Soul of the Fire

"Over fifty thousand men of the Order participated in slaughtering the innocent people of Ebinissia," Kahlan said in a coldly powerful voice. "I led the troops who hunted them down. We killed every last man who had been in on the butchery in Ebinissia."

Kahlan leaned toward the Minister. "Many wept for mercy. I have declared, as Mother Confessor, no mercy for the Order. That includes any who side with them. We killed every last one of those men, Minister Chanboor. Every last one."

The frightful chill of her words stunned everyone at the table into silence. Dalton, Campbell's wife, Teresa looked as though she might run from the table.

"Your only salvation," Richard finally said, "is to join with us. Together, we are forming a formidable force capable of turning back the Imperial Order and preserving peace and freedom in the New World."

Minister Chanboor finally spoke. "As I said, if it were my choice, I would agree to join you, as would my wife, as would Dalton. The problem is, Emperor Jagang has made generous offers to people here, offers of peace and-"

Kahlan shot to her feet. "What! You have been talking to those murderers!"

Some of the people around the room paused in their conversations to glance up at the head table. Some, Richard had noticed, had never taken their eyes off the Minister and his guests.

The Minister, for the first time, seemed undaunted. "When your land is threatened with extinction by opposing forces, neither of which were invited to demand our surrender, it is our duty as leaders and advisors to listen to what each side has to say. We wish no war, but war is being thrust upon us. It is incumbent on us to hear what our choices might be. You cannot fault us for listening to our options."

"Freedom or slavery," Richard said, standing beside his wife.

The Minister stood up, too. "Listening to what people have to say is not considered an offense, here in Anderith. We don't attack people before they make threats. The Imperial Order implored us not to listen to what you have to say, but here you are. We offer people the opportunity to speak."

Richard's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. He expected to feel the raised letters made of gold wire, the letters spelling out the word "Truth." He was momentarily surprised to find them missing.

"And what lies did the Order tell you, Minister?"

Minister Chanboor shrugged. "As I said, we like your offer better."

He held his hand out in invitation. Reluctantly, Richard and Kahlan returned to their seats.

"I must tell you right up front, Minister," Richard said, "whatever it is you want, we'll not give it to you. Don't even bother listing to us your conditions. As we've explained to your representatives back in Aydindril, we have made the same offer to all the lands. In order to be fair to all, there can be no exceptions, and no special accommodations for some."

"We ask for none," Minister Chanboor said.

When Kahlan touched Richard's back, he recognized it as a signal to take a breath and keep hold of his temper. He took the deep breath and reminded himself of their purpose. Kahlan was right. He had to think, and not just react.

"All right, Minister, what is the problem keeping you from accepting our terms of surrender?"

"Well, as I said, if it were up to me and-"

"What is the problem?" Richard's tone was deadly, deep breath or not.

He was already considering his troops, less than a mile away. The guards at the estate would present little opposition for such elite D'Haran soldiers. It was not an option he wished to fall back on, but he might be forced to it. They couldn't let the Minister-inadvertently or otherwise- interfere with stopping Jagang.

The Minister cleared his throat. Everyone else at the table was rigid, almost afraid to move, as if they could read Richard's thoughts in his eyes.

"This affects everyone in our land. You are asking us to forsake our culture, as is the Imperial Order-although with you it would be less of a change and we would be able to retain some of our ways.

"This is not something I can impose on our people. It must be up to them."

Richard's brow twitched. "What? What do you mean?"

"I can't dictate such a thing to our people. They will have to decide for themselves what to do."

Richard lifted a hand. He let it fall back to the table. "But, how can they do that?"

The Minister wet his lips. 'They will all decide what shall be the fate of all by their vote."

"Their what?" Kahlan asked.

"Their vote. They must each be given the opportunity to state their wishes in this."

"No," Kahlan said flatly.

The Minister spread his hands. "But, Mother Confessor, you say this is about the freedom of our people. How can you insist I impose such a thing on them without their say?"

"No," Kahlan repeated.