“Why, yes, Bradley, I would love to dance with you. I would love it. But only if you promise not to hold me like I’m made of glass. I don’t want to look foolish out there.”
He grinned and nodded. “All right.”
She placed one hand in his, and laid the other over his shoulder. He put his big hand to the side of her waist, under her open fur mantle, and twirled her out amid the merrymakers. Kahlan smiled and laughed as she endured it. She thought of Spirit, and willed herself to remember that kind of strength, and she was able to relax, and take the party for what it was, and not think about what was missing as another man held her in his arms, if timidly.
“Bradley, you’re a wonderful dancer.”
Pride shined in his eyes. She felt him loosen up, and let the music flow more smoothly through his movements. Kahlan caught sight of Cara and Benjamin, not far away, doing their best to dance and not look at each other. When he whirled her around him, his arm securely holding her waist, Cara’s long blond braid sailed out behind her. Then Kahlan actually saw Cara look up into Benjamin’s blue eyes and smile.
Kahlan was relieved when the song ended and Captain Ryan was replaced for the next dance by Zedd. She held him close as she moved to a slower tune with him.
“I’m proud of you, Mother Confessor. You gave a wonderful thing to these men.”
“And what is that?”
“Your heart.” He tilted his head. “See them watching you? You’ve given them courage. You’ve given them a reason to believe in what they’re doing.”
Kahlan lifted an eyebrow. “You trickster, you. You may fool others, but not me. It is you who has given me heart.”
Zedd only smiled. “You know, not since the very first Confessor has a man ever again figured out how to love such a woman without her power destroying him. I’m glad it was my grandson who accomplished such an exploit, and that it was for his love of you. I love you as a granddaughter, Kahlan, and look forward to the day when you are back with my grandson.”
Kahlan held Zedd close, resting her head against his shoulder, as they both danced on with their memories.
As the dancing went on, the golden setting sun was finally replaced by torches and warm fires. Sisters changed partners after each dance, and still there were jovial men lined up out of sight waiting a turn, and not just with the younger, more attractive Sisters. Cooks’ helpers set out simple fare on food tables, sampling some and joking with the soldiers as they went about their task. Between dances, Warren and Verna tried the variety of food from different tables.
Kahlan danced once more with Captain Ryan, and once more with Zedd, but then busied herself speaking to officers and soldiers alike so she wouldn’t have to dance with anyone, should anyone feel awkward about asking her, yet work up the nerve. She was more able to enjoy the festivities without having to dance.
As she was greeting a line of young officers, and they were telling her how much they appreciated the party, someone tapped Kahlan on the shoulder. She turned to a smiling Warren.
“Mother Confessor, I would be honored were you to have a dance with me.”
Kahlan noticed Verna dancing with Zedd. This was one dance that would be different. “Warren, I would love to dance with the handsome groom.”
He moved smoothly with her, not at all haltingly as she had expected. He seemed to be blissfully at peace, and not nervous about the crush of people or the men constantly clapping him on the back, or the joking remarks from some of the Sisters.
“Mother Confessor, I just wanted to thank you for making this the best day I’ve ever had.”
Kahlan smiled up into his young face, his ageless eyes. “Warren, thank you for agreeing to this big party. I know it’s not the sort of thing that fits you—”
“Oh, but it is. That’s just it. People used to call me the mole.”
“They did? Why?”
“Because I used to stay down in the vaults all the time studying the prophecies. It wasn’t just that I liked to study the books—I was afraid to come out.”
“But you finally did.”
He turned her in time with the sweep of music. “Richard brought me out.”
“He did? I never knew that.”
“In a way, you’ve helped add to what he started.” Warren smiled distantly. “I just wanted to thank you. I know how much I miss him, and how much Verna misses him. I know the men miss their Lord Rahl.”
Kahlan was only able to nod.
“And I know how much you miss your husband. That’s why I wanted to thank you—for giving us this, and the gift of your grace, despite your heartache. Everyone here feels it with you. Please know that while you miss him, you are not alone, and are among those who love him too.”
Kahlan smiled, and managed to get out a “Thank you.”
