Temple of the Winds

"My mother's father." Richard idly stroked a finger along the raised gold wire spelling out the word TRUTH On the hilt of his sword. "One of the greatest men I've ever had the honor of knowing. My mother died when I was young, and my father-the man I thought was my father-was often gone on his business as a trader. Zedd practically raised me. I guess I'm more Zedd than anyone else."

Zedd had the gift. Richard had inherited the gift not only from Darken Rahl, but also from Zedd, from his mother's side as well as his father's. From both bloodlines. Richard found comfort in knowing that the gift of a good man flowed in his veins, and not just that of Darken Rahl. "Is he still living?"

Richard looked away from Drefan's blue. Darken Rahl eyes. "I believe he is. I don't think anyone else does, but I do. Sometimes I feel like if I don't believe, then he will be dead."

Drefan laid a hand on Richard's shoulder. "Then keep believing; you may be right. You're fortunate to have a family. I know, because I don't." "You do now, Drefan. You have a brother, at least, and soon a sister-in-law." "Thanks, Richard. That means a lot to me."

"How about you? I hear you have half the women in the palace chasing after you. Any of them special?"

Drefan smiled distantly. "Girls, that's all. Girls who think they know what they want and are impressed by foolish things that shouldn't matter. I see them all batting their eyelashes at you, too. Some people are drawn to power. People like my mother." "Me! You're seeing things."

Drefan turned serious. "Kahlan is beautiful. You're a fortunate man to have a woman of such substance and noble character. A woman like that only comes along once in a lifetime, and then only if the good spirits smile on you."

"I know. I'm the luckiest man alive." Richard stared off. thinking about the prophecy, and the things he had read in Kolo's journal. "Life wouldn't be worth living without her."

Drefan laughed and slapped Richard on the back. "If you weren't my brother, and a good one besides. I'd steal her from you and have her for myself. On second thought, you'd better be careful, I may yet decide to have her." Richard smiled with him. "I'll be careful."

Drefan pointed an admonishing finger at Richard. "You treat her right." "I'd not know how lo do otherwise." Richard swept a hand out, indicating the small, simple room, and changed the subject. "What are you still doing here? We can find you better quarters than this."

Drefan gazed about at his room. "This is a king's room compared to my quarters at home. We live simply. This room is almost more ostentation than I can bear." His brow drew down. "It isn't what kind of house you have that matters. This is not happiness. It's what kind of mind you have, and how you care for your fellow man-what you can do to help others who can be helped by no one else."

Richard adjusted the bands at his wrists. They made him sweat under the leather pads. "You're right, Drefan."

He hadn't even realized it, but he had come to be used to his surroundings. Since he had left Hartland, he had seen many splendid places. His own home, back in Hartland, wasn't nearly as nice as this plain room, and he had been happy there. He had been happy being a woods guide.

But, as Drefan said, a person had to help others who could be helped in no other way. He was stuck with being Lord Rahl. Kahlan was the balance. Now, all he had to do was find the Temple of the Winds before he lost it all.

At least he had a woman he loved more than he would ever have thought possible, and now, too, he had a brother. "Drefan, do you know the meaning of Raug'Moss?" "I was taught that it's old High D'Haran, meaning 'Divine Wind. " "Do you know High D'Haran?"

Drefan brushed back his tumbled-down blond hair. "Just that word." "I hear that you're their leader. You've done well for yourself to become the leader of a community of healers."

"It's the only life I've ever known. Being the High Priest, though, mostly means that they have someone to blame when things go wrong. If someone we try to help doesn't gel better, the healers point in my direction and say, 'He is our leader. Talk to him. Being High Priest means I have to read the reports and records, and try to explain to distraught relatives that we are only healers, and we can't revoke the Keeper's call. Sounds more impressive than it is, really."

"I'm sure you exaggerate. I'm proud that you've done well. What are the Raug'Moss? Where do they come from?"

"Legend has it that the Raug'Moss were founded thousands of years ago by wizards whose gift was for healing. The gift began dying out in the race of man, and wizards, especially ones gifted for healing, became more and more rare."