Phantom: Chainfire Trilogy Part 2

And then the rod broke against Kahlan's back. The larger piece spun out into the night. Sister Ulicia stood panting, in a blind rage, holding a useless stub. Kahlan expected to be killed, but in a way she no longer cared. There was no possibility of escape. There was no future for her. If she couldn't fight for the life of an innocent young woman then life was of no value to her.

"Ulicia," Armina whispered as she caught Ulicia's wrist. "She sees Kahlan. Just like that man at the inn."

Sister Ulicia stared at her companion, seemingly startled by the idea.

Sister Armina lifted an eyebrow. "We need to find out what's going on."

Sister Cecilia, a sinister glare twisting her features, not having heard what Sister Armina had said, stepped closer and stood over Kahlan. "How dare you defy a Sister? We're going to skin this brat alive and make you watch the whole thing to teach you a lesson."

"Sister?" The girl asked. "Are you all sisters?"

The night suddenly seemed impossibly quiet. Kahlan's world spun sickeningly. Each breath felt like knives twisting between her ribs. Tears from the pain of the blows ran down her face. She couldn't stop trembling, but still she would not abandon the girl.

Sister Ulicia tossed the end of the broken oak rod aside. "We are Sisters. What of it?" she asked, suspiciously.

"Tovi told me to watch for you, although you don't look to me much like Tovi's sisters."

Everyone paused.

"Tovi?" Sister Ulicia cautiously asked.

The girl nodded. She peeked out past Kahlan's shoulder. "She's an older woman. She's big, bigger than any of you, and she doesn't really look like your sister, but she told me to go out and watch for her sisters. She said that the three of you had another woman with you."

"And why would a girl like you agree to do as Tovi asked?"

The girl brushed her dark hair back from her face. She hesitated, then answered. "She is holding my grandfather captive. She said that if I didn't do as she said, then she would kill him."

Ulicia smiled the way Kahlan imagined a snake would smile, if a snake could smile. "Well, well. I guess you really do know Tovi. Where is she, then?"

Kahlan pushed herself up on an arm. The girl pointed toward the headland. "There. She is in a place with old books. She made me show her where the books were kept. She told me to guide you to her."

Sister Ulicia shared a look with the other two. "Perhaps she's already located the central site in Caska."

Sister Armina cackled with relief as she jovially clapped Sister Cecilia on the back of the shoulder. Sister Cecilia returned the gesture in kind.

"How far is it?" Sister Ulicia asked, suddenly eager.

"It will take all of two days, maybe three, if we leave at first light in the morning."

Sister Ulicia peered off into the darkness for a moment. "Two or three days…" She turned back. "What's your name?"

"Jillian."

Sister Ulicia kicked Kahlan in the side, the unexpected blow rolling her off the girl. "Well, Jillian, you can have Kahlan's bedroll. She won't be needing it. She's going to stand for the night as punishment."

"Please," Jillian said as she laid a hand on Kahlan's arm, "if not for her, you would now be without a guide to the place where Tovi is. Please don't punish her. She did you a favor."

Sister Ulicia considered a moment. "I'll tell you what, Jillian. Since you spoke up for our disobedient slave, I'll let you make sure that she doesn't sit down during the night. If she does disobey us, I will give her a beating that will leave her with a painful limp for the rest of her life. But you can prevent that by making sure she stands the entire night. What do you think of that?"

Jillian swallowed, but didn't answer.

Sister Ulicia snatched Kahlan by the hair and hauled her to her feet. "Make sure she stays on her feet, or what we do to her will be your fault for not making sure that she did as she was told. Understand?"

Jillian, her copper-colored eyes wide, nodded.

Sister Ulicia smiled a sly smile. "Good." She turned to the other two. "Come on. Let's get some sleep."

After they had gone, Kahlan gently laid a hand on the top of the head of the girl sitting at her feet.

"Glad to meet you, Jillian," Kahlan whispered so that the Sisters wouldn't hear.

Jillian smiled up at her, and whispered. "Thank you for protecting me. Your promise was true." She gently took Kahlan's hand and held it to her cheek for a moment. "You are the bravest person I've seen since Richard."

"Richard?"

"Richard Rahl. He was here before. He saved my grandfather, before, but now…"

Jillian's voice trailed off as she looked away from Kahlan's gaze. Kahlan gently stroked the girl's head, hoping to comfort her heartache for her grandfather. She gestured, pointing with her chin.

"Go in that saddlebag, there, Jillian, and get yourself something to eat." She was trembling from the pain, and wanted very much to lie down, but Kahlan knew that Sister Ulicia had not made an empty threat. "Then if you would, please… just sit with me for the night? I could use a friend tonight."