Zedd rubbed his smooth chin. “Well, I guess that’s true. Maybe in a way that did help to protect you.” He scowled at Richard. “But she gave it to Samuel! He’s a thief!”
“And what did he steal since he got the sword back?”
Zedd peered at Richard with one eye. “Steal? I don’t know. What do you mean?”
“He near to killed a Sister of the Dark and took the box of Orden she had, preventing the Sisters from having all three so that they can invoke the magic of Orden.”
Zedd’s scowl deepened. “And just what do you suppose that little thief is going to do with the box?”
Richard shrugged. “I don’t know, but at least he bought us some time. We can go after him, now, and prevent the Sisters from having all three boxes, at least.”
Zedd scratched the hollow of his cheek as he gave Richard a sidelong glance. “Kind of reminds a fellow of the last time, doesn’t it…with Darken Rahl having to get the last box.”
Richard frowned over at his grandfather. “What are you saying?”
Zedd shrugged. “Nothing. I’m just saying.”
“Saying what?”
“Like I said, kind of reminds one of the last time, that’s all.” Zedd clapped Richard on the shoulder. “Well, come on. Rikka has dinner ready. We’ll all get a good meal before we lay out some ideas for how to proceed.”
“That sounds great to me.”
“How do you know? I haven’t even told you what she’s cooking.”
“No, I mean…Never mind. Let’s go.”