Shota collapsed with the snake’s fangs still sunk deep into her throat. She mumbled something in the delirium of the lethal venom pumping through her body. Her hands fell away from the snake even as it continued to flex and pump venom into her.
Shota gasped once, deep and desperate, and then the breath left her lungs with a sickening rattle. After that breath had gurgled out, she lay still and breathed no more.
Kahlan realized that the snakes that had been crawling all over her were gone. They had died out with the witch woman who had conjured them.
She stood stunned at how fast it had all happened. Grasping the relevance of the white snake, the near-instant crystallization of a plan, and the execution of that plan had all happened in a flash.
She blinked in surprise as Shale raced up and threw her arms around her.
“Mother Confessor! You understood! I was so hoping that you would realize that the white snake was mine.”
In gratitude and relief, Kahlan embraced her tightly for a moment.
“I remembered the white snakes from when you used them before, on the Glee.”
Shale pushed back and grinned at Kahlan. “That’s right. I was hoping you would remember. Shota’s power prevented me from using my gift against her—any magic used against her would only have reflected back to me. This was the only chance I could see to help you, so I had to take that chance while Shota was so focused on the snakes she had conjured. I knew she would have to watch what Niska was doing as well as make sure her snakes didn’t recklessly bite you, or the babies would die as well. I knew she wouldn’t want that to happen.”
Niska came close and put a hand on Kahlan’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Mother Confessor. I never wanted to be part of this. I would never have wanted to hurt you. Shota forced me to be part of her coven and do her bidding.”
Kahlan nodded, tears in her eyes with happiness for her twins. “I know.”
Kahlan circled an arm around Niska’s thin shoulders and pulled her tight in a quick hug to let her know that she understood and didn’t blame her.
42
The rest of the witch women all gathered around Kahlan, each of them briefly touching her in genuine sympathy as they explained how Shota had dragged them into her plans. They apologized for participating in the whole terrible ordeal. They all talked over each other, trying to explain that they had been living their own peaceful lives when Shota, as the grand witch, had summoned them with the magic of her oath and forced them to be part of her coven and thus her larger scheme.
One of the rather frightening-looking witch women, with one scarred, empty eye socket, a mangled nose, and no lips, approached. It took all of Kahlan’s strength not to recoil at the horror of her face. She touched Kahlan reverently.
“I have been persecuted my whole life for being a witch.” Her speech was halting and slurred because of her lack of lips, making it difficult to understand her.
The scar tissue where her lips had been cut off had thickened and tightened, pulling back from her gums and teeth, giving her a frightening look. The empty eye socket and the way her bared teeth grinned like those of a skull made it hard to look at her. She wet her teeth with her tongue before going on.
“I am named Yara. As you can plainly see,” the woman said, gesturing self-consciously at her face, “I have had vile things done to me by people who think my gift alone makes me evil. I hate that every day I must wear the scars of that hatred for all to see on my face.”
She choked up with emotion for a moment as a few tears ran down her cheek from her one eye. “But the one who was the most wicked of all was Shota, because she of all people should have known better. She knew what I had suffered, what I must live with for the rest of my life, and yet she used me anyway, used my face, to create fear in you. You have freed me, Mother Confessor. Thank you.”
With a tear still in her own eyes, Kahlan put an arm around her shoulder and gave her the same kind of hug she had given Niska. Kahlan understood all too well people who in the past had thought her evil because of her Confessor power.
She tapped the witch woman’s chest. “You keep your beauty in here, but I can see it.”
Another woman stepped forward to touch Kahlan’s arm. She was a lovely looking young woman, with unsettling birthmarks below each eye that made it look like blood was continually gushing from her eyes. While she was off-putting to look at, her gentle voice was the counter to the disturbing birthmarks.
“I am Thebe, Mother Confessor. All of us hope you can understand that none of this was our doing. We hold no ill will toward you and hope you can find it in your heart to hold none against us. We hope you can forgive us for taking part, even if it was against our will.”
“We were being used,” an older witch woman with long, wavy white hair said. She had a large wart on one side of her long nose. The tip of that nose drooped as if it were made of wax and she had let it get too close to a flame and it melted the end. “Shota used us much like the way she intended to use your two children, once they were born.”
“She lied at first,” another, very short witch woman said. She had wooden pegs for legs sticking out from beneath her tattered dress. “She had planned to kill you all along after you gave birth and keep your babies for herself. That is the most evil thing one woman could do to another, and to her children. She was using us as well, but what she was doing to you and the children you carry was much, much worse. I am so sorry for what almost happened.”
“None of us would ever think to harm anyone,” Yara said, as best she could without lips. “We have all been tormented by people for being born as witch women before anyone comes to know us for who we are. We simply want to be left alone to live our lives in peace.”
“But there were a few among us who had evil in their hearts,” Thebe said. “They were eager to participate in Shota’s grand scheme, eager to cause you pain. Those are the four who are now dead, as is Shota herself. I don’t think any of us ever dreamed that you would survive this plot, but we are truly thankful that you did.”
“We realize you have no reason to believe our sincerity,” another said, “but I swear to the good spirits, it is the truth.”
