"And you. King Jorin." Kahlan lifted an introductory hand. "This is Lord Rahl, Master of the D'Haran empire, and my husband to be." The king lifted an eyebrow. "As I have heard it told. My congratulations." Richard leaned forward. "I sent you a message. What is your reply?" Kahlan thought that she had a lot of work to do, teaching Richard proper diplomatic decorum.

The king let out a belly laugh. "It will be a pleasure being part of an empire led by a man who doesn't gibber jabber me to death." He lifted a thumb, indicating the star guide behind him. "Like some people." "And does that mean that you surrender?" Richard pressed. "It does indeed. Lord Rahl, Mother Confessor.

"A large delegation from the Imperial Order came to Sandilar and invited us to join the Imperial Order. We had been waiting for a sign, as requested by Javas Kedar, here. Tristan thought to take matters into his own hands, and try to strike a favorable deal with the Order.

"When the plague came, we thought it showed the power of the Order, and we feared that, I must admit, but when you swept the plague from the land, that was sign enough for me. Javas, here, will no doubt soon find the appropriate sign in the sky to confirm my decision. If not, there are other star guides."

A red-faced Javas Kedar bowed. "As I told you. Your Highness, as your star guide, I will be able to confirm your decision without difficulty." The king scowled over his shoulder. "Good!" "And the heads?" Richard asked.

"The delegation from the Imperial Order. I brought you their heads to show you my sincerity. I wanted you to see that this is a choice I make with conviction. I thought it a fitting answer to the likes of people who would cast a plague into the land, to kill indiscriminately. It shows their true nature, putting the lie to all the things they say."

Richard bowed his head to the king. "Thank you, King Jorin." "Who ordered the beheading of my nephew, Tristan?"

"I did," Richard said. "As I stood on a balcony watching, with the Mother Confessor at my side, Tristan entered the Mother Confessor's bedroom and stabbed a nightdress stuffed with tow that we had placed there. He thought he was killing her."

The king shrugged. "Justice befits all, no matter his station. I bear no grudge. Tristan did not serve our people well, either. I look forward to the day we can be rid of the threat from the Order."

"As do we," Richard said. "With your help, we are that much closer to that day." As the king went to see to the signing of papers, and to discuss logistics with the D'Haran command, Richard and Kahlan rose to leave, but were interrupted by a guard. "What is it?" Kahlan asked. 'There are three men asking to see Lord Rahl." 'Three men? Who are they?"

"They did not give their names. Mother Confessor, but they said they were Raug'Moss."

Richard sat back down. "Send them in."

Under the desk, Kahlan reached over and curled her fingers around his hand, giving him a reassuring squeeze as three figures in flaxen cloaks, with broad hoods pulled up onto their heads, and with their hands folded before them, glided up to the dais.

"I am Lord Rahl," Richard said.

"Yes," the one in front said, "we feel the bond." He lifted a hand out to his side. "This is Brother Kerloff, and this is Brother Houck." He pushed his hood back to reveal a heavily creased face and a head of thinning gray hair. "I am Marsden Taboor."

Richard warily eyed the three men. "Welcome to Aydindril. I hear you wanted to see me. What is it I can do for you?" "We are searching for Drefan Rahl," Marsden Taboor said. Richard rubbed his thumb along the edge of the desk as he watched the three men. "I'm sorry, but your High Priest is dead." The two in back shared a look.

Marsden Taboor's expression darkened. "High Priest? I am the High Priest of the Raug'Moss, and have been since before Drefan was born." Richard frowned. "Drefan told us he was the High Priest." Marsden Taboor stroked his temple as he searched for words. "Lord Rahl, I'm afraid that your brother was. . given to delusion. If he told you that he was the High Priest of the Raug'Moss, then he was deceiving you for reasons I fear to imagine.

"He was left with us by his mother, when he was a young boy. We raised him, knowing what his father would do should he come to discover a son without the gift. Drefan could be-dangerous. Once we realized this, we kept him confined, within our community, to prevent him from hurting anyone.

"He was talented at healing, and we always hoped that he would come to be at peace with himself. We hoped that through healing he could find a way to prove his worth, in his own right.

"A while back, he vanished. Several of our healers were found dead. They had been killed in a most unpleasant fashion: torture. We have been searching for Drefan since. We have been lo several places where he had been, and found women who had been murdered in a similar way.

"Drefan had an unsavory attitude toward women. His father, too, was not inclined to be kind toward women. Though he escaped his father in body, I think he failed to escape him in spirit.

"I pray he has not caused harm to anyone here." Richard was silent for a time before he spoke.

"We had a plague. A terrible plague. Thousands died. Without regard for himself. Drefan, upholding the noble ideals of the Raug'Moss, worked to help those stricken. He shared his knowledge, and in that way may have prevented yet more from dying.

"My brother, in his own way, helped stop the plague, and in so doing, he died." Marsden Taboor folded his hands before him again as he studied Richard's eyes. "Is this the way you wish it remembered?" "He was my brother. Partly because of his being here, I learned the power of forgiveness."

Kahlan squeezed Richard's hand under the table.

"Thank you for seeing me. Lord Rahl." Marsden Taboor bowed. "In your light we thrive." "Thank you," Richard whispered.

The three healers started away. but Marsden Taboor turned back. "I knew your father. You do not take after him. Drefan did. Not many will mourn the passing of your father, or your brother.

"I can see in your eyes. Lord Rahl, a healer, a true healer, besides a warrior. A wizard, as a healer, must be in balance, or he is lost. D'Hara is well served, at long last. Call on us if you have need."

Ulic let out a sigh when the doors closed. "Lord Rahl, there are other representatives also wishing to see you." "If you are well enough," Cara added.

"Someone always wants to see us." Richard stood and held out his hand to Kahlan. "General Kerson can see them. Don't we have something more important to do?"

"Are you sure you are well enough?" Kahlan asked. "I've never felt better. You haven't had a change of mind, have you?" Kahlan smiled as she took his hand and stood. "Never. If Lord Rahl is fully recovered, what are we waiting for? My things are ready." "About time," Berdine muttered.

As they waited for Richard to return, Kahlan put a reassuring hand on Cara's back. "She wouldn't lie to us, Cara. If the sliph says you can travel, you can travel."

The sliph had tested Cara, Berdine, Ulic, and Egan, all of them thinking that, as guards, they should go along to protect Richard and Kahlan.

Only Cara had passed the sliph's test. Richard guessed that it was because Cara had linked with the Andolian leader, Legate Rishi, and he must have an element of both sides of the magic. Cara didn't like anything to do with magic, and the sliph was definitely magic enough to give her pause.

Kahlan leaned close, and whispered in Cara's ear. "You have passed bigger tests than this, in this room. I am a sister of the Agiel; I will hold your hand the whole way."

Cara eyed Kahlan, and then the sliph.

"You have to do it, Cara," Berdine pleaded. "You will be the only Mord-Sith at the wedding of our Lord Rahl and Mother Confessor."