Soul of the Fire

There were people caught up in the passion of the words, no doubt, but for the most part the crowd silently watched, judging if their own lives would be altered by what they heard. Most people weighed matters on a scale, with their life on one side, and the events before them on the other side. Most people were satisfied with the way things were, so only if the events on the other side of the scale threatened to outweigh or change their lives did they become concerned.

Dalton was not pleased. These people, while agreeing, did not see the events on the other side of the scales as much affecting their life. Dalton knew they had a problem. The message was getting out, but it was falling on little more than indifferent ears. "He is making a lot of good points," Teresa said. Dalton hugged her shoulders. "Yes, he is."

"I think the man is right. The poor Hakens will only be hurt if we don't continue to see to their well-being. They aren't prepared to handle the cruelty of life on their own."

Dalton's gaze moved among the people standing like statues as they watched the Director pour out his passion.

"Yes, darling, you're right. We must do more to help the people."

Dalton realized, then, what was missing, and what he 'must do.

CHAPTER 56

"No," Richard said to Du Chaillu.

She folded her arms in smoldering anger. The way her big round belly stuck out made her pose look almost humorous.

Richard leaned toward her and lowered his voice. "Du Chaillu, can't you understand I would like to be alone with my-with Kahlan, for just a little while? Please?"

Du Chaillu's anger faltered. Her frown melted.

"Oh, I see. You want to be intimate with your other wife. This is good. It has been a long time."

"That's not-" Richard put his fists on his hips. "And just how would you know, anyway?"

She didn't answer his question, but smiled. "Well, all right then. If you promise not to take too long."

He wanted to say it would take as long as it took, but he feared what her answer might be. Richard straightened and said simply, "We promise."

Captain Meiffert, a big, blond-headed D'Haran officer in charge of the troops sent to escort Richard and Kahlan to Anderith, didn't like the idea of them being alone any more than did Du Chaillu, but he was more circumspect in expressing his objections. General Reibisch had apparently told the man he could speak his mind to the Lord Rahl, if it was an important matter, without fear of punishment.

"Lord Rahl, we would be too far away to respond should you need us…. To help protect the Mother Confessor," he added as an afterthought, thinking it might sway Richard's decision.

"Thank you, Captain. There is only this one trail up there. Since no one knew where we were headed, no one could be lying in wait. It isn't far and we won't be gone long. You and your men will patrol down here while Kahlan and I go have a look."

"Yes, sir," Captain Meiffert said in resignation. He immediately began issuing orders to his men, spreading them out at stations and sending some on scout.

Richard turned to the two messengers who had come from General Reibisch. "Tell the general I'm pleased with the speed he's making, and I'm pleased to know he believes he can make it before Jagang's forces arrive. Tell him the same orders he already has are still in effect; I want him to stand off."

Nearly every day messengers came and went, entering past different Dominie Dirtch at the border so as to be less noticed. Richard had given General Reibisch orders to stay well to the north, well beyond Jagang's screen of scouts, sentries, and spies. If it came to a fight, surprise was one of the most valuable elements the D'Haran army could possess. The general agreed with that much of it, but was loath to leave Richard with only a thousand men in potentially hostile territory.

Richard had explained, in the letters he'd written the man, that while he understood the general's concern, they needed to keep his force hidden until and unless they were called. Richard had explained in gruesome detail the horrific and futile death awaiting them at the border if the army tried to breach the Dominie Dirtch. Until they, won the agreement of the Anderith people, they dared not approach their border in force.

Moreover, Richard didn't trust Minister Chanboor. The man's tongue was too smooth. Truth didn't wear a tongue smooth; lies did.

The Dominie Dirtch were a spider's web waiting to claim the careless. The look of easy conquest could be a trap to lure the D'Haran force to their death. More than anything, Richard feared all those brave young men being slaughtered before the Dominie Dirtch. Especially when he knew such sacrifice could accomplish nothing. They would die and the Dominie Dirtch would still stand untouched.

General Reibisch had written back, promising Richard that, once they were in place to the north, they would charge south without pause should Richard call upon them, but he promised to stay put until called.