The Third Kingdom

It would take but one touch and that would be the end of Abbot Ludwig Dreier. He would not stand a chance against such a touch. It would be wise for him to be more cautious.

“You said dead men,” he repeated when Ester looked too intimidated to go on, too afraid to explain any further.

She fumbled with a button on a pocket as Dreier stared at her, waiting for her to speak.

The Mord-Sith glared unflinchingly at Kahlan.

“Well, yes. They looked like dead men, anyway,” she explained in a rush. “I know it sounds crazy, and I can offer no explanation. I can only tell you what we saw. We were attacked by men that looked like corpses freshly dug up from a grave. They looked like the walking dead. They appeared suddenly in our midst and killed a number of people in the village. They injured many more.”

Kahlan thought that it did indeed sound crazy, but Ester didn’t strike her as the crazy type.

“Really,” the abbot drawled. He turned to the Mord-Sith. “Dead men. Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

The blond woman’s eyes turned to him as she shook her head. “Can’t say that I have.”

He turned his attention back to Ester. “And how were you able to stop this attack?”

“Lord Rahl killed them all.”

He arched an eyebrow. “I thought you said that they were dead men. How could he kill men who were already dead?”

“Not killed them, exactly.” She made little swishing motions with her hand. “Hacked them to pieces, actually. Hacked them to bits and had us burn the pieces.”

He sighed audibly. “Ah, well, thank goodness Lord Rahl was handy, at least. It might have been a slaughter, otherwise.”

“Yes,” Ester said, “it would have been, but it was still a horrible ordeal for the people here. Many people lost their lives. Many more were seriously injured. We are all still trying to recover from it, trying to help those who were hurt and are still suffering.”

“Well,” the abbot said, “I can certainly understand that the people of Stroyza have a lot on their hands at the moment.” He rubbed a finger back and forth on his chin, frowning in thought. “Maybe we can find someone else who would want to volunteer in place of someone from your village.”

Ester quickly dipped her head. “The consideration would be very much appreciated, Abbot.”

His deliberate gaze turned to Kahlan.

“What are you doing here, Dreier?” Kahlan asked in a cold tone to bring the phony chitchat to a halt.

He shrugged with a smile. “Why, seeking help with prophecy, Mother Confessor, that’s all. I am but a humble servant of Bishop Hannis Arc. I provide him with prophecy so that it might help guide him in his rule of Fajin Province. And, I suppose, the rule of other lands that have so recently come to him for such guidance as he may be able to provide.”

Ester inched forward, still fumbling with the button. She gestured toward Kahlan.

“Abbot Dreier, I’m afraid that the Mother Confessor is quite ill. She has been through a terrible ordeal herself. I was just tending to her. She is very weak and needs rest.

“I know that you would want her to get that crucial rest so that she might get well as soon as possible.” She tilted her head forward just a bit. “I’m sure that Lord Rahl would appreciate your understanding about his wife’s recent ordeal, and be grateful to you for leaving her to her rest.”

Dreier stared at the woman for a moment with that frozen smile of his and then made a show of glancing around. “Lord Rahl—is he about, then? He hacked those dead men to pieces, so he must be around. I would like to congratulate him, personally, on behalf of the people of not only Stroyza, but all of Fajin Province for his brave assistance in stopping such a dire threat. He has once again proven himself the protector of innocent people. I would personally like to thank him.”

Ester cleared her throat. “I’m afraid that he had to leave—briefly. He should be back anytime, I’m sure. Anytime.”

“I see.” The abbot smoothed the front of his coat.”Well, in the meantime, I myself have a bit of talent with healing. I should lend a hand, as it were, to assist our Mother Confessor.”

“But Samantha already…” Ester’s voice trailed off when he turned an icy glare on her.

After the look had backed Ester a step, he turned back to Kahlan and went to one knee beside her. He reached out to touch her forehead. She pulled her head back, out of his reach as she put her arm up to to block his hand.

“That won’t be necessary. I only need rest, now.”

Before she could stop him, he pushed her arm away. “Now, now, Mother Confessor, don’t be shy about accepting my small offer of help. Won’t take but a moment to see if there is anything more that I might be able to do.”

His first two fingers touched her forehead. He bowed his head in concentration. “Let me just check to see…”

The oddest look came over his face. His eyes abruptly turned up to meet her gaze.

And then the slightest hint of a smile turned up the corners of his mouth as he leaned back.