Stone of Tears

Looking back at her, he nodded. He went to the far corner and picked up his cloak, bow, and pack. Reaching in, he pulled out the three leather thongs, the one with the Bird Man’s whistle, the one with Scarlet’s tooth, and the one with Denna’s Agiel. As Kahlan watched him hang the three of them around his neck, she wished she had something of her own to give him. She tried desperately to think of something.

As he went past her, she put a hand to his arm and stopped him. “Wait.” Kahlan pulled the knife from his belt. She held out a long lock of her hair and severed it with the knife. She didn’t even think about what she was doing, what happened when Confessors cut their own hair.

With a scream of pain, she found herself on the ground. The magic seared through her, burning every nerve in its passing. She fought to remain conscious as she gulped for air. She struggled against the wrenching pain of it.

She had to remain conscious, or Richard might leave before she could give it to him. She thought of only that, and forced herself to her feet. As she did so, the pain finally abated.

Still panting, Kahlan pulled a small blue ribbon from the waist of the dress, cut it too, and after wrapping the long strand of hair around two fingers, tied it together in the middle with the ribbon. As he watched, she returned the knife to its sheath at his belt and put the lock of hair in his shirt pocket.

“To remind you always that my heart is with you… that I love you.”

Expressionless, he looked at her a long moment. “Find Zedd,” was all he said before turning and going through the doorway.

Kahlan stood, staring at the door after he was gone. She felt numb, empty, lost.

Sister Verna stopped next to her, watching the door with her. That was probably the most courageous act I have ever witnessed,” she said softly. The people of the Midlands are fortunate to have you as their Mother Confessor.”

Kahlan continued to stare at the door. “He thinks I betrayed him.” She turned and looked at the Sister, tears welling up in her eyes. “He thinks I betrayed him.”

The Sister studied her face for a time. “You have not. I promise you that in time I will help him to see the truth of what you have done this day.”

“Please,” she begged, “don’t hurt him.”

Sister Verna clasped her hands in front of herself and took a deep breath. “You have just hurt him to save his life. Would you have me do any less?”

A tear ran down her cheek. “I guess not. And I doubt you could do anything as cruel as what I have just done.”

Sister Verna nodded. “I fear you are right. But I will give you my promise that I will personally watch over him, and see to it that what is done is only what is necessary. I promise you that I will not let it go one inch beyond that. Not one breath. On my word as a Sister of the Light.”

Thank you.” She looked down at the knife in the other’s hand. The sister pushed it back up her sleeve. “You would have killed him. If he said no, you would have killed him.”

She nodded. “If he had said no, the pain and madness at the end would have been grotesque. I would have spared him that. But it doesn’t matter now. You have saved his life. Thank you, Mother Confessor… Kahlan.”

Sister Verna stepped toward the door. “sister? How long? How long will you have him? How long will I have to wait?”

The Sister didn’t turn. “I’m sorry, I can’t say. It takes as long as it takes. Much of it is up to him. It depends on how fast he learns.”

Kahlan smiled for the first time. “I think you will be surprised at how fast Richard learns.”

Sister Verna nodded. That is what I fear most. Knowledge before wisdom. It frightens me more than anything else.”

“I think, too, that Richard’s wisdom may surprise you.”

“I pray you are right. Good-bye, Kahlan. Don’t try to follow, or he will die.”

“Sister, one more thing.” The cold danger in her own voice surprised her. “If you are lying to me about any of it, if you kill him, I will hunt down every Sister of the Light. I will kill every last one. But not before each of you begs endlessly to die.”

The Sister stood still as stone a moment before nodding and then going on her way.

Kahlan followed her out and stood with the people outside as she watched the sister mount her horse. Richard already sat tall on a big bay gelding. His back was to her as he waited.

Kahlan’s heart was breaking. She wanted to see his face one more time, but he didn’t turn as the two of them started away.

Kahlan sank to her knees. “Richard,” she cried. “I love you.”

He seemed not to hear her as he and Sister Verna disappeared into the snowy grasslands. Kahlan sat on the ground, in her wedding dress, her head hanging down, crying. Weselan put an arm around her, comforting her.

Kahlan remembered what he had said: Find Zedd. She forced herself to her feet. The elders were all there. She looked around at them all.

“I must leave at once. I must get to Aydindril. I need some men to go with me, to help me, to be sure I make it.”