Soul of the Fire (Sword of Truth 5)

The man, having lost much of his color, cleared his throat. “Nine of ten marked an ex against us, Lord Rahl.”

Richard stood stunned. He had talked to those people. He remembered some of their names, their beautiful children.

Richard felt as if the ground had disappeared out from beneath his feet, and he was falling through insanity. He had been up day and night, trying to help these people have their own way over their lives, have freedom, and they rejected it.

“Richard,” Kahlan said in soft sympathy, “it was nothing you did. They told those people lies. They frightened the people.”

Richard lifted a hand in a vague manner. “But… I talked to them, explained to them that this was for them, for their future, for the freedom of their children.…”

“I know, Richard.”

Captain Meiffert stood awkwardly. Kahlan signaled with a hand, dismissing him. He bowed and quietly backed out of the tent.

“I’m going for a walk,” Richard whispered. “I need to be alone.” He waved toward the blankets. “Just go on to bed without me.”

Richard walked alone into the darkness.

66

He quietly dismissed for the evening the woman dusting all the elaborate woodwork and, after closing the door behind her, went to the bedroom. Teresa turned when she heard him come in.

“Dalton.” She smiled. “There you are, sweetheart.”

“Tess.”

He had run the entire state of affairs through his mind a thousand times and had finally come to the place where he could face Tess and know he would be able to control his response.

He had to control himself.

He had retreated into his most trusted method of handling things. Only there could he be sure of his control. He was going to handle this, just as he handled so many other things.

“I didn’t expect to see you in so early.”

“Tess, I heard something.”

She sat at the mirror, brushing her beautiful hair.

“Really? Some interesting news?”

“A bit. I heard you have been occupying the bed of the Sovereign. Is this true?”

He knew now it was. He had pulled every thread of his cobweb.

She stopped brushing and looked at him in the mirror, her face a mix of emotions. Defiance predominated them.

“Dalton, it’s not like he’s another man. It’s the Sovereign.” She stood and turned to him, unsure how he was going to react. “He is next to the Creator.”

“May I ask how this came about?”

“Bertrand said the Creator spoke to him.” She stared off to a distant place. “The Creator told Bertrand that because I had been faithful to you, and had never been with another man, and because you had been faithful to me, the Creator had chosen me to be the one to release Bertrand’s worldly tensions.”

Her eyes focused on him again.

“So, you see, it’s a reward for you, too, Dalton. For your faithfulness to me.”

Dalton made himself answer. “Yes, I can see that.”

“Bertrand says it is my holy duty.”

“Holy duty.”

“When I’m with him, it’s like… I don’t know. It’s so special. To help the Sovereign in this world is an honor as well as a duty. To think, I help relieve him of the awful tension that builds up in him from being Sovereign.

“It’s an awesome responsibility, Dalton, being Sovereign.”

Dalton nodded. “You’re right.”

Seeing that he wasn’t going to get angry and harm her, she stepped closer.

“Dalton, I still love you just the same.”

“I’m glad to hear it, Tess. That was what I’m most worried about. I fear I’ve lost your love.”

She grasped his shoulders. “No, silly. Never. I still love you the same. But the Sovereign has called upon me. You have to understand that. He needs me.”

Dalton swallowed. “Of course, darling. But we can… we can still be… we can still be together in bed?”

“Oh, Dalton, of course we can. Is that what you were worried about? That I’d not have time for you, too? Dalton, I love you, and will always want you.”

“Good.” He nodded. “That’s good.”

“Come to bed, sweetheart, and I’ll show you. You might even find me more exciting, now.

“And Dalton, it’s a high honor to be with the Sovereign. Everyone will only think more of you.”

“I’m sure you’re right.”

“Come to bed, then.” She kissed his cheek. “Let me show you how happy I can make you?”

Dalton scratched his forehead. “Ah, I would love nothing better, really I would, but I have a whole pile of urgent work. The vote just came in.…”

“I know. Bertrand told me.”

“Bertrand.”

She nodded. “The Sovereign, silly. He told me. I’m so proud of you, Dalton. I know you had a part in it. It wasn’t all just Bertrand’s work. I know you had a hand in helping him win.”

“A part. It’s kind of the Sovereign to take note of my contribution.”

“He speaks very highly of you, Dalton.”

“I’m pleased to hear that.” Dalton cleared his throat. “Ah, look, Tess, I’ve got to get to… get to my, my work. I have urgent matters.”

“Should I wait up?”

Dalton waved a hand. “No. No, darling, I have to make a trip into Fairfield to see to some matters.”

“Tonight? Yet tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Dalton, you mustn’t work so hard. Promise me you will take some time for yourself. Promise me? I worry for you.”

“You shouldn’t. I’m fine.”

She smiled her most intimate smile. “Promise me you will make time to make love to me?”

Dalton smiled. “Of course. I promise.” He kissed her cheek. “Good night, darling.”

The woman holding out the vial frowned. “Do I know you?”

“No,?

? Kahlan said, turning her face down so it would be shadowed by the lamplight. “I don’t see how. I’m from far away. I only came into Fairfield for this.”

Kahlan wore common clothes she used for traveling, and a head wrap made of a scarf so her long hair would be hidden. She put on the head wrap after she was away from their camp. With Richard off somewhere, the soldiers insisted on escorting her on her walk to get “some air.” She had gruffly ordered them to leave her alone and go back to their posts.

Such orders would never have worked with Cara. Cara would have ignored them. The soldiers were not as fearless, or as reckless, or as smart, as Cara.

The woman sighed. “Well, I understand, my dear. A number of women have made a journey for such as this.”

She held out the stoppered vial, clearly expecting payment first. Kahlan passed her a gold sovereign.

“Keep it all. I expect your silence in return.”

The woman bowed her head. “I quite understand. Thank you, my dear. Very generous of you. Thank you.”

Kahlan took the vial, holding it nestled in her palm, staring through its clouded glass at the clear liquid inside. She realized her other hand was on her belly. She let the arm drop to her side.

“Now,” the woman said, pointing at the poorly made glass vial, “it will remain good for the night, since I just mixed it for you. You can take it whenever you please, but if you wait until morning it will likely not still be potent enough. I’d suggest you do it tonight, before you go to bed.”

“Will it hurt?”

The woman’s face frowned with concern. “Likely not more than a regular cycle, my dear. Not with it being this early. There will just be the bleeding, so be prepared for that.”

Kahlan had meant would it hurt the baby. She couldn’t bring herself to repeat the question.

“Just drink it all down,” the woman went on. “It isn’t so bad to taste, but you might want some tea with it.”