Richard didn't know what to say. He reached over and clasped her hand. "The temple team, before they were executed, said in their own defense that they hadn't sealed the temple away for good. as they might have easily done. but instead left a way in to answer the call. They said that if the need was truly great enough, it could still be entered. "I will get in. Kahlan. I swear it."

A small measure of relief came briefly to her beautiful eyes, but the haunted look settled back into them. Richard knew what she was thinking. It was the same as he'd wondered himself as he read of the madness that was the war. and of what people had done to each other.

"Kahlan, we don't use magic to destroy people for our own purposes. We use it to fight against a cause that murders helpless children. We tight for freedom from terror and killing."

A small smile returned as she squeezed his hand. They both looked up when they heard a knock on the open door. It was Drefan. "Can I come in? I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" "No, it's all right." Richard said. "Come in."

"I just wanted you to know that I ordered the carts, like you wanted. It's gotten to that point."

Richard rubbed his fingertips across his forehead. "How many?" "A little over three hundred last night, if the reports are all in. As you suspected might be the case, the people can't handle that many dead anymore, and the numbers grow each day."

Richard nodded. "We can't let the dead wait. It could spread the plague even faster to have them rotting in the open air. They have to be buried as soon as they die. Tell the men I want the dead-carts sent out just as soon as they have it organized. I give them until sunset."

"I already told them. As you say, we can't allow bodies infected with the plague to go untended: it could make the plague worse." "It can get worse?" Richard mocked. Drefan didn't answer.

"I'm sorry," Richard said. "That wasn't called for. Have you found anything that is of any use?"

Drefan tugged down the sleeves of his white shirt. "Richard, there is no cure for the plague. At least, I know of none. The only hope is to stay healthy. Speaking of which, it isn't healthy to sit in here all day and most of the night. You aren't getting enough sleep, again. I can see it in your eyes. I've warned you about that before. And you need to walk around, get some air."

Richard was sick of trying to translate the book, and sick of the things he found out when he succeeded. He flipped it closed and pushed back his chair.

"This is doing no good. anyway. Let's go for that walk you suggested." Richard yawned as he stretched. "And what have you been doing to keep busy." he asked Kahlan, "while I've been shut up in this stuffy room?"

Kahlan cast a furtive glance at Drefan. "I–I've been helping Drefan and Nadine." "Helping them? Helping them do what?"

Drefan smoothed the ruffles on the front of his shirt. "Kahlan has been helping with the staff. Some of them are. . ill."

Richard looked from Kahlan's eyes to Drefan's. "The plague is in the palace?" "I'm afraid so. Sixteen of them have come down sick. A few are common illnesses, the rest-" Richard heaved a weary sigh. "I see."

Raina was standing guard outside his room. She straightened when Richard came through the door.

"Raina, we're going for a walk. I suppose you'd better come along, or I'll never hear the end of it from Cara."

Raina smiled as she brushed back a wisp of dark hair. She knew he was right. and was obviously glad he was cooperating.

"Lord Rahl," Raina said, "I didn't want to disturb you while you were working, but the captain of the city guard came by with a report." "I know. I heard. Three hundred people died last night." Raina's leather creaked as she shifted her weight. "That, too, but they wanted me to tell you that they found another woman last night. She was cut up like the other four."

Richard closed his eyes as he wiped a hand across his mouth. He noticed that he hadn't remembered to shave that day. "Dear spirits. Don't we have enough people dying without some madman going around killing more of them?" "Was this one a prostitute, like the others?" Drefan asked. "The captain said he wasn't positive, but he was pretty sure she was." Drefan shook his head with disgust. "You'd think he'd be worried about the plague, if not getting caught. The plague is running wild among the prostitutes, more so than among the populace at large."

Richard caught sight of Berdine coming up the hall. "As much as I'd like to do something about it, we have bigger worries." He turned to Raina. "When we get back, tell the captain that I want his men to spread the word among those women that there's a killer among them, and that for their own safety we hope they will cease their profession, at least for the time being.

"I'm sure the soldiers will know where to find all the prostitutes," he added under his breath. "Have them get the word out at once. If these women don't stop selling their bodies, they're likely to find themselves in the company of the wrong customer. Their last customer."

Richard waited until Berdine reached them. "Aren't you supposed to be up in the Keep taking your turn guarding the sliph?" Richard asked her.

Berdine shrugged. "I went up there, to relieve Cara, but she said she wanted to stay for another watch."

Richard raked back his hair. "Why would she want to do that?" Berdine shrugged again. "She didn't say." Kahlan took his arm. "I think it's the rats." "What?"

"I think she's trying to prove something to herself." Kahlan hesitated. "Cara doesn't like rats." "I don't blame her," Raina muttered.

"Filthy creatures," Drefan put in. "I don't blame her, either." "If any of you tease her about it," Kahlan warned, "you will answer to me- when Cara's done with you. It's not funny."

No one looked in the mood to challenge Kahlan, nor were any of them in a mood to see anything as funny. "Where are you going?" Berdine asked.

"We're going for a walk." Richard said. "You've probably been sitting as much as I have. If you'd like. come along."

Nadine came around the corner and caught sight of them just as they started out. "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Richard said. "How are you doing. Nadine?" Nadine smiled. "Fine. thank you. I've been busy smoking sick rooms, as Drefan asked."

"We were just going out for a walk," Kahlan said. "You've been working hard, Nadine. Why don't you come along with us?" Richard frowned at Kahlan. She didn't look back at him. Nadine studied Kahlan's eyes for a moment. "Sure. I'd like that." The six of them made their way through the marble halls, past imposing tapestries and elegant furniture, and across sumptuous carpets on their way toward the main palace gates. Soldiers on patrol bowed or clapped fists over heart as the six of them passed. The staff Richard saw going about their business seemed to be in a state of shock. He saw people weeping as they hurried about their tasks.

Before they made the door. they encountered Tristan Bashkar. Richard was in no mood to speak with the Jarian ambassador. Tristan sauntered to a halt before them. There would be no avoiding him this time.

Tristan bowed his head. "Mother Confessor, Lord Rahl. I'm glad I ran into you."

"What do you want, Tristan?" Kahlan asked in a level tone. He watched her cleavage as she spoke. His gaze moved to Richard. "I want to know-"

Richard cut him off. "Did you come to offer Jara's surrender?" Tristan pulled his coat back and rested his fist on his hip. "The time I was allotted is not yet expired. I'm concerned about this plague. You're Lord Rahl. You're supposed to be running everything, now. I want lo know what you're going to do about the plague." Richard restrained himself. "What we can."