Naked Empire

Richard took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he gazed out over the mountains.

"You see, the thing is," Richard said, "I owe you all an apology. You all listened to me, but I didn't listen to myself.

"Kaja-Rang tried to help me with the words revealed on the statue, the words I told you-Deserve Victory. They were, first of all, meant for me."

"I don't understand," Anson said.

"I told you that your life is your own to live and that you have every right to defend it.

"Yet, I was telling myself that I had to balance the killing I did to defend my life and the lives of my loved ones by not eating meat-in essence, saying my self-defense, my killing of those who attack me and other i

"But your sword's magic didn't work, either," Je

"No, it didn't, and that should have been the thing that made me realize what the problem was, because both my gift and the sword's magic are different entities, yet they reacted logically to the same unreasoned action on my part. The sword's magic began to fail because I myself, by not eating meat, was saying that I did not completely believe that I was justified in using force to stop others who initiate violence.

"The sword's magic functions through the belief structure of the sword's owner; it only works against what the Seeker himself perceives as the enemy. The sword's magic will not work against a friend. That was the key I should have understood.

"When I thought that the use of the sword had to be balanced, I was, in effect, expressing a belief that my actions were in some way unjustified.

Therefore, because I held that remnant of faith in