Faith of the Fallen

"Worse, Prelate, I brought her to the shadow of the Keeper."

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"What's done is done, Alessandra."

While Alessandra sipped at her soup, A

A

For centuries A

After all, what A

Could that be true? Grief threatened to overwhelm her.

She was begi

Kahlan could be right. The Prelate of the Sisters of the Light might be personally responsible for more suffering than any monster born into the world had ever brought about.

"Alessandra," A

"Where would we look?"

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Alessandra watched A

"It is indeed. We must find him."

"It took Verna twenty years to find Richard."

"So it did. But part of that was by my design. I hid facts from Verna.

Then again, Nathan is no doubt hiding facts from us. Nonetheless, we have a responsibility. Verna is with the Sisters, and with the army; they will do what they can in that capacity. We must go after Nathan. That part of it is up to us."

Alessandra set her bowl aside. "Prelate, I understand why you believe the prophet must be found, but, just as you feel you must find him, I feel I must find Nicci. I'm responsible for bringing her to the Keeper of the underworld. I may be the only one who can bring her back to the Light. I have a unique understanding of that journey of the heart. I fear what will happen to Richard if I don't try to stop Nicci.

"Worse," Alessandra added, "I fear what will happen to the world if Richard dies. Kahlan is wrong. I believe in what you've worked for all these years. Kahlan is making a complex thing sound simple because her heart is broken, but without what you did, she would never even have met Richard."

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"But, Alessandra, we don't have the slightest idea where they went.

Nicci is as smart as they come. If, as she says, she is acting on her own behalf, she will be clever about not being found. How would you even go about such a search?

"Nathan is a prophet loose in the world. You remember the trouble he's caused in the past. He could, by himself, bring about such calamity as the world has never seen. Nathan boasts when he's around people; he will surely leave such traces where he goes. With Nathan, I believe we at least have a chance of success. But hunting for Nicci. ."

Alessandra met A

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"Alessandra. ."

"You don't completely trust me, do you, Prelate?"

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"But I've come back to the Light, Prelate."

"Have you? Would not one acting for the Keeper lie for him, as you yourself only moments ago suggested?"

Alessandra's eyes filled with tears. "That's why I must try to find Nicci, Prelate. I must prove that your faith in me was not misplaced. I need to do this to prove myself to you."

"Or, you need to help Nicci, and the Keeper?"

"I know I'm not worthy of trust. I know that. You said we must find Nathan-but we must also help Richard."

"Two tasks of the utmost importance," A

Alessandra wiped at her eyes. "Please, Prelate, let me help. I'm responsible for Nicci going to the Keeper. Let me try to make amends. Let me try to bring her back. I know what the return journey is like. I can help her. Please, let me try to save her eternal soul?"

A

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"Richard is of utmost importance to our cause-you know that. I'm getting old and would only slow the search for him and his captor. I want you to go after him. No arguments, now. You are to find Richard Rahl, and put the fear of the Creator back into our wayward Sister Nicci."

Alessandra threw her arms around A

Alessandra pushed away. "Prelate, will you be able to travel alone? Are you sure you're up to this?"

"Bah. I may be old, but I'm not useless. Who do you think came into the center of Jagang's army and rescued you, child?"

Alessandra smiled through her tears. "You did, Prelate, all by yourself. No one but you could have done such a thing. I hope I can do half as well for Nicci, when I find her."

"You will, Sister. You will. May the Creator cradle you in His palm as you go on your journey."

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"Hard times lie ahead," Alessandra said. "But the Creator has two hands, does He not? One for me, and one for you, Prelate."

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