Soul of the Fire

Zedd shook his head in frustration. "This is without precedent. I can't predict the exact sequences, but I'm sure all will fail. We need you to stay at the Keep and protect it as you planned. Ann and I will follow after this business is finished. We're counting on you. Can you do that for me, my boy?"

Richard, his eyes glistening, nodded. He took up his grandfather's hand. "Of course. You can count on me."

"Promise me, Richard. Promise me you will go to the Keep."

"I promise."

"If you don't," Ann warned in a low voice, "Zedd's optimism about his being fine may prove… flawed."

Zedd's brow tightened. "Ann, you are making it sound-"

"If I am not telling the truth, then call me a liar."

Zedd rested the back of his wrist over his eyes and remained silent. Ann tilted her head back enough to meet Richard's gaze.

"Am I making myself clear?"

He swallowed. "Yes, ma'am."

Zedd reached out for the comfort of Richard's hand. "This is important, Richard, but don't break your neck getting there?"

Richard smiled. "I understand. A swift journey, not impetuous reckless haste, is more likely to get you to your destination."

Zedd managed a low chuckle. "So you did listen when you were younger."

"Always."

"Then listen now." The sticklike finger once more lifted from his slack fist. "You must not use fire, if you can avoid it at all. The Lurk could find you by fire."

"How?"

"We believe the spell can seek by fire's light. It was sent for you, so it can search for you with fire. Keep away from fire.

"Water, too. If you must ford a river, use a bridge if at all possible, even if you must go days out of your way. Cross streams on a log, or swing over on a rope, or jump, if you can."

"You mean to say we risk ending up like Juni, if we go near water?"

Zedd nodded. "I'm sorry to make it more difficult for you, but this is perilous business. The Lurk is trying to get you. You will only be safe-all of us will only be safe-if you can get to the Keep and break that bottle before the Lurk finds you."

Undaunted, Richard smiled. We'll save time-not having to gather firewood or bathe."

Zedd again let out the breathy little chuckle. "Safe journey, Richard. And you, too, Cara. Watch over Richard." His sticklike fingers gripped Kahlan's hand. "And you too, my new granddaughter. I love you dearly. Keep each other safe and well. I will see you when we reach Aydindril, and we will have the joy of each other's company again. Wait at the Keep for us."

Kahlan gathered up his bony hand in both of hers as she sniffled back the tears. "We will. We'll be there waiting for you. We'll be a family together, again, when you get there."

"Safe journey, all," Ann said. "May the good spirits be with you always. Our faith and prayers will be with you, too."

Richard nodded his thanks and started to rise, but then paused. He seemed to consider something for a moment. He spoke at last in a soft voice.

"Zedd, all the time I was growing up, I never knew you were my grandfather. I know you did that to protect me, but… I never knew." He fidgeted with a piece of grass sticking out of the pallet. "I never got a chance to hear about my mother's mother. She almost never spoke of her mother- just a word here and there. I never learned about my grandmother. Your wife."

Zedd turned his face away as a tear rolled down his cheek. He cleared his throat. "Erilyn was… a wonderful woman. Like you have a wonderful wife now, so I once did, too.

"Erilyn was captured by the enemy, by a quad sent by your other grandfather, Panis Rahl, when your mother was very young. Your mother saw it all-what they did to her mother…. Erilyn only lived long enough for me to find her. She was already at the brink of death, but I tried to heal her. My magic activated a sinister spell the enemy had hidden in her. My healing touch was what killed her. Because of what she saw, your mother found it painful to speak of Erilyn."

After an uncomfortable moment, Zedd toned back to them and smiled with a memory of genuine joy. "She was beautiful, with gray eyes, like your mother. Like you. She was as smart as you, and she liked to laugh. You should know that. She liked to laugh."

Richard smiled. He cleared his throat to find his voice.

"Then she surely married the right person."

Zedd nodded. "She did. Now, gather your things and be on your way to Aydindril so we can get our magic back to right.

"When we finally join you in Aydindril, I will tell you all the things about Erilyn-your grandmother-that I never could before." He smiled a grandfather's smile. "We will talk of family."

CHAPTER 12

"Fetch! Here, Boy! Fetch!"

The men laughed. The women giggled. Fitch wished his face wouldn't always go as red as his hair when Master Drummond mocked him with that epithet. He left the scrub brush in the crusty cauldron and scurried to see what the kitchen master wanted.