“Richard!”
His head came back down. “It’s all right. I’m all right,” he managed in a hoarse voice, but he was clearly still in pain.
The spirits moved around the circle, behind the elders, then settled into their
bodies, both spirit and man, in the same place at the same time. It gave the elders a soft, indefinite appearance around the edges. Their eyes came open.
“
Why have you called us?
” the Bird Man asked, in their hollow, harmonic voices.
She leaned a little toward Richard, keeping her eyes on the Bird Man. “They want you to say why you called this gathering.”
Richard took a few deep breaths, recovering from what they had done to him.
“I called this gathering because I must find an object of magic before Darken Rahl finds it. Before he can use it.”
Kahlan translated as the spirits talked to Richard through the elders.
“
How many men have you killed?
” Savidlin asked with spirit voices.
Richard answered without hesitation. “Two.”
“
Why?
” Hajanlet asked in their haunting tones.
“To keep them from killing me.”
“
Both?
”
He thought a moment. “The first one I killed in self-defense. The second I killed in defense of a friend.”
“
Do you think the defense of a friend gives you the right to kill?
” Arbrin’s mouth moved this time.
“Yes.”
“
Suppose he was going to kill your friend only to defend the life of his friend?
”
Richard took a deep breath. “What’s the point of the question?”
“
The point is, according to what you believe, that you think it is justified to kill in the defense of a friend, then if he was killing to defend a friend, he had the right to kill your friend. He was justified. Since he was justified, that would void your right, would it not?
”
“Not all questions have answers.”
“
Maybe not all questions have answers you like.
”
“Maybe.”
Kahlan could tell by his tone that Richard was getting angry. All the eyes of the elders, the spirits, were on him.
“
Did you enjoy killing this man?
”
“Which one?”
“
The first.
”
“No.”
“
The second.
”
Richard’s jaw muscles tightened. “What is the point of these questions?”
“
All questions have a different reason for being asked.
”
“And sometimes the reasons have nothing to do with the question?”
“
Answer the question.
”
“Only if you first tell me the reason for it.”
“
You came here to ask us questions. Shall we ask your reasons?
”
“It would seem you are.”
“
Answer our question or we will not answer yours.
”
“And if I answer it, will you promise to answer mine?”
“
We are not here to make bargains. We are here because we were called. Answer the question or the gathering is over.
”
Richard took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he stared up at the void. “Yes. I enjoyed killing him, because of the magic of the Sword of Truth. That is how it works. If I had killed him in another manner, without the sword, I would not have enjoyed it.”
“
Irrelevant.
”
“What?”
“
‘If’ is irrelevant. ‘Did’ is not. So, now you have given two reasons for killing the second man: to defend a friend; and because you enjoyed it. Which is the true reason?
”
“Both. I killed him to protect a friend’s life, and because of the sword, I enjoyed it.”
“
What if you did not need to kill to protect your friend? What if you were wrong in your assessment? What if the life of your friend was not in fact in danger?
”
Kahlan tensed at this question. She hesitated a moment before translating it.
“In my mind, the deed is not as important as the intent. I truly believed my friend’s life was in danger, therefore I felt justified in killing to protect her. I had only a moment to act. In my mind, indecision would have resulted in her death.
“If the spirits think I was wrong in killing, or that the one I killed may have been justified, voiding my right, then we have a disagreement. Some problems have no clear solution. Some problems don’t provide the time to analyze them. I had to act with my heart. As a wise man once told me, every murderer thinks he is justified in killing. I will kill to prevent myself or a friend, or an innocent, from being killed. If you feel that is wrong, tell me now so we can put an end to these painful questions, and I may go in search of the answers I need.”
“
As we said, we are not here to make bargains. You said that to your mind, the deed is not as important as the intent. Is there anyone you have intended to kill, but have not?
”
The sound of their voices was painful; Kahlan felt as if it was burning her skin.
“You have misinterpreted the context of what I said. I said I killed because I thought I had to, that I thought his intent was to kill her, therefore I thought I had to act or she would die. Not that my intent equates to the deed. There is probably a long list of people who, at one time or another, I have wanted to kill.”
“
If you wanted to, why have you not done so?
”
“Many reasons. For some, I had no true justification, it was only a mind game, a fantasy, to counter the sting of an injustice. For some, though I felt justified, I was able to escape without killing. Some, well, it just turned out that I didn’t, that’s all.”
“
The five elders?
”
Richard sighed. “Yes.”
“
But you intended to.
”
Richard didn’t answer.
“
Is this a case where the intent is as the deed?
”
Richard swallowed hard. “In my heart, yes. That I intended it wounds me almost as much as the deed would have.”
“
So then we have not, it would seem, gotten what you said entirely out of context.
”
Kahlan could see tears in Richard’s eyes. “Why are you asking me these questions!”
“
Why do you want the object of magic?
”
“To stop Darken Rahl!”
“
And how will getting this object stop him?
”
Richard leaned back a little. His eyes went wide. He understood. A tear ran down his cheek. “Because, if I can get the object, and keep it from him,” he whispered, “he will die. I will kill him in that way.”
“
What you are really asking us, then, is for our aid in killing another.
” Their voices echoed around her in the darkness.
Richard only nodded.
“
That is why we are asking you these questions. You are asking for our aid in killing. Do you not think it fair we should know what kind of person it is we would be helping in his attempt to kill?
”
Sweat was rolling off Richard’s face. “I guess so.” He closed his eyes.
“
Why do you want to kill this man?
”
“Many reasons.”
“
Why do you want to kill this man?
