Soul of the Fire

It had apparently taken Cara some time to locate General Reibisch's forces and send an escort of troops. Richard, Kahlan, and the Baka Tau Mana had been on foot, slogging through late-spring deluges, for far too long. They hadn't made a lot of distance on foot before the D'Haran troops finally arrived with horses.

Du Chaillu had also slowed their journey, although not purposely. She endlessly protested that riding would harm her baby before it was born-the baby Richard had suggested she bear. Because of her unborn child, Richard was reluctant to force her to ride.

He hadn't wanted her along in the first place. After the D'Haran troops had arrived with supplies and extra horses she refused to return home, as she had previously promised she would.

To her credit, she never complained about the difficulty of the journey. But when Richard made her ride, it put her in a vile mood.

Kahlan, at first cool about having the Baka Tau Mana's spirit woman along, had warmed to the situation ever since the day Richard fell from his horse. Kahlan credited Du Chaillu with saving his life. Richard appreciated Du Chaillu's eagerness to help, but didn't believe it was her doing that kept him alive.,

He wasn't at all sure what had happened. Since seeing the Dominie Dirtch, and hearing how they had chimed on their own at the same time he felt the crippling pain, he knew the whole thing had to be tied together somehow, and he didn't believe Du Chaillu held much sway over it. This was something much bigger than she realized, — and more complex than Richard could understand.

Richard hadn't slowed for anything since he saw the Dominie Dutch, even her pregnant condition. Since being close to those stone bells and feeling some of what he felt, she had been more cooperative about his hurry.

Richard lifted a hand when he spotted the rider trailing a plume of dust. He could hear orders being relayed back through the ranks in response to his signal, bringing the entire column to a jangling halt. Only when it had stopped, in the sudden silence, did he realize how much noise it made when they were on the move.

"This will be our greeting," Kahlan said.

"How far to the Minister's estate?" Richard asked.

"Not far. We're more than halfway from Fairfield. Maybe a mile."

Richard and Kahlan dismounted to meet the approaching rider. A soldier took the reins to Kahlan's horse. Richard handed his back to the man, too, and then stepped away from the others. Kahlan alone walked with him. He had to signal with a hand to keep the soldiers from forming a defensive ring around them.

The young man leaped from his horse before it had skidded to a stop. Holding the reins in one hand, he went to a knee in a bow. Kahlan greeted him in the way of the Mother Confessor and he rose. He wore livery of black boots, dark trousers, white shirt with a fancy collar and cuffs, and tan quilted doublet with black and brown braiding around the edges. The man bowed a head of red hair to Richard. "Lord Rahl?"

"Yes, that's right."

He straightened. "I'm Rowley. The Minister of Culture sent me to greet you and extend his joy to have you and the Mother Confessor grace the people of Anderith with your presence."

"I'm sure," Richard said.

Kahlan elbowed his ribs. "Thank you, Rowley. We will need a place for our men to set up camp."

"Yes, Mother Confessor. The Minister wanted me to tell you that you're welcome to choose any ground in our land. If it would be acceptable, you may have the grounds at the estate for your use."

Richard didn't like that idea at all. He didn't want the men confined in such a way. He wanted them to be close, but able to set up a proper defensive position. Despite what anyone else thought, he had to treat this as being potentially hostile territory.

He gestured to the wheat field. "What about here? We will of course reimburse the landowner for the crops we ruin."

Rowley bowed. "If it pleases you, Lord Rahl. The Minister wished the choice to be yours. The land is Anderith common ground, and the crops excess, of no real value or concern.

"After you see to your escort, at your convenience, the Minister wishes to invite you to dinner. He asked me to relay his eagerness to meet you, and to see the Mother Confessor again."

"We don't-"

Kahlan elbowed him again. "We would be happy to join Minister Chanboor for dinner. Please ask him, though, to understand that we have been riding hard, and are tired. We would appreciate it if he kept the dinner small, no more than three courses."

Rowley was clearly not prepared for this request, but promised to relay it at once.

Once the man was riding back, Du Chaillu stepped up.

"You need a bath," she announced to Richard. "Jiaan says there is a pond not far over this hill. Come, we will bathe."

Kahlan's brow tightened. Du Chaillu smiled sweetly.