Temple of the Winds

"The Mother Confessor has always fought for us with the same fierceness. We have always held with the Midlands and with the Mother Confessor, and so we accord your words great weight. With the greatest respect, we heed your counsel to join with D'Hara.

"Our swords are lowered to you and Lord Rahl. The people of Pendisan Reach, both those of simple muscle and bone, and those with magic's talents, wish to be at the van of battle against the horde from beyond the wilds, so that the enemy may have a bitter taste of our ferocity. We will be known to all from this day forward as the D'Harans from Pendisan Reach, if it so pleases you."

Touched by his words, Kahlan bowed her head to him. The people of Pendisan Reach did have a flair for the dramatic, but they were no less wholehearted for it. As small as their land was, they were not to be taken lightly; the ambassador's bold claim of their ferocity was no idle boast. If only their numbers were as great as their fortitude.

"I can't promise you the van. Ambassador Wexler, but we will be honored to have your people with us in our struggle. We will value them regardless of how they serve."

She turned a dispassionate face to the ambassador from Mardovia. The Mardovian people were proud, too, and no less fierce. They had to be for their survival in tough country among the wilds, though they, also, were a small land. "Ambassador Seldon, please come forward and deliver Mardovia's decision." Ambassador Seldon glided forward, wearily eying the others. He bowed from the waist, his white hair falling forward over the gold braiding on the shoulders of his red coat as he did so.

"Mother Confessor. The assembly of seven of Mardovia in our mother city of Renwold has charged me with the duty of the long journey to Aydindril to relay their decision. The assembly of seven has no desire or intention to relinquish rule over our beloved people to outlanders, whether they be from D'Hara or from the Imperial Order.

"Your war with the Imperial Order is not our war. The assembly of seven has ruled that Mardovia will remain sovereign and will remain neutral."

Behind her, in the silence, a soldier coughed. The sound of it echoed around the stone chamber.

"Ambassador Seldon, the land of Mardovia lies among the eastern wilds, not far from the Old World. You will be vulnerable to attack."

"Mother Confessor, the walls surrounding our mother city of Renwold have stood the test of time. As you say, we lie among the people of the wilds. Those people in the past have tried to exterminate us. None ever succeeded in so much as breaching the walls, much less overcoming our stalwart defenders. Instead, the various peoples of the wilds now trade with us, and Renwold is a center of commerce in the eastern wilds of the Midlands, respected by all who once sought to conquer us."

Kahlan leaned forward. "Ambassador, the Order is no tribe from the wilds. They will crush you. Doesn't the assembly of seven have the sense to realize that?"

Ambassador Seldon smiled indulgently. "Mother Confessor, I understand your concern, but as I have said, Renwold's walls have stood us in good stead. Be assured, Renwold will not fall to the Order." His expression hardened. "Nor will it fall to this new alliance you form with D'Hara.

"Numbers do not mean much against a knob of stone in the wilds. Would-be conquerors soon tire of breaking their teeth on so small a morsel. Our small size, our location, and our walls make us less than worth the trouble. Should we join with you, then we would be vulnerable because we would represent resistance.

"Our neutrality is not of hostile intent. We will be willing to trade with your alliance, as we will be willing to trade with the Imperial Order. We wish harm to no one, but we will defend ourselves."

"Ambassador Seldon, your wife and children are in Renwold. Don't you understand the danger to your family?"

"My beloved wife and children are safe behind the walls of Renwold, Mother Confessor. I fear not for them."

"And will your walls stand against magic? The Order uses those with magic! Or are you too drunk with the past to see the threat to your future?"

His face had reddened. "The decision of the assembly of seven is final. We don't fear for our safety. We have people of magic in turn to protect the walls from magic. Neutrality is not a threat. Perhaps you should pray to the good spirits for mercy, since it is you who sues for war. To live by violence is to invite it."

Kahlan drummed her fingernails against the desktop as everyone awaited her words. She knew that even if she could convince this man, it would do no good: the assembly of seven had made its decision, and he could not change it even if he wanted.