”
“Because he tortured and killed my father. Because he has tortured and killed many others. Because he will kill me if I don’t kill him. Because he will torture and kill many more if I don’t kill him. It is the only way to stop him. He cannot be reasoned with. I have no option but to kill him.”
“
Consider the next question carefully. Answer with the truth, or this gathering will end.
”
Richard nodded.
“
What is the reason, above all others, why you want to kill this man?
”
Richard looked down and closed his eyes again. “Because,” he whispered at last, tears running down his face, “if I don’t kill him, he will kill Kahlan.”
Kahlan felt as if she had been hit in the stomach. She could barely bring herself to translate the words. There was a long silence. Richard sat naked, in more ways than one. She was angry at the spirits for doing this to him. She was also deeply distraught by what she was doing to him. Shar had been right.
“
If Kahlan were not a factor, would you still try to kill this man?
”
“Absolutely. You asked the reason above all others. I told you.”
“
What is the object of magic you seek?
” they asked suddenly.
“Does that mean you agree with my reasons for killing?”
“
No. It means that for our own reasons, we have decided to answer your question. If we can. What is the object of magic you seek?
”
“One of the three boxes of Orden.”
When Kahlan translated, the spirits suddenly howled as if in pain. “
We are not allowed to answer that question. The boxes of Orden are in play. This gathering is over.
”
The elders’ eyes began to close. Richard jumped to his feet. “You would let Darken Rahl kill all those people when you have the power to help?”
“
Yes.
”
“You would let him kill your descendants? Your living flesh and blood? You aren’t spirit ancestors to our people, you are spirit traitors!”
“
Not true.
”
“Then tell me!”
“
Not allowed.
”
“Please! Don’t leave us without your help. Let me ask another question?”
“
We are not allowed to disclose where the boxes of Orden are. It is forbidden. Think, and ask another question.
”
Richard sat down, pulling his knees up. He rubbed his eyes with the tips of his fingers. The symbols painted all over him made him look like some kind of wild creature. He put his face in his hands, thinking. His head snapped up.
“You can’t tell me where the boxes are. Are there any other restrictions?”
“
Yes.
”
“How many boxes does Rahl already have?”
“
Two.
”
He looked at the elders evenly. “You have just disclosed where two of the boxes are. That is forbidden,” he reminded them. “Or maybe it is simply a gray shade of intent?”
Silence.
“
That information is not restricted. Your question?
”
Richard leaned forward like a dog on scent. “Can you tell me who knows where the last box is?”
Richard already knew the answer to this question, she suspected. She recognized his manner of slicing the loaf the other way.
“
We know the name of the person who has the box, and the names of several other people nearby, but we cannot tell you the names because that would be the same as telling you where it is. That is forbidden.
”
“Then, can you tell me the name of a person, other than Rahl, who is not in possession of the last box, who is not near it, but who knows where it is?”
“
There is one we can name. She knows where the box is. If we tell you her name, that would not lead you to the box, only to her. This is allowed. It will be up to you, not us, to get whatever information you might.
”
“That is my question, then: who is it? Name her.”
When they uttered the name, Kahlan froze with a jolt. She didn’t translate. The elders shook at the mere name, spoken aloud.
“Who is it? What’s her name?” Richard demanded of her.
Kahlan looked up at him.
“We are as good as dead,” she whispered.
“Why? Who is it?”
Kahlan sank back, into herself. “It is the witch woman, Shota.”
“And do you know where she is?”
Kahlan nodded, her brow wrinkled in terror. “In the Agaden Reach.” She whispered the name as if even the words tasted of poison. “Not even a wizard would dare to go into the Reach.”
Richard studied the visage of fear in her face, and looked to the elders as they shook.
“Then we go to Agaden Reach, to this witch woman, Shota,” he said in an even voice, “and find out where the box is.”
“
We wish you kind fates,
” the spirits said, through the Bird Man. “
The lives of our descendants depend upon you.
”
“Thank you for your help, honored ancestors,” Richard said. “I will do my best to stop Rahl. To help our people.”
“
You must use your head. That is Darken Rahl’s way. Meet him on his terms, and you will lose. It will not be easy. You will have to suffer, as will our people, as will other people, before you have even a chance to succeed. And in all probability, you will still fail. Heed our warning, Richard With The Temper.
”
“I will remember the things you say. I pledge to do my best.”
“
Then we will test the truth of your pledge. There is something else we would tell you.
” They paused for a moment. “
Darken Rahl is here. He looks for you.
”
Kahlan translated in a rush, jumping to her feet. Richard came up beside her.
“What! He is here now? Where is he, what is he doing?”
“
He is in the center of the village. He is killing people.
”
Fear raged through Kahlan. Richard took a step forward. “I have to get out of here. I have to get my sword. I have to try to stop him!”
“
If you wish. But hear us out first. Sit,
” they commanded.
Richard and Kahlan sank back down, looking wide-eyed at each other, clutching each other’s hands. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Hurry, then,” Richard said.
“
Darken Rahl wants you. Your sword cannot kill him. Tonight, the balance of power is on his side. If you go out there, he will kill you. You will have no chance. None. In order to win, you must change the balance of power, something you cannot do this night. The people he kills tonight will die whether or not you go out to fight him. If you do go out, more will die in the end. Many more. If you are to succeed, you must have the courage to let these die tonight. You must save yourself to fight at another time. You must suffer this pain. You must heed your head rather than your sword, if you are to have a chance to win.
”
“But I have to go out sooner or later!”
“
Darken Rahl has loosed many dark terrors. He must balance many things, including his time. He does not have the time to wait all night. He is confident, with good reason, that he can defeat you at any time of his choosing. He has no reason to wait. He will be gone soon, to tend to other dark matters, to look for you another day.