As they danced across the open area, laughing at the merry tune and the awkward steps of some of the soldiers, the music abruptly trailed off.
It was then that she heard the horns.
Alarm swept through the assembled soldiers, as men ran for their weapons, until one of the sentries sprinted in, waving his arm, calling out for everyone to stand down, that it was friendly forces.
Puzzled, Kahlan stretched her neck along with everyone else, trying to see. They had no forces out. She had let them all be present to enjoy the wedding party.
The crowd parted as horses trotted through the throng. Kahlan’s eyebrows went up, and her jaw dropped. The distinguished General Baldwin, commander of all Keltish forces, was at the fore, riding a handsome chestnut gelding. He brought the horse to a smart halt. He ran his first finger along the length of his white-flecked dark mustache as he took in the crowd gathered in around him. His graying black hair grew down over his ears, and his pate shone through on top. He was a striking figure in his serge cape fastened on one shoulder with two buttons, allowing it to show the rich green silk lining. His tan surcoat was decorated with a heraldic emblem slashed through with a diagonal black line dividing a yellow and blue shield. The man’s high boots were rolled down below his knees. Long black gauntlets, their flared cuffs lying over the front, were tucked behind a wide belt set with an ornate buckle.
The press of men made way for Kahlan to step through. “General!”
He lifted a hand in his noble manner, a smile spreading wide. “Mother Confessor, how good to see you.”
Kahlan started to speak, but horses charged through, the crowd falling back for them. They stormed into the dance area like a wind-borne fire—a dozen Mord-Sith in red leather. One of the women leaped from her horse.
“Rikka!” Cara called out.
The woman’s bold glare swept over the gathered people. She finally settled her gaze, taking in Cara. Cara moved out of General Meiffert’s arms.
“Cara,” she said as way of greeting. She glanced around. “Where is Hania?”
Cara stepped closer. “Hania? She’s not here.”
The woman pressed her lips together in bitter disappointment. “I thought as much. When I never received word back, I feared we had lost her. Still, I was hoping…”
Kahlan stepped forward, a little miffed that the woman saw fit to step in front of General Baldwin. “Rikka, is it?”
“Ah,” Rikka s
aid, a knowing smile stealing onto her face, “You could be none other than Lord Rahl’s wife—the Mother Confessor. I recognize the description.” The woman saluted casually with a fist to her heart. “Yes, I am Rikka.”
“I’m glad to have you here, and your sisters of the Agiel.”
“I came from Aydindril as soon as Berdine received your letter. It explained a lot. She and I discussed it, and decided I should come with some of my sisters to help in our effort. I left six sister Mord-Sith with Berdine to watch over Aydindril and the Wizard’s Keep. I also brought twenty thousand troops.” She lifted a thumb, pointing with it behind her. “We met up with the general, here, a week back.”
“We can certainly use your help. That was wise of Berdine—I know how eager she was to come herself, but she knows the city and the Keep. I’m glad she followed my instructions.” Kahlan settled her most unsettling Mother-Confessor-gaze on Rikka. “Now, if you don’t mind, you interrupted General Baldwin.”
Cara shoved Rikka, pushing her back out of the way. “We need to talk, Rikka, before you’re up to the task of serving Lord Rahl and his wife, who just happens to be a sister of the Agiel.”
Rikka lifted and eyebrow in surprise. “Really? How could—”
“Later,” Cara said with a smile before Rikka could get herself into any more trouble, moving the woman and her sister Mord-Sith back. Zedd, Adie, and Verna eased closer to Kahlan.
General Baldwin, now off his horse, stepped forward at last and went to a knee in a bow. “My queen, Mother Confessor.”
“Rise, my child,” Kahlan said in formal answer as the camp looked on with the same rapt attention they had devoted to the wedding. This had important bearing on them, too.
The general rose to his feet. “I came as soon as I received your letter, Mother Confessor.”
“How many men did you bring?”
He looked surprised by the question. “Why…all of them. One hundred seventy thousand men. When my queen asks for an army, I bring her one.”
Whispers spread through the men as they passed word back.