Temple of the Winds

Zedd flicked a hand. "Ah, well, you'll learn, someday, Richard. This wizard business is very complicated. Someday, when you decide to do something with your gift, other than sit around with your intended while I'm out risking my neck, then you will see. By the way, what have you been up to, while all the important work has been going on?"

"What have I been up to?" Kahlan smiled as she put a hand on his shoulder while Richard tried to think how to begin. "Ah, well, I'm the Lord Rahl, now, and all."

Zedd grunted and flopped down on the wooden platform. "Lord Rahl, indeed." He scooped up a roasted pepper. "The paperwork must be grueling."

Richard scratched his head while Ann sat down. "Zedd, can you answer something for me? Why are the books in the First Wizard's private enclave stacked up in wobbly columns?"

"It's a telltale, of sorts. I remember how they're stacked, so that if anyone has touched them, I'll know it." Zedd's hazel eyes opened wide. "What? Bags, Richard, what were you doing in there? That's a dangerous place! And how did you get in there?" Zedd pointed at Richard's chest. "That amulet! It's from in there. How did you get in there? Bags, Richard! Where's the Sword of Truth? I entrusted the sword to you! You weren't foolish enough to give it to someone?"

"Uh, well…I couldn't travel in the sliph with it, so I had to leave it in the First Wizard's enclave, so no one could get at it."

"Sliph? What's a sliph? Richard, you're the Seeker. You have to have your sword-it's your weapon. You can't just leave it lying about places."

"When you gave it to me, you told me that the sword was just a tool, and that " it is the Seeker that is the true weapon."

"So I did. But I didn't think you were listening." Zedd peered up at him. "You didn't mess with the books, I hope. You don't know enough to be allowed to read any of them."

"Just one. Tagenricht ost fuer Mosst Verlaschendreck nich Greschlechten." "That's High D'Haran." Zedd dismissed the matter with a wave. "No one knows High D'Haran anymore. At least you can't get into trouble with a book you can't read." Zedd shook his finger. "And you still haven't said how you got in there!

"It wasn't all that hard to get in." The mirth melted from Richard's face. "It was a lot easier than it was getting into the Temple of the Winds."

Both Zedd and Ann shot to their feet. "The Temple of the Winds!" they said as one. "Temple of the Winds Inquisition and Trial-that's what the book was. I've kind of had to learn High D'Haran." Richard put his arm around Kahlan's shoulders. "Jagang sent Sister Amelia there. She entered through something called Betrayer's Hall. She betrayed the Keeper to get in.

"She came back with magic and started a plague. It killed thousands of people. She started it among children-at Jagang's instruction. We watched, helpless, while children and friends died.

"There was no other way. I had to go there to stop the plague, or it would have been a firestorm that would have consumed nearly everyone."

One of the women who prepared the special meat approached, carrying a tray of neatly arranged dried strips. She offered the tray to Chandalen first: he was an elder, now. Chandalen tore off a bite as he looked up at Richard. Richard knew what the meat was. He took a big piece.

Kahlan had always refused to eat this dish in the past. This time, when offered, she took a piece. Chandalen watched her pull off a bite.

Zedd took a piece, and then the tray was offered to Ann. Kahlan was going to say something, but Zedd shot her a silencing glance. They ate in silence a moment before Richard asked, "Who is it?" "The commander of the men of the Order who came here and attacked us to get the Jocopo Treasure that Zedd burned." Ann's eyes came up. "You mean. .?"

"We fight a battle for our existence," Richard said. "If we lose. we all die. and the man who started a plague among children will rule those still alive. All magic will be eliminated. Those left will be his slaves. The Mud People do this so that they might know the hearts of their enemy, and save their families." Richard glared at her. "Eat it, so that you, too, may know the enemy better." It was not Richard but Lord Rahl who had spoken.

Ann watched his eyes for a moment, and then started chewing. They all ate the strip of their enemy's flesh to know him better.

"Sister Amelia," Ann finally whispered. "If she has been to the Temple of the Winds. . she will be beyond dangerous."

"She's dead," Kahlan said, haunted by the memory of it all. When Ann's questioning eyes looked at her, Kahlan added, "Yes, I am sure. I put a sword through her heart. She had a dacra in Nathan's leg. She was going to kill him."

"Nathan!" Ann said. "We must soon be off to find him. Where was this? Where is he?"

Zedd scowled over at Ann. "We?"

"It was in Tanimura, in the Old World, just after Richard came back from the Temple of the Winds. Nathan helped me save Richard's life by telling me the three chimes."