The pillars of creation

Jennsen walked away from a scowling Sister Perdita, sticking close to Sebastian's side, pulling Rusty along behind. The other thing about the journey that had been unexpected-in addition to the escort of the thousand troops-had been that Sister Perdita had decided to come along. She said that it was necessary, in case Jennsen needed any more help in getting close to Lord Rahl.

Jennsen just wanted to plunge her knife into that murderous bastard son of Darken Rahl and be done with it all. She had long since given up any hope of it freeing her to have her own life. After that night in the woods with Sister Perdita and the seven other Sisters, everything had changed. Jennsen had made a bargain that she knew would mean she would have no life after she finally killed Richard Rahl. But at least everyone else would have their lives back. The world would at last be free of her half brother and his evil rule.

And she would have vengeance. Her mother, who had been denied even a proper burial, could at last rest in peace knowing that her murderer had finally been visited with justice. That was all Jennsen could do for her mother.

Jennsen and Sebastian led Rusty and Pete to where the Sister's horse was waiting, in a small side paddock. Rusty and Pete welcomed the shade and the water trough.

After closing the small rickety gate to the paddock, Jennsen followed

Sebastian into the shadow of the doorway of the squat building. The jabbering voices of the men echoing inside the single room fell silent. All the men were swathed in the traditional black robes of the nomadic traders who lived in this part of the world.

"Leave us, then," the lead man said, waving his fellows out at seeing Sebastian and Jennsen enter.

The men, their eyes peering out at her from gaps in the black cloth they were pulling back up across their mouths and noses, nodded as they filed by. By their crinkled exposed eyes, the men seemed to be smiling congenially at her from beneath the masks, but she couldn't be sure. Just in case, and considering what was at stake, she smiled back as she returned a bow of her head.

The stagnant air inside the room was sweltering, but at least the shade was a relief. The one man remaining inside hadn't pulled the loose wraps of black cloth back up, so they sagged around his neck, away from his smiling, weathered, leathery face.

"Please," he said to Jennsen, "come in. You look fiery."

"Fiery?" she asked.

"Hot," he said. "You are not dressed for this place." He shuffled over to the rough plank shelves at the side and returned with one of the black bundles stored there. "Please to wear this." He lifted it toward her several times, urging her to take it. "It will make you better. It will cover you from the sun and hold in your sweat so you don't dry like rock."

Jennsen again bowed her head toward the small wiry man and smiled her appreciation. "Thank you."

"Well?" Sebastian asked when the man turned away from Jennsen. Sebastian wearily pulled his pack off his back. "Any luck finding out anything from those other men?"

The black-robed figure hesitated, clearing his throat. "Well, they say that maybe. ."

Sebastian impatiently rolled his eyes when he caught the man's veiled meaning, and then fished around in his pocket until he came up with a silver coin. "Please accept this gesture of my appreciation for the efforts of your men."

The man took it respectfully, but it was clear the silver coin was not the price he was hoping for. He seemed hesitant, though, to say that he found the amount inadequate. Jennsen couldn't believe that Sebastian was quibbling about money at a time like this. She pulled a heavy gold coin from her pocket and, without bothering to ask Sebastian if it was all right, simply flipped it to the man. The man caught the gold in midair, then opened his fist just enough for a peek of confirmation. He grinned his appreciation at her. Sebastian shot her a look of displeasure.

It was Lord Rahl's blood money, the money he had given the men sent to kill her and her mother. She could think of no better use for it.

"I don't need it," she said before he could lecture her. "Besides, aren't you the one who said it was your way to use what was close to the enemy to get back at him?"

Sebastian withheld any comment and turned to the man. "What about it?"

"Late yesterday," the man said, finally more forthcoming, "some of our men spotted two people going down into the Pillars of Creation." He went to a small, uncovered window beside shelves stocked with simple supplies along with more of the black outfits. He pointed. "Down that way. There is a trail of sorts."

"Did your men talk to them?" Jennsen asked, stepping forward impatiently. "Do your men know who it was?"