Soul of the Fire

"Richard, when we were at that place where Kahlan told me she was with child…" The words "with child" jolted him anew, as he realized that Kahlan was going to have a child, and he never knew, and now it had already died."… Westbrook… Richard, listen to me. When we were there, the people said there was terrible wind, and rain, and fire that destroyed almost everything of that man." "Yes, I believe it was the chimes." "They hated him.. You must have that same hate in your heart for the chimes so that you may vanquish them. Then you can have your magic back and heal Kahlan."

Richard's mind was racing. The chimes hated Joseph Ander. Why? Not because the man had sent them back-he didn't do that. He had instead enslaved the chimes to serve him. The Dominie Dirtch were somehow connected to what he did.

When Richard and Kahlan freed the chimes, they took their vengeance on certain of his possessions. But why the things at Westbrook, and not those in the library at the Minister's estate?

Joseph Ander's words rang in his head.

In the end, I have concluded I must reject the Creator and the Keeper both. I instead create my own solution, my own rebirth and death, and in so doing will always protect my people. And so farewell, for I shall lay my soul on troubled waters, and thus watch over for all time that which I have so carefully wrought, and which is now safeguarded and inviolate.

Troubled waters.

Richard finally understood what Joseph Ander had done.

"I have to go. Du Chaillu, I have to go." Richard seized her by the shoulders. "Please, keep her alive until I get back. You must!"

"Richard, we will do our best. You have my word as your wife."

"Edwin!"

The man came shuffling down the hall. "Yes, Richard. What can I do? Name it."

"Can you hide these people here? My wife-" Richard had to swallow to keep control. "Can you keep Kahlan here? And Du Chaillu, and her five men?"

Edwin swept his arm in a wide arc, indicating his home. "It's a big house. A lot of room. No one will know who is here. I keep few friends, and the ones I have I would trust with my life."

Richard shook the man's hand. "Thank you, Edwin. In return, I would ask you to leave your home when I come back."

"What? Why?"

"The Imperial Order is coming."

"But aren't you going to stop them?"

Richard threw up his hands. "How? More to the point, why? These people have rejected the chance I've given them. Edwin, they murdered your wife just as they tried to murder mine. And you would have me risk the lives of good people to preserve their well-being?"

Edwin sagged. "No, I suppose not. There are some of us who were on your side, Richard. Some of us tried."

"I know. That is why I'm giving you warning. Tell your friends to get out while they can. I'm sending my men out today. The Imperial Order will be here within two weeks."

"How long will you be gone?"

"Maybe eight days-at the most. I have to get up to the wasteland above the Nareef Valley."

"Nasty place."

Richard nodded. "You've no idea."

"We will care for the Mother Confessor as well as anyone can."

"Do you have barrels, Edwin?"

The man frowned. "Yes, down in the cellar."

"Fill them with water. Collect food now. In a few days the water and anything growing may not be safe."

"Why would that be?"

Richard ground his teeth. "Jagang is coming here for food. I'm going to give him a bellyache, at least."

"Richard," Du Chaillu said in a soft voice, meeting his gaze. "I'm not sure… do you want to see her before you go?"

Richard steeled himself. "Yes. Please."

Richard galloped his horse the whole way back to the encampment. He could get a fresh horse there, so he didn't spare the poor animal. It looked.to him as he rode in that Captain Meiffert had the troops at a high state of alert. Sentries were doubled, and posted farther out than usual. They had no doubt heard from the Baka Tau Mana that there had been trouble.

Richard hoped the man wouldn't ask about Kahlan. He didn't think he could hold himself together if he had to tell him about her, if he had to describe the sight of her in that bed.

Even knowing it was her, Richard had hardly recognized her.

It was a sight beyond horror. It broke his heart. He had never felt so alone in the world, nor known such anguish.

Instead of falling to pieces, Richard struggled to put his mind to the task at hand. He had to put Kahlan out of his mind, if he was to help her. He knew that was impossible, but he tried to keep his thoughts on Joseph Ander and what must be done.

He needed to be able to heal her. He would do anything to remedy her suffering. Thankfully, she wasn't conscious.

Richard thought he knew what Joseph Ander had done, but he didn't have the slightest idea of what he might do to counter it. He figured he had several days until he got there to think about it.