Temple of the Winds

"But in the past, as much trouble as

"When I get back, we'll get married, and that will be that." His smile made a sunrise seem boring. "I want you in that big bed of yours that you keep promising me."

"But how can we get married, now, unless we do it here? It's a long way to the Mud People. We promised the Bird Man, and Weselan and Savidlin, and all the rest, that we would be wedded as Mud People. Chandalen protected me on my journey here, and I owe him my life. Wesslan made me my beautiful blue wedding dress, with her own hands, out of cloth that probably took her years to earn. They took us in. They made us Mud People. The Mud People have sacrificed for us. Many have given their lives for our cause.

"I know it's not the kind of wedding most women dream of-a whole village of half-naked people covered in mud dancing around bonfires, calling the spirits to come join two of their people, having a feast that goes on for days with those strange drums and ritual dancers acting out stories and all the rest. . but it's the most heartfelt ceremony we could ever have.

"Right now we can't leave Aydindril to go on a long journey to the Mud People just because we want to. Just for us. Everyone else is depending on us. There is a war going on."

Richard pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead. "I know. I want the Mud People to marry us, too. And they will. Trust me. I'm the Seeker. I'm giving it a lot of thought. I have a few ideas." He sighed. "But right now I have to go. Take care of things. Mother Confessor. I'll be back tomorrow. Promise." She hugged him so tight it made her aims hurt.

He finally separated from her and looked down into her eyes. "I've got to go, before it gets any later, or I'll have men getting hurt in the dark up in those passes." He paused. "If. . if Nadine needs anything, would you see that she gets it? A horse, or food, or supplies, or whatever. She's not a bad person. I don't wish her ill. She doesn't deserve what Shota did to her."

Kahlan nodded and then laid her head against his chest. She could hear his heart beating. "Thank you for getting this outfit to be married in. You look more handsome than ever."

She closed her eyes against the pain of the words she had heard back in the red room. "Richard, why didn't you get angry when Cara said those cruel things?"

"Because I understand what was done to them. I've been in that world of madness. Hate would have destroyed me; forgiveness in my heart was the only thing that saved me. I don't want hate to destroy them. I didn't want to let mere words ruin what I'm trying to give them. I want them to learn to trust. Sometimes you can only gain trust by giving it."

"Maybe you're having an effect. Despite what Cara said back there, earlier today she said some things that make me think they understand." Kahlan smiled and tried to lighten the subject of the Mord-Sith. "I heard you were outside today with Berdine and Raina, taming chipmunks."

"Taming chipmunks is easy. I was doing something considerably more difficult; I was trying to tame Mord-Sith." His one was grave, leading to the impression that his thoughts were far away. "You should have seen Berdine and Raina. They were giggling, just like little girls. I almost wept at the sight."

Kahlan smiled to herself in wonder "And here I thought you were just out there wasting time. How many more Mord-Sith are back at the People's Palace in D'Hara?" "Dozens."

"Dozens." It was a daunting thought. "At least chipmunks are plentiful." He stroked a hand down her hair as lie held her head to his chest. "I love you, Kahlan Amnell. Thanks for being patient."

"I love you, too, Richard Rahl." She clutched his tunic and pressed herself against him. "Richard, Shota still scares me. Promise me that you really will marry me."

He let out a little, breathy laugh and then kissed the top of her head. "I love you more than I could ever tell you. There is no one else, not Nadine, not anyone; I swear an oath on my gift. You are the only one I will ever love. I promise."

She could hear her heart drumming in her ears. That was not the promise she had asked for. He pushed away. "I have to go." "But…"

He looked back around the comer. "What? I have to go." She shooed him with a hand. "Go. Hurry back to me." He blew her a kiss and then he was gone. She leaned a shoulder against the corner as she watched his billowing gold cape recede down the hall, and listened to the jangle of chain mail and weapons and thud of boots as a raft of guards trailed in his wake.