Temple of the Winds

A leather-clad figure in the distance wandered toward them across the black-and-white marble squares. Someone else approached from the right side, from the guest rooms. Richard slowed to a stop and turned.

"Ulic, would you please go find General Kerson. He might be at the D'Haran headquarters. Does anyone know where General Baldwin is?"

"He's probably at Kelton's palace, on Kings Row," Kahlan said. "He's been staying there since he arrived and helped us defeat the Blood of the Fold."

Richard nodded wearily. Kahlan didn't think she had ever seen him looking worse. His spiritless eyes stared out from an ashen face. He swayed on his feet as he squinted, looking for Egan not ten feet away.

"Egan, there you are. Go get General Baldwin, please. I don't know where he is, but you can ask around."

Egan cast a quick, uneasy glance toward Kahlan. "Would you like us to bring anyone else. Lord Rahl?"

"Anyone else? Yes. Tell them to bring their officers. I'll be in my office. Bring them there."

Ulic and Egan both clapped fists to hearts before turning to their duties. As they departed, they conveyed a message through quick hand signals to the two Mord-Sith. In response, Cara and Raina maneuvered closer to Richard, screening him as Tristan Bashkar came to a wary halt.

Berdine meandered up on the other side, her rapt attention on the open journal in her hands. She seemed completely absorbed in what she was studying, and oblivious to anything around her. Kahlan put out a hand to stop her before she bumped into Richard. She rocked to a halt like a rowboat that had drifted in and grounded on the shore.

Tristan bowed. "Mother Confessor. Lord Rahl." "Who are you?" Richard asked.

"Tristan Bashkar, of Jara, Lord Rahl. I'm afraid we haven't been formally introduced."

Life sparked into Richard's gray eyes. "And have you decided to surrender, minister Bashkar?"

Tristan had been about to bow again at an expected formal introduction. He hadn't expected Richard's questions to come first. He cleared his throat and straightened. His easy smile welled onto his face.

"Lord Rahl, I do appreciate your indulgence. The Mother Confessor has graciously granted me two weeks to observe the signs from the stars."

Power came to Richard's voice. "You risk your people seeing swords, instead of stars, minister." Tristan unbuttoned his coat. From the corner of her eye, Kahlan saw Cara's Agiel twitch up into her hand. Tristan didn't notice. His gaze stayed on Richard while he drew his coat back, holding it open casually by resting his fist on his hip. It exposed the knife at his belt. Raina flicked her Agiel up into her hand.

"Lord Rahl, as I explained to the Mother Confessor, our people looked forward with great joy to joining with the D'Haran empire." "D'Haran empire?"

"Tristan," Kahlan said, "we're rather busy at the moment. We have discussed this already, and you have been given two weeks. Now, if you will excuse us?"

Tristan brushed back a lock of his hair, his bright brown eyes taking her in. "I'll get to the point, then. I've heard rumors that plague is loose in Aydindril."

Richard's raptor glower was suddenly in full form. "It's not just a rumor. It's true."

"How much danger is there?"

Richard's hand found the hilt of his sword. "If you join with the Order, minister, you will wish it was the plague on you, instead of me."

Kahlan had rarely seen two men so instantly and intently dislike each other. She knew Richard was exhausted, and in no mood, after having just seen so many seriously ill or dead children, to be challenged by a noble such as Tristan inquiring after his own hide. Jara had also been on the council that had condemned Kahlan to death. Although it wasn't Tristan who had voted to behead her, it had been a councilor from his land. Richard had killed that Jarian councilor.

Kahlan didn't know why Tristan took such an instant dislike to Richard, except for the fact that this was the man who had demanded Jara's surrender. She guessed that was reason enough; if she were in his place, she might feel the same.

Kahlan was expecting the two men to draw steel any second. Drefan stepped between them.

"I'm Drefan Rahl, High Priest of the Raug'Moss community of healers. I've had some experience with the plague. I suggest that you confine yourself to your room and avoid contact with strangers. Especially prostitutes. Beyond that, you should get enough sleep and proper, healthful food.

"Those things will help to keep your body strong against the distemper. Also, I will be speaking to the staff, here at the palace, on strengthening oneself against illness. You're welcome to come and hear my guidance, as is anyone else of a mind."

Tristan had listened earnestly to Drefan. He bowed, thanking him for his advice. "Well, I appreciate the truth, Lord Rahl. A lesser man might have tried to deceive me about such a serious problem. I can see why you're so busy. I'll take my leave so that you may see to your people."