Blood of the Fold (Sword of Truth 3)

Richard bowed. “General Baldwin, I’m pleased to meet you. I am Richard Rahl.”

The general at last regained his composure and returned the bow. “Lord Rahl, I am honored that you would see me on such short notice.”

Richard gestured. “Cara, please bring a chair for the general. He must be weary from his travel.”

After Cara had placed a simple tufted leather chair before the table, and the general had seated himself, Richard sat in his own chair behind the table. “What can I do for you, General Baldwin?”

The general glanced up at Raina standing behind his left shoulder, and Cara behind his right. Both women stood relaxed and silent with their hands clasped behind their backs, sending the unequivocal message that they had no intention of going anywhere.

“You may speak freely, General. I trust these two to watch over me when I sleep.”

He took a breath and seemed to relax a bit, accepting the assurance. “Lord Rahl, I’ve come about the queen.”

Richard had thought that might be it. He folded his hands on the table. “I’m very sorry about what happened, General.”

The general rested an arm on the table as he leaned in. “Yes, I’ve heard about the mriswith. I saw some of the loathsome beasts on the pikes outside.”

Richard had to stop himself when he almost said that they might be beasts, but they weren’t loathsome. A mriswith, after all, had killed Cathryn Lumholtz as she was about to murder him, but the general wasn’t likely to understand, so Richard kept it to himself, and said instead, “I deeply regret that your queen was killed while under my roof.”

The general flipped his hand dismissively. “I meant no imputation, Lord Rahl. What I mean is that I’ve come about Kelton being without a king or queen, now that Cathryn Lumholtz is dead. She was the last successor to the throne, and with her sudden death, it presents a problem.”

Richard kept his voice friendly, but official. “What sort of problem? You are part of us, now.”

The man distorted his features in an offhanded expression. “Yes, we received the surrender documents. But the queen who led us is now dead. While she was in power, she acted within her authority, but we find ourselves at a loss as to how to proceed.”

Richard frowned. “You mean you need a new queen, or king?”

He shrugged apologetically. “It is our way to have a monarch lead our people. Even if it’s only symbolic, now that we’ve surrendered to the union with D’Hara, it gives the Keltish people esteem to have a king or queen. Without one the people feel that they are no more than nomads, without roots—without anything in common to tie them together.

“Since there is no Lumholtz in line of succession, one of the other Houses could come to the fore. None has the right to claim the throne, but one could eventually win the right. A contested throne could cause a civil war, though.”

“I see,” Richard said. “You realize, of course, that whoever you choose for your king or queen doesn’t make any difference as far as your surrender is concerned. The surrender is irrevocable.”

“It’s not so simple. That’s why I’ve come to seek your help.”

“How can I help?”

The general kneaded his chin. “You see, Lord Rahl, Queen Cathryn surrendered Kelton to you, but now she’s dead. Until we have a new monarch, we are your subjects. You are the equivalent of our king until a true monarch is named. However, if one of these Houses ascends to the throne, it could be that they see it differently.”

Richard kept his tone from sounding as threatening as he felt. “I don’t care how they see it. That river has been crossed.”

The general waggled his hand as if to implore patience. “I think the future lies with you, Lord Rahl. The problem is that if the wrong House finally comes to the throne, they might have different ideas. Quite frankly, I would never have thought that the House of Lumholtz would have chosen to go with you and D’Hara. You must have been very persuasive to make the queen see reason.

“Some of these dukes and duchesses are talented at playing games of power, but not at what is in the best interest of all. These duchies are almost sovereign, and their subjects bow only to a monarch. There are those who would speak persuasively for Kelton to heed the word of the Crown, and not D’Hara, should one of the wrong Houses come to the throne and declare the surrender invalid. Civil war would be the result.

“I’m a soldier, and view events with a soldier’s eyes. A soldier likes least of all fighting in a civil war. I have men from every duchy. Civil war would tear the unity of the army apart, destroy us, and leave us vulnerable to true enemies.”

