Wizard's First Rule

The hawk stayed on his arm as the Bird Man pulled the door open and motioned them inside. A small fire was burning in a pit at the back end, offering a little light to the otherwise dark room. A hole in the roof above the fire let the smoke out, although it did a poor job of it, and left the place with a sharp smoky smell. Pottery bowls left from past meals lay about the floor, and a plank shelf along one wall held a good two dozen ancestral skulls. Otherwise, the room was empty. The Bird Man found a place near the center of the room where the rain wasn't dripping, and sat down on the dirt floor. Kahlan and Richard sat side by side, facing him, as the hawk watched their movements.

The Bird Man looked at Kahlan's eyes. She could tell he was used to having people be afraid when he looked at them, even if it wasn't warranted. She could tell because she was used to the same thing. This time he found no fear.

"Mother Confessor, you have not yet chosen a mate. " He gently stroked the hawk's head while he watched her.

Kahlan decided she didn't like his tone. He was testing. "No.

Are you offering yourself?"

He smiled slightly. "No. I apologize. I did not mean to offend you. Why are you not with a wizard?"

"All the wizards, save two, are dead. Of those two, one sold his.services to a queen. The other was struck down by an underworld beast, and lies in a sleep. There are none left to protect me. All the other Confessors have been killed. We are in dark times.»

His eyes looked genuinely sympathetic, but his tone still was not. "It is dangerous for a Confessor to be alone.»

"Yes, and it is also dangerous for a man to be alone with a Confessor who is in great want of something. From where I sit, it would seem that you are in greater danger than 1.»

«Perhaps,» he said, stroking the hawk, his slight smile returning. "Perhaps. This one is a true Seeker? One named by a wizard?"

"Yes."

The Bird Man nodded. "It has been many years since I have seen a true Seeker. A Seeker who was not a real Seeker came here one time. He killed some of my people when we would not give him what he wanted."

"I am sorry for them, " she said.

He shook his head slowly. "Do not be. They died quickly. Be sorry for the Seeker. He did not. " The hawk blinked as it looked at her. "l have never seen a pretend Seeker, but 1 have seen this one in the rage. Believe me, you and your people do not want to ever give this one cause to draw his sword in anger. He knows how to use the magic. 1 have even seen him strike down evil spirits.»

He studied her eyes for a moment, seeming to judge the truth of what she said. "Thank you for the warning. I will remember your words.»

Richard spoke up at last. "Are you two about done threatening each other?"

Kahlan looked at him in surprise. "I thought you couldn't understand their language."

"Can't. But I can understand eyes. If looks caused sparks, this place would be ablaze."

Kahlan turned back to the Bird Man. "The Seeker wishes to know if we are finished threatening each other.»

He glanced at Richard and then back to her. "He is an impatient man, is he not?"

She nodded. "l have told him so myself. He denies it. " "It must be a burden traveling with him.»

Kahlan broke into a smile. "Not at all.»

The Bird Man returned her smile, and then addressed his gaze to Richard. "If we choose not to help you, how many of us will you kill?"

Kahlan interpreted the words as they spoke.

"None."

The Bird Man studied the hawk as he asked, "And if we choose not to help Darken Rahl, how many of us will he kill?"

"Sooner or later, a great many."

He took his hand away from the hawk, and looked at Richard with his sharp eyes. "It.would seem you argue for us to help Darken Rahl.»

A smile spread across Richard's face. "If you choose not to help me and remain neutral, foolish as that would be, it is your right, and I will harm none of your people. But Rahl will. I will press on and fight against him with my last breath if need be."

His face took on a dangerous expression. He leaned forward. "If, on the other hand, you choose to help Darken Rahl, and I defeat him, I will come back, and…" He pulled his finger across his throat in a quick gesture that needed no translation.

The Bird Man sat stone-faced, no quick retort at hand. "We wish only to be left alone, " he said at last.