Stone of Tears

“I will carry it with pride, Mother Confessor. Thank you for everything you have taught us. When you first found us, we were boys. Thank you for making us into men. You have taught us not only to fight better but, more importantly, what it means to be soldiers, and to be protectors of the Midlands.”

He took the hilt in his fist and held the sword skyward as he turned to his men.

“Three cheers for the Mother Confessor!”

As she listened to the three wild cheers, Kahlan realized that in all her life she had never heard anyone cheer the Mother Confessor before. She had to strain to keep her surprise from showing. She lifted a kiss on her fingers and thanked them all.

“Captain Ryan, I wish to take Nick, and I will need two other horses, also.”

Chandalen lurched forward. “Now, why do you need horses!”

She lifted an eyebrow to him. “Chandalen, I have an arrow wound in my leg. I can hardly stand, much less walk. I need to ride, if I’m to get to Aydindril. I hope you do not think me weak because of it.”

His brow knotted up. “Well, no. Of course you cannot be expected to walk.” His eyes turned angry again. “But why do you want two other horses?”

“If I ride, you must, too.”

“Chandalen does not need to ride! I am strong!”

She leaned close and spoke in his tongue. “Chandalen, I know the Mud People do not ride horses. I would not expect you would know how. I will teach you. You will do fine. When you return to your people, you will have a new skill that none of them have. They will be impressed. The women will see that you are brave.”

He grunted suspiciously as he scowled. Then why do we need the third horse?”

“We’re taking Orsk.”

“What!”

Kahlan shrugged. “You can’t draw a bow until your arm recovers. How will you protect me? Orsk can wield an axe with his one good arm, and you can throw a spear with yours.”

He rolled his eyes. “I am not going to be able to talk you out of this, am I?”

“No,” she said with a small smile. “Now, we better get our things and be on our way.”

Kahlan surveyed the men one last time. Her men. She gave them a salute of her fist to her heart. They all silently returned the salute. She had lost much with these men. She had gained much. Take care. Each and every one of you.”

Chapter 48

“So, when are we going to meet your people, the ones who will guide Sister Verna and me to the palace?”

Du Chaillu glanced back over her shoulder, pulling her mass of black hair out of the way to peer at him. She was leading her horse. Richard had grown tired of her complaints, and when she finally refused to ride any longer, he decided not to make an issue of it and let her walk. Richard had decided to walk for a while himself. Sister Verna rode behind them, watching Du Chaillu like an owl from atop her horse.

“Soon.” Her cool, distant expression disturbed him. “Very soon.”

Her attitude had slowly changed since they had left the Majendie land, as they went deeper into hers. She was no longer chatty and open, but had grown haughty and distant. Sister Verna rarely took her eyes from Du Chaillu, and Du Chaillu, in turn, didn’t miss a move the Sister made. They were like two cats with their fur standing on end, silent and still, but ready to spring. It wouldn’t have surprised him if soon he saw their teeth bared.

Richard had the feeling the two of them were constantly testing each other, but in ways he couldn’t see. By the Sister’s attitude, he didn’t think she was pleased about what she was discovering. Richard could tell, from experience, when the Sister was touching her Han. He recognized the shroud of it in her eyes. She was touching it now.

In the gathering darkness, Du Chaillu turned abruptly from the wide forest trail, leading them on a narrow path through the thick, tangled growth. Dark water holding dense thickets of reeds and broad-leafed plants with pink and yellow trumpet-shaped flowers lurked to the sides. Richard’s eyes scanned the shadows among the trees.

Du Chaillu came to a halt at the edge of a sandy, open area. She lifted the reins of her horse to Richard. The others will join us in this place. Wait here, magic man.”

The term she used to address him lifted his hackles. He took the reins. “Richard. My name is Richard. I’m the one who saved your neck. Remember?”

Du Chaillu looked at him thoughtfully. “Please don’t ever think I do not appreciate what you have done for me, for my people. Your kindness will be always in my heart.” Her eyes seemed to go out of focus, and her voice softened with regret. “But you are still a magic man.” Her back straightened. “Wait here.”

She turned and disappeared into the forest around the clearing. Richard stood watching her vanish as Sister Verna dismounted. She took the reins to all three horses.

“She is going to try to kill you now,” she said, as if telling him that she thought it would rain tomorrow.

Richard glared at her. “I saved her life.”

Sister Verna started leading the horses to the trees. “You are a magic man to these people. They kill magic men.”