Richard filled the silence. “I’m listening, go on.”

“As I said, as a man who understands the value of unity, of unified authority, I think the future lies with you. Right now, until there is a new ruler on the throne, you are the law.”

General Baldwin leaned sideways against the table and lowered his voice meaningfully. “Since you are the law at the moment, if you were to name a king or queen, then that would settle the matter. See what I mean? The Houses would be obligated to honor the new ruler, and go with you, if the new ruler says it is to be as has already been done.”

Richard squinted. “You make it sound like a game, General. Moving this piece on the board to block an opposing piece before the opponent has his turn to take your marker.”

He smoothed down his mustache. “It’s your move, Lord Rahl.”

Richard leaned back in his chain. “I see.” He thought a moment, not knowing how he was going to get out of this. Maybe he could ask the general’s advice as to which House would be loyal. He didn’t think that would be wise, though, trusting a man who just walked in and announced his intent to help. It could be a ruse.

He glanced at Cara, who stood to the side behind the general. Her shoulders were hunched and her face wore a silent, confounded expression. When he moved his gaze to Raina, she signaled that she, too, didn’t have any suggestions.

Richard rose and went to the window, staring out at the people in the city. He wished Kahlan were here. She knew all about this kind of thing: the ways of royalty and rulers. This taking-over-the-Midlands business was constantly proving more complicated than he had expected.

He could simply order this nonsense stopped, and send in D’Haran troops to enforce his orders, but that would waste valuable men taking care of what should already be settled. He could leave the matter until later, but he needed Kelton to remain loyal—other lands’ surrender hinged on Kelton. He already had Kelton, but if he made a mistake, all his plans could end in ashes.

Richard wished Kahlan would hurry up and get to Aydindril. She could tell him what he needed to do. Perhaps he could stall until she and Zedd arrived, and with her advice, do the right thing. She should be here soon. But would it be soon enough?

Kahlan, what should I do?

Kahlan.

Richard turned back to the waiting general. “Since Kelton needs a monarch to stand as a symbol of hope and leadership of all Keltish people, I shall name one for you.”

The general waited expectantly.

“By my authority as Master of D’Hara, to whom Kelton owes its allegiance, I name your queen.

“From this day forward, Kahlan Amnell is the queen of Kelton.”

General Baldwin’s eyes widened as he came out of his chair. “You name Kahlan Amnell as our Queen?”

Richard hardened his gaze as his hand settled on the hilt of his sword. “I do. All Kelton will bow to her. Like your surrender, this order is irrevocable.”

General Baldwin dropped to his knees, his head hanging low. “Lord Rahl, I can hardly believe you would do this for my people. We are grateful.”

Richard, his hand on the verge of drawing his sword, paused at the general’s words. He hadn’t expected such a reaction.

The general finally came to his feet before the table. “Lord Rahl, I must leave at once to bring this glorious news to our troops. They will be as honored as I to be the subj

ects of Kahlan Amnell.”

Richard, unsure how to react, remained noncommittal. “I’m pleased that you would accept my choice, General Baldwin.”

The general spread his arms. “Accept? This is beyond my hopes, Lord Rahl. Kahlan Amnell is the queen of Galea. It has been a cause of strife in our land that the Mother Confessor herself would serve as queen to our rival, Galea, but to now have her as our queen, too, well, it will prove that the Lord Rahl holds us in the same high esteem as Galea. When you are wedded to her, you will be wedded to our people, too, the same as the Galeans.”

Richard was stiff and speechless. How did the man know that Kahlan was the Mother Confessor? Dear spirits, what had happened?

General Baldwin reached out and pulled Richard’s hand from his sword, clasping it in a warm embrace. “Lord Rahl, this is the greatest honor our people have ever received: to have the Mother Confessor herself as our queen. Thank you, Lord Rahl, thank you.”

General Baldwin was grinning joyously, but Richard was on the verge of panic. “It is my hope, General, that this will seal our unity.”