"Legend has it that the Raug'Moss were founded thousands of years ago by wizards whose gift was for healing. The gift began dying out in the race of man, and wizards, especially ones gifted for healing, became more and more rare."

Drefan told Richard the story of how the community of the Raug'Moss started to change as wizards began dying out. Worried that their work would die out with them, the healers, the wizard healers, decided to take in apprentices without the gift. Over time, there were fewer and fewer wizards to oversee the work, until long ago the last of the wizards died.

It sounded to Richard much like reading in Kolo's journal how different the Keep had been in that time long past when it was filled with wizards and their families.

"Now, there are no gifted among us," Drefan said. "The Raug'Moss were taught many keys of health and healing, but we have nowhere near the talent of the wizards of old; we have no magic to aid us. We do what we can, with the teachings the true healers of old passed down, but we can only do so much. It's a simple life. a hard life. but it has rewards that comforts of belongings can't provide." "I understand. It must be the best feeling in the world to help people." Drefan's face took on a curious set. "What of you? What is your gift? Your talent?"

Richard looked away from Drefan's eyes. His hand tightened on the hilt of his sword.

"I was born a war wizard," he whispered. "I have been named fuer- grissa ost drauka. High D'Haran for 'the bringer of death. The room fell quiet.

Richard cleared his throat. "I was pretty distraught by that. at first, but since then I've come to understand that being a war wizard means that I have been born to help others, by protecting them from those who would enslave them. From those like our bastard father-Darken Rahl."

"I understand." Drefan said into the uneasy silence. "Sometimes the best use of our ability is to kill-such as to end a life that has no hope but pain. or to end the life of one who would bring endless pain to others."

Richard rubbed a thumb over the symbols on the silver bands at his wrist. "Yes. I understand what you mean by that. now. I don't think I did. before. We both must do things that we don't like, but which must be done."

Drefan smiled a small smile. "Not many, other than my healers, ever understand it. I'm glad you do. Sometimes killing is the greatest of charity. I am careful to whom I speak those words. It is good to have my brother understand them." "The same with me, Drefan."

Before Richard could ask more, they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Raina poked her head in. Her long, dark braid fell forward over her shoulder. "Lord Rahl, do you have a moment?" "What is it. Raina?"

Raina rolled her eyes, indicating someone behind her. "Nadine wishes to see you. She seems upset about something, and will only speak to you."

When Richard gestured, Raina opened the door a little wider and Nadine pushed her way in, oblivious to Raina's scowl.

"Richard. You have to come with me." She took up his hand in both of hers. "Please? Please, Richard, come with me? There's someone here who desperately needs to see you." "Who?"

She looked to be genuinely troubled. She tugged on his hand. "Please, Richard." Richard was still wary. "Mind if I bring Drefan along?" "Of course not. I was going to ask that you did." "Let's go, then, if it's really important." She held his hand tight and dragged him behind her.

CHAPTER 28

Richard spotted Kahlan coming down the hall toward him. She frowned at seeing Nadine pulling him along by the hand. Drefan, Raina, Ulic, and Egan trailed behind him as they all wove their way past palace staff going about their chores, and soldiers on patrol. Richard shrugged to Kahlan.

Nadine glared at Kahlan before turning down the hall toward her room. He wondered what that was all about. Annoyed, Richard yanked his hand away from Nadine's grip, but kept following. Nadine skirted a walnut table against the wall beneath an old tapestry with a herd of white-tailed deer grazing before white-peaked mountains in the background. She checked over her shoulder to make sure Richard was still with her.

Kahlan and Cara caught up. Kahlan fell in beside him.

"Well," Cara said from behind, as she stroked her thick braid, "doesn't this look interesting?"

Richard shot her a scowl. Nadine turned and impatiently snatched his hand again. "You promised. Come on."

"I promised nothing. I said I'd go with you," Richard complained. "I didn't say I would run."

"Big strong Lord Rahl can't keep up with me?" Nadine taunted. "The woods guide I remember could walk faster than this when he was half asleep." "I am half asleep," he muttered.

"The guards told me you were back, and had gone to Drefan's room," Kahlan whispered to him. "I was on my way to meet you there. What's this business with Nadine?"

Her whispered question was laced with aggravation. He noticed her quick glance to Nadine's hand gripping his. "Beats me. She wants me to see someone."

"And must you hold her hand to do it?" she growled under her breath. He yanked his hand away again.

Kahlan stole a quick peek at Drefan, back behind Cara and Raina. She twined her arm through Richard's. "How are you doing? What did you. . find out?"

Richard put his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze. "Everything is fine," he whispered to her. "It wasn't what I thought. I'll tell you about it later." "What about the murderer? Has anyone found him yet?" "Yes, someone found him, and murdered him for his crime," Richard told her. "What about the representatives? Did you take care of it?"

Her answer was a moment in coming. "Grennidon, Togressa, and Pendisan Reach surrendered. Jara may yet, but they wish to wait for two weeks for a sign from the sky," Richard frowned. "Mardovia refused to join with us. They choose to remain neutral."

Richard jerked to a halt. "What!" Everyone marching behind almost lurched into him. "They refuse to surrender. They claim to be neutral."

"The Order doesn't recognize neutrality. Neither do we. Didn't you tell them that?"

Kahlan's face showed nothing. "Of course I did." Richard hadn't meant to yell at her. He was angry at Mardovia. not her. "General Reibisch is in the south. Maybe we could have him take Mardovia before the Order grinds them into carrion."

"Richard, they were given a chance. They are now the walking dead. We can't waste the lives of our soldiers to take Mardovia just so that we might protect them. It would serve no purpose and it would weaken our effort."

Nadine pushed between them and glared at Kahlan. "You talked to that evil Jagang. You know what he's like. Those people will all die if you leave them to the Order. You just don't care about the lives of innocent people. You're heartless."

From the corner of his eye, Richard saw a red flash as Cara's Agiel spun up into her hand.

Richard shoved Nadine on ahead of him. "Kahlan is right. It just took a moment for it to sink in through my thick skull. Mardovia has chosen their own path: they must walk it. Now, if you want to show me someone, then show me. I have important things to do."

Nadine huffed, flipped her thick brown hair back over her shoulder, and marched on. Cara and Raina were scowling at the back of her head. A scowl from a Mord-Sith was more often than not prelude to a serious consequence. Richard had probably just spared Nadine that consequence. Someday, he was going to have to do something about Shota. Before Kahlan tried.

Richard leaned toward Kahlan. "I'm sorry. I'm dead tired and I just wasn't thinking."

She squeezed his arm. "You promised you would get some sleep, remember?" "Soon as I see to this business with Nadine, whatever it is." At the door to her room, Nadine snatched Richard's hand again and tugged him in. Before he could object, he saw the boy sitting on a red chair. Richard thought he recognized him as one of the Ja'La players he had watched.