“I can vouch for the honesty of what they are saying,” Shale said. “I have spent time with these women. I know the heart of each. The hearts of the ones you killed were black, but these witch women are my sisters and their hearts are good.”
“I understand.” Kahlan spread her hands. “I am also sorry that all of you have suffered as well. Like my husband, I don’t assign guilt because of the sins of others. We each should be judged for who we are and what we do. My hope is that all of you can now go back to your homes and live in peace. Know that I hold no grudge against you. My hope for you all is that others won’t, either.”
They whispered among themselves for a moment, until there were nods among them all.
“We have all discussed it,” the one with the wavy white hair said, “and we all agreed that any of us will come to your aid should you ever ask us. We would be eager to try to make amends in any way possible.”
“No amends are necessary, but I will remember your offer should I ever need your help.” Kahlan let out a deep sigh. “Although she doesn’t necessarily deserve it, Shota has in the past helped Lord Rahl and me, so in view of that alone, I think you should take her body down to her home, in Agaden Reach, and bury her there.”
Heads tipped close together and whispering again broke out among them all.
“We will see to it, Mother Confessor,” Niska said. “You are more thoughtful than she would have been for you.”
Kahlan nodded. “I have known her for a long time, and while she intended to do something evil, the woman was more complex than this one act driven by the thought of such power going to her head. She has paid the price for that act.”
“We hope your husband is safe,” a woman in the back said, “but if he is not, we stand ready to help you in any way we can.”
“There i
s one thing we could do,” Shale said, looking around at the rest of the witch women. “When Shota made the Mother Confessor start to miscarry, Lord Rahl gave her the raw milk of mother’s breath while I made up the preparation.”
Worried whispers broke out among the women. They obviously thought that was troubling. They cast concerned looks at Kahlan. She fretted as to the reason.
Yara lifted a hand. “We could all join our gifts and cast a birthing spell to help ease your delivery, and also that the two babies might be born healthy.”
Shale smiled. “That is what I was thinking.”
Kahlan felt her worry ease a little. “I would be grateful for such a spell.”
The women all gathered in a tight circle around Kahlan, their hands over each other’s shoulders. They closed their eyes as they whispered a chant in unison. Kahlan didn’t understand the words, but she understood the heartfelt intentions.
As soon as they had finished, they stepped back and, following Shale’s lead, went to their knees and bowed forward.
Kahlan recognized the honor. She waited a moment in the silence and then said, “Rise, my children.”
It was the Mother Confessor’s formal recognition of those under her protection.
As they were coming up, Kahlan heard a sound and turned to see the red leather of the Mord-Sith emerging from the mist. In the gloomy swamp, such a flash of color was hard to miss.
She didn’t see Richard.
43
Kahlan’s eyes opened wide with dread as she saw all six Mord-Sith materialize out of the mist, but she didn’t see Richard.
Panic started to rise up within her at seeing that he wasn’t with them.
But then, off behind the Mord-Sith, she finally saw him emerge out of the swirling haze, like a good spirit come among them.
It felt as if her heart leaped up into her throat with relief at seeing him. She had been sick with worry that he was dead, but dealing with Shota was the problem at hand, so she’d had to set that worry aside to look after herself and the twins.
Kahlan cried out in excitement as she ran the dozen strides to meet him. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed the side of his face at least a half-dozen times. He squeezed her tight in return, momentarily lifting her from her feet. Finally, she separated from him and stood back to wipe tears of joy from beneath her eyes.
“What took you so long?” she asked him.
Richard shrugged. “Well, a building fell on me … .”
She blinked in astonishment that he had survived such a thing and was actually alive. “Shota told us that she had spelled your legs so that you couldn’t run to safety. She wanted the whole palace to come down on you. How did you get out?”
He didn’t seem at all concerned about what had happened.
“The good spirits watched over me.”
“Actually,” Vika said as she gestured among the Mord-Sith, “we dug him out. I don’t recall seeing any of the good spirits there, helping, but we did have a lot of help from the people of Bindamoon. Lord Rahl didn’t make it easy, though. He managed to stand under the center of the palace as the entire thing collapsed, so it was a lot of trouble getting him out, I don’t mind telling you.”
“We knew you would be angry if we just left him there,” Berdine said, offhandedly. “So we thought it best if we got him out and brought him along with us.”
Richard rolled his eyes. “The people in Bindamoon turned out to be a huge help in saving my life. They were more than thankful to be rid of Iron Jack, the palace, and the ‘queen.’ But it was Rikka, Nyda, Cassia, Vale, Berdine, and Vika who organized and directed them in the rescue effort. I am indebted to them.”
“As am I,” Kahlan said as she put a hand on the forearms of two of the Mord-Sith. “I was so worried. Thank you for not giving up on him. I don’t know what I would do had you …” Her voice choked up and she couldn’t say the rest.
“Kahlan killed the five evil witches,” Shale said into the awkward silence. “One of them was Shota.” She grinned, then. “With her bare hands.”
The Mord-Sith all looked a bit astonished, but proud.
Richard nodded with a serious look. “I would have expected no less. I’m just surprised it took her so long.” He winked at Kahlan.
