Soul of the Fire

"Fine, but I don't want his fighting ability harmed by taking key men," Richard said. "Tell the general I also want him to send detachments to watch the routes north from the Old World he had intended to watch, just in case.

"The most important thing, though, is that I want his main force to turn around and head back this way."

"Is he to be allowed to attack at will?"

"No. I don't want him risking his army against the Order out on these plains. It would be too costly. As good as his men are, they wouldn't stand a chance against a force the size of the Order's until we can get more men down here. More importantly, I don't want him attacking because his greatest value is if Jagang doesn't know Reibisch's force is there.

"I want Reibisch to come west, shadowing Jagang, but staying north and remaining well away. Tell him to use as few scouts as possible-just enough to keep track of the Order, no more. Jagang mustn't know Reibisch's force is there. Those D'Haran men will be all that stands between the Order and the Midlands if Jagang suddenly turns north. Surprise will be his only ally until we can get messengers to bring in more troops.

"I don't want to risk Reibisch's men if it isn't absolutely necessary. But I need him to be the stopgap, if things go wrong.

"If Anderith surrenders, we can combine their army with ours. If we can banish the chimes, have the Anderith army under our command, and get more of our other forces down here in time, we might even be able to trap Jagang's army with the ocean at his back. It might even be possible to then use our forces to drive him into the teeth of the Dominie Dirtch. That weapon could kill without our men losing their lives to do it."

"And in Aydindril?" Cara asked.

"You heard Zedd explain what must be done?"

"Yes. On the fifth column on the left, inside the First Wizard's enclave, sits a black bottle with a gold filigree top. It must be broken with the Sword of Truth. Berdine and I have gone with you to the First Wizard's enclave. I remember well the place."

"Good. You can use the sword to break the bottle as well as I." She nodded. "Just set the bottle on the ground, like Zedd told us, get the sword, and break the bottle."

"I can do that," Cara said.

Richard knew very well how much Cara didn't like to have anything to do with magic. He remembered well, too, how she and Berdine hadn't liked going into the First Wizard's enclave. There was also the matter of the Keep's shields of magic.

"If the magic of the Keep is really down, you won't have any trouble getting through the shields; they will be down, too."

"I remember what they feel like. I will know if they are still alive with magic, or if I can pass."

"Tell Berdine everything you know about the chimes. She may already have valuable information. If nothing else, she has Kolo's journal and with what you tell her she will know what to search for."

Richard held up a finger for emphasis. With his other hand, he gripped her shoulder.

"But before Berdine, the sword and the bottle first. Don't let either sit vincible for one moment longer than necessary.

'The chimes may try to stop you. Be aware of that. Be alert and on guard. Stay away from water and fire as best as you can. Don't take anything for granted. They may know the spell in the bottle can harm them.

"Before you leave, we will talk to Du Chaillu and see if she can shed light on how they seduce a person to their death. If she can remember, that may be valuable in warding the chimes."

Cara nodded. If she was afraid, she didn't show it.

"Once I get to General Reibisch, I will ride like the wind. I will go first to the Keep and get your sword and then break the bottle. After that, I will bring your sword, Berdine, and the book. Where will I find you?"

"In Fairfield," Kahlan said. "Most likely with our troops, not far out of the city, near the Minister of Culture's estate. If we have to depart, we will leave a message for you, or some of our men. If we can't do that, we will try to tell General Reibisch."

Richard hesitated. "Cara… you will need to take the sword from its scabbard to break the bottle."

"Of course."

"But be careful. It's a weapon of magic, and Zedd thinks it will still work-still have magic."

Cara sighed with unpleasant thoughts. "What will it do when I draw it?"

"I don't know for sure," Richard said. "It may react to different people in different ways, depending on what they bring to the completion of the magic. I'm still the Seeker, but it may work for anyone holding it. I just don't know how its magic will affect you.

"But it's a weapon that uses rage. Just be careful, and realize that it will want to draw you out, much as you draw it out. It will foment your emotions, especially your anger."

Cara's blue eyes gleamed. "It will not have to try hard."

Richard smiled. "Just be careful. After you break the bottle, don't take the sword from its scabbard for any reason less than a matter of life or death. If you kill with it…"