Temple of the Winds

"That's what Kolo said. The team returned, and the Temple of the Winds was gone." Richard looked devastated. "They must have used magic to tear away the side of the mountain, to bury the Temple of the Winds so no one could ever go there again."

"Well," Berdine sighed, "I'll keep looking in the journal to see if he says anything about the Temple of the Winds falling in a rockslide, or avalanche." Richard nodded. "Maybe there's more about it in the journal." "Lord Rahl, will you have time to help me before you go off to be married?" A chill silence filled the grand hall.

"Berdine-" Richard's mouth worked, but no more words were forthcoming. "I heard the soldiers are well," Berdine said, looking briefly at Kahlan and then back at Richard. "You told me that you and the Mother Confessor would be leaving to be wedded just as soon as the soldiers were well. The soldiers are well." She grinned. "I know that I'm your favorite, but you haven't changed your mind, have you? Gotten cold feet?"

She waited expectantly, seeming not to notice that no one was smiling at her joke. Richard looked numb. He couldn't say it. Kahlan knew that he feared speaking the words, feared he would break her heart.

"Berdine," Kahlan said into the heavy hush, "Richard and I won't be going away to be married. The wedding is called off. For now, anyway."

Even though she had whispered the words, they seemed to echo off the marble walls as if she had shouted them.

Nadine's intently blank face spoke more than if she had grinned. It was somehow worse that she didn't, because it made it all the more obvious that she was schooling her expression, yet no one could have cause to reproach her. "Called off?" Berdine blinked in astonishment. "Why?" Richard stared down at Berdine, not daring to look at Kahlan. "Berdine, Jagang started a plague in Aydindril. That's what the prophecy down in the pit was about. Our duty is to the people here, not to our own. . How would it look if. .? ' He fell silent. The journal in her hands lowered. "I'm sorry."

CHAPTER 32

Kahlan stared out the window at the falling night, at the falling snow. Behind her, Richard sat at his desk, his gold cloak laid over the arm of his chair. He was working on the journal with Berdine while he waited for the officers to arrive. Berdine did most of the talking. He grunted occasionally when she told him what she thought a word meant, and why. Kahlan didn't think that as tired as he was he was much use to Berdine.

Kahlan glanced back over her shoulder. Drefan and Nadine were huddled together beside the hearth. Richard had asked them to come along to answer any questions the generals might have. Nadine confined her attention to Drefan, scrupulously avoiding looking at Richard, and especially at Kahlan. Probably because she knew that Kahlan would detect the glint of triumph in her eyes.

No. This wasn't a triumph for Nadine-for Shota. This was only a postponement. Just until. . until what? Until they could halt a plague? Until most of the people of Aydindril died? Until they themselves got the plague and died, as the prophecy foretold?

Kahlan went to Richard and laid a hand on his shoulder, desperately needing his touch. Thankfully, she felt him put a hand over hers.

"Just a postponement," she whispered as she leaned close to his ear. "This doesn't change it, Richard. This only delays it for a little while, that's all. I promise." He patted her hand as he smiled up at her. "I know." Cara opened the door and leaned in. "Lord Rahl, they're coming now." "Thanks, Cara. Leave the door open and tell them to come in." Raina lit a long splinter in the hearth. She put a hand to Berdine's shoulder to balance herself as she leaned past to light another lamp at the far end of the table. Her long, dark braid slipped over her shoulder, tickling Berdine's face. Berdine scratched her cheek and gave Raina a brief smile.

To see those two touch or even acknowledge one another in front of others was rare in the extreme. Kahlan knew that it was because of the things Raina had seen that day. She, too, was feeling lonely, and in need of comfort. As deadening as their training had been, as numb as they were to agony, their human feelings were beginning to be rekindled. Kahlan could see in Raina's dark eyes that witnessing children suffer and die had affected her.

Kahlan heard Cara, out in the hall, telling men to go in. Muscular, graying General Kerson, looking as imposing as ever in his burnished leather uniform, marched through the doorway. Muscles bulged under the chain mail covering his arms.