Wizard's First Rule

"Then, can you tell me the name of a person, other than Rahl, who is not in possession of the last box, who is not near it, but who knows where it is?"

"There is one we can name. She knows where the box is. If we tell you her name, that would not lead you to the box, only to her This is allowed. It will be up to you, not us, to get whatever information you might.»

"That is my question, then: who is it? Name her."

When they uttered the name, Kahlan froze with a jolt. She didn't translate. The elders shook at the mere name, spoken aloud.

"Who is it? What's her name'?" Richard demanded of her.

Kahlan looked up at him.

"We are as good as dead," she whispered.

"Why? Who, is it?"

Kahlan sank back, into herself. "It is the witch woman, Shota."

"And do you know where she is?"

Kahlan nodded, her brow wrinkled in terror. "In the Agaden Reach." She whispered the name as if even the words tasted of poison. "Not even a wizard would dare to go into the Reach."

Richard studied the visage of fear in her face, and looked to the elders as they shook.

"Then we go to Agaden Reach, to this witch woman, Shota," he said in an even voice, "and find out where the box is."

"We wish you kind fates, " the spirits said, through the Bird Man. "The lives of our descendants depend upon you.»

"Thank you for your help, honored ancestors,", Richard said. "I will do my best to stop Rahl. To help our people."

"You must use your head. That is Darken Rahl's way. Meet him on his terms, and you will lose. It will not be easy. You will have to suffer, as will our people, as will other people, before you have even a chance to succeed. And in all probability, you will still fail. Heed our warning, Richard With The Temper.»

"I will remember the things you say. I pledge to do my best."

"Then we will test the truth of your pledge. There is something else we would tell you. " They paused for a moment. "Darken Rahl is here. He looks for you.»

Kahlan translated in a rush, jumping to her feet. Richard came up beside her.

"What! He is here now? Where is he, what is he doing'?"

"He is in the center of the village. He is killing people.»

Fear raged through Kahlan. Richard took a step forward. `I have to get out of here. I have to get my sword. I have to try to stop him!"

"If you wish. But hear us out first. Sit, " they commanded.

Richard and Kahlan sank back down, looking wide-eyed at each other, clutching each other's hands. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Hurry, then," Richard said.

"Darken Rahl wants you. Your sword cannot kill him. Tonight, the balance of power is on his side. If you go out there, he will kill you. You will have no chance. None. In order to win, you must change the balance of power, something you cannot do this night. The people he kills tonight will die whether or not you go out to fight him. If you do go out, more will die in the end. Many more. If you are to succeed, you must have the courage to let these die tonight. You must save yourself to fight at another time. You must suffer this pain. You must heed your head rather than your sword, if you are to have a chance to win.»

"But I have to go out sooner or later!"

"Darken Rahl has loosed many dark terrors. He must balance many things, including his time. He does not have the time to wait all night. He is confident, with good reason, that he can defeat you at any time of his choosing. He has no reason to wait. He will be gone soon, to tend to other dark matters, to look for you another day.

"The.symbols painted upon you open our eyes to you, so we may see you. They close his eyes to you; he cannot see you. Unless you draw your sword. That, he will be able to see; then he would nave you. As long as the symbols are upon you, and the magic of your sword remains in its scabbard, while you are in Mud People territory he cannot find you.»

"But I can't stay here!"

"Not if you wish to stop him. When you leave our territory, the power of the symbols will be gone, and he will be able to see you again.»

Richard's clenched fists shook. Kahlan could see by the look on his face that he was close to disregarding the warning, close to going out to fight.

"The choice is yours, " the spirits said. "Wait in here while he kills some of our people, and when he is gone, go after the box, to kill him. Or go out now, and accomplish nothing." Richard closed his eyes tight. His chest rose and fell with his labored breathing.

"I will wait," he said in a voice she could barely hear.

Kahlan threw her arms around his neck, putting her head against his, as they both cried. The circle of elders began spinning around again.