The pillars of creation

Jennsen was astonished yet again, in this astonishing day, to see Friedrich Gilder, the husband of Althea, climb down from the wagon and make his way over to them.

"That's mine," he said. He looked under the rock. "You have more."

After a moment, the hand began passing out more leather and cloth purses. "There, you have all my money. Let me out, now."

"Oh," Friedrich said, "I don't think I could lift that rock. Especially not for the man who is responsible for the death of my wife."

"Althea died?" Jennsen asked in shock.

"I'm afraid so. My sunshine has gone from my life."

"I'm so sorry," she whispered. "She was a good woman."

Friedrich smiled. "Yes, she was." He pulled a small smooth stone from his pocket. "But she left me this, and that much is a pleasure."

"Isn't that odd," Tom said in wonder. He fished around in his pocket until he came up with something. He opened his hand to reveal a small smooth stone sitting in his palm. "I have one of those, too. I always carry it as a good-luck charm."

Friedrich eyed him suspiciously. He grinned at last. "She has smiled on you, too, then."

"I can't breathe," came a muffled voice from under the rock. "Please, it hurts. I can't move. Let me out."

Richard held his hand out toward the rock. There came a grinding sound and a sword floated from under the rock. He bent and pulled his scabbard out, dragging the baldric out behind. He wiped the dust off and placed the baldric over his shoulder, the scabbard at his hip. The sword was magnificent, a proper weapon for the Lord Rahl.

Jennsen saw the gleaming gold word «TRUTH» on the hilt.

"You faced all those soldiers, and you didn't even have your sword," Jennsen said. "I guess your magic was better defense."

Richard smiled as he shook his head. "My ability works through need and anger. With Kahlan taken, I had plenty of need, and a ready rage." He lifted the hilt clear of the scabbard until she could again see the word spelled out in gold. "This weapon works all the time."

"How did you know where we were?" Jennsen asked him. "How did you know where Kahlan was?"

Richard burnished a thumb over the single gold word on the hilt of his sword. "My grandfather gave me this. King Oba, there, stole it when, with the Keeper's help, he captured Kahlan. This sword is rather special. I have a connection to it; I can sense where it is. The Keeper no doubt induced Oba to take it in order to entice me here."

"Please," Oba called, "I can't breathe."

"Your grandfather?" Jennsen asked, ignoring Oba's distress, his weeping. "You mean, Wizard Zorander?"

Richard's whole face softened with a splendid grin. "You've met Zedd, then. He's wonderful, isn't he?"

"He tried to kill me," Jennsen muttered.

"Zedd?" Richard scoffed. "Zedd's harmless."

"Harmless? He-"

The Mord-Sith, Cara, poked at Jennsen with the red rod she had-the Agiel.

"What are you doing?" Jennsen asked. "Stop that."

"That doesn't do anything to you?"

"No," Jennsen said, scowling. "No more than it did when Nyda did it.»

Cara's eyebrow went up. "You've met Nyda?" She looked up at Richard. "And she can still walk. I'm impressed."

"She's immune to magic," Richard said. "That's why your Agiel won't work on her, either."

Cara, with a sly smile, looked over at Kahlan.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Kahlan asked.

"She might just be able to solve our little problem," Cara said, her wicked grin growing.

"Now, I suppose," Richard said in ill humor, "you're going to have her touch it, too."

"Well," Cara said defensively, "someone has to. You don't want me to do it again, do you?"

"No!»

"What are you three talking about?" Jennsen asked.

"We have some urgent problems," Richard said. "If you'd like to help, I think you just might have the special talent it takes to get us out of a serious bind."

"Really? You mean you want me to go with you?"

"If you're willing," Kahlan said. She leaned on Richard, looking like she was at the end of her strength.

"Tom," Richard said, "might we-"

"Of course!" Tom said, dashing over to offer his arm to Kahlan. "Come on over. I have some nice blankets in back where you can lay down-just ask Jennsen, they're real comfortable. I'll drive you back up the easy way."

"That would be much appreciated," Richard said. "It's just about dark. We'd better stay here for the night and ride out as soon as it's light enough. Hopefully, before it gets too hot."

"The rest of them will want to sit back there with the Mother Confessor, I expect," Tom whispered to Jennsen. "If you don't mind, you could ride up on the seat with me."

"First I want to know something-the truth, now," Jennsen said. "If you're a defender to Lord Rahl, what would you have done, standing over there, if I had harmed Lord Rahl?"

Tom looked down at her with a serious expression. "Jennsen, if I really thought that you would or could, I'd have put this knife in you before you had the chance."

Jennsen smiled. "Good. I'll ride with you, then. My horse is up there," she said pointing up past the Pillars of Creation. "I've become good friends with Rusty."