Temple of the Winds

"I will guard the Mother Confessor's room, then." Raina said. "No," Richard lifted a thumb. "I want you guarding Nadine's room. She was the one who was attacked."

"Yes, Lord Rahl," Raina stammered. "I'll see to setting up a guard of soldiers outside the Mother Confessor's room. then."

"If I wanted soldiers around Kahlan's room. I'd have told you so. now wouldn't I?" Raina's face reddened. "I want all the soldiers doing their jobs patrolling the entrances, the palace grounds, and a perimeter around the grounds. Every one of them! The danger is from out there, not in here. Kahlan is perfectly safe inside the palace. I don't want men who should be guarding outside instead sitting on their bottoms around Kahlan's room inside. I'll not have it, do you hear me?" "But, Lord Rahl-" "Don't question me. I'm not in the mood."

Kahlan touched his arm. "Richard." she whispered, "are you sure that-" "Someone tried to kill Nadine. They nearly succeeded. Or did some of you miss the significance of that? I'll not take any more chances. I want her protected, and I don't want to hear any more arguments. Drefan, I want you to start carrying a sword at once. Healers are a target." Everyone stared at the floor in silence. "Good." Richard turned his glare on Tristan. "What is it?" Tristan spread his hands. "Lord Rahl, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I realize I seemed insensitive, but I've been worried about the people here who are sick and dying. It set my nerves on edge. I meant to cause no ill will between us. I hope you will accept my apology."

Richard studied Tristan's eyes. "Yes. of course. Apology accepted, and I'm sorry that I lost my temper. I, too, have been out of sorts." Richard put a hand on Nadine's shoulder. "Someone tried to kill one of my healers-a person devoted to helping others. People are beginning to blame healers because the plague continues to spread. I can't allow harm to come to people who are only trying their best to help."

"Yes, of course. You are most kind to accept my apology. Thank you. Lord Rahl." "Just don't forget, ambassador, that your time runs out tomorrow."

Tristan bowed. "I realize that, and you will know my stand by tomorrow. Lord Rahl. You have my word. Good night, then."

Richard rounded on the rest of them. "We have a lot of work to do tomorrow. It's very late. As Drefan is constantly reminding me, we need to get some sleep. You all have your orders. Any questions'?" Each answered with a silent shake of the head.

Two hours after they had returned to the palace, and Richard had sent them all to bed, Kahlan thought she saw something move in her room.

The lamp on the far wall was turned down low. The clouds hid the moon, so there was no light coming in the glassed doors to the balcony. The thick carpets silenced the sound of footsteps, if there were any. The weak flame from the lamp was all that betrayed the shape she thought she saw.

Another motion came from across the room-a hint of shadowed movement. She hadn't seen a person enter her rooms; it could be nothing other than her imagination. The day had left her in an edgy state.

With the next silent step, there was no doubt: there was someone in her room. Someone slipped ever closer to her bed. As furtive as the movements were, he had closed the distance in remarkably short order.

Kahlan didn't move a muscle as she saw the knife glint in the dim lamplight. She held her breath.

A powerful arm stabbed hatefully into her bed. The arm rose and fell, stabbing in quick succession.

With a finger, Richard pushed on the balcony door. It swung open on silent hinges. Berdine glided across the room the instant Richard gave her a hand signal. When she was in place, he tapped the glass once. Berdine turned up the wick on the lamp.

Tristan Bashkar straightened beside Kahlan's bed, knife in hand, panting with the effort of what he had just been doing.

'Toss down the knife, ambassador," Richard said in a quiet tone. Tristan spun the knife in his fingers, seizing the blade in preparation to throw it.

Berdine's Agiel to the back of his neck dropped him instantly. She pressed the Agiel down on his shoulder to support herself as she bent and picked up the knife. Tristan howled in pain.

Berdine straightened, coming up with three knives. "You were right, Richard," Drefan said from behind. "I can't believe it," Nadine said as she stepped up into the lamplight. "Believe it," General Kerson said as he, too, came in from the balcony. "I'd say Tristan Bashkar has nullified his immunity as a diplomat."

Richard put two fingers between his lips and whistled. Raina charged through the door ahead of a large contingent of D'Haran soldiers bristling steel. Two of them lit more lamps.

Richard hooked his thumbs behind his belt as he stood beside Kahlan, a towering black form defined with gold trim on his tunic and silver ornaments, buckles, and wristbands, watching the soldiers haul Tristan to his feet.