She gripped Shale’s arm, then, and pulled her closer, as if presenting her to Richard. “I couldn’t have done it without Shale. She gave me a snake to use.”
“A snake?” Richard frowned. “You hate snakes.”
Kahlan showed him a sly smile. “Not white ones.”
“Ah, I see.” He flashed a smile at Shale as he gripped her shoulder. “Glad you were able to help.”
Kahlan turned and held her arm out toward the group of witch women all watching him with a mixture of awe and terror, fearing that, like so many others, he would think they were evil just because they were witches. Worse, they knew that he had the power to strike them down on the spot should he so wish.
“These ladies here were not willing participants in Shota’s scheme. They were all forced to answer Shota’s call to coven, the same as Shale. The ones who wanted to be part of it are now all dead.”
“I know,” Richard said. “I heard the last of it as we were coming in. I stayed out of sight and watched to make sure there wasn’t going to be any more trouble. I wanted to be able to come in and surprise anyone who might still attack you. It turns out that, thankfully, it wasn’t necessary.”
“No,” Kahlan said with a smile as she looked over at the women. “These women are all on our side. Shota was using them.”
He bowed his head to the nervous women. “Thank you all for helping the mother of my children, my beloved wife, and the Mother Confessor. You have my most heartfelt gratitude.”
There were giggles and nods as the witch women all finally stepped closer.
Richard turned to Niska, taking in the writing tattooed all over her flesh. He spoke words Kahlan didn’t understand, but by Niska’s wide eyes, it was clear she knew what he was saying. She bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Lord Rahl. Although I am their keeper, I have not heard these words spoken aloud since I was but a girl. It is a reminder to me of the importance of the messages I carry to preserve the ancient language of Creation.”
“Keep yourself and the words safe,” Richard told Niska. “Both are important for future generations.”
With a slight smile, Niska bowed her head. “By your command, Lord Rahl.”
He turned and gestured to the woman without any lips. “May I know your name?”
She bowed, too fearful to look up at him, or maybe too ashamed of her appearance. “I am Yara, Lord Rahl.”
With two fingers, he beckoned her close.
Yara reluctantly stepped up to him, and then, upon his urging, up closer to him. Richard gently gripped her shoulders and turned her around. He leaned in and spoke softly in her ear.
“You know about Additive Magic, Yara, yes?”
She nodded. “Of course, Lord Rahl.”
“Good. Now, I’d like you to close your eye for me.”
She did, and Richard gently put his hand over her mouth from behind. As he held his hand there, he bowed his head until his forehead touched the back of her head. Kahlan didn’t know what he could be doing, but as she watched, Yara brought her hands together in front of herself to twine her fingers together as if in anxiety, or maybe pain. She could see the witch woman’s breathing grow short and sharp. They stood that way for quite a time, until Richard finally took his hand away from her mouth.
Kahlan was astonished to see that Yara now had normal-looking lips where there had been only lumpy scars before. Her disfigured nose, too, was restored to normal.
Her hand rushed up to touch them. She turned and knelt beside the water to look at her reflection. As she stood, she started crying.
“I’m sorry,” Richard said as she turned to him, “but I don’t know if it would be possible to create a new eye for you with Additive Magic. If it is, I’m
afraid that I don’t know how to do such a thing. But I could at least do this little bit to help fix some of the harm that was done to you by ignorant people.”
Weeping, she fell to her knees before him and grabbed the bottom of his trouser leg, kissing it repeatedly.
“None of that, Yara,” he said, reaching down to touch the back of her shoulder. “It’s not necessary. It was my honor as the Lord Rahl to help you. More than that, it is my duty to try to set wrongs right where I was able.”
She finally stood and returned to the others. Some of them touched her lips in wonder as they all expressed their astonishment.
Richard motioned then for the young woman with the birthmarks under her eyes to come to him. Holding her hands together, she approached him with her head bowed.
Richard lifted her chin with a finger to look into her eyes. “Those aren’t birthmarks, are they?”
“You know?”
He nodded. “Yes. Someone marked you.”
She nodded. “I am called Thebe. When I was young, I was cursed by a sorceress with these marks. She said it was to let anyone who looks upon me know that I am to be shunned as a filthy witch.”
Richard shook his head in disgust, then turned her around and spoke softly in her ear. “You know of Subtractive Magic, yes?”
She nodded. “Underworld magic.”
Richard smiled as he put a hand over her eyes. “Well, yes, but it is also part of my power. And, as far as sorceresses’ curses go, this one is relatively simple.”
After a moment, when he took his hand away, the frightening bloodlike marks under her eyes were gone.
“Thebe!” Niska exclaimed. “The curse marks under your eyes are gone!”
Thebe started to go to the ground before Richard, but he caught her arm first. “Not necessary, Thebe. It was a simple thing and I was glad to remove the marks for you.”
She bowed. “Thank you, Lord Rahl, for removing this curse from my face. It has long made people shun me. Some even spit on me. It has caused me great loneliness. People fear and hate me without knowing me. They wouldn’t allow me to help them with my gift.”
Into Darkness Page 21
