much closer to Kahlan.

In moments of despair, Richard told himself that Kahlan had to be alive, that Nicholas could have killed her long ago if that was his intention. He wouldn't have run if she were dead. Kahlan would be much more valuable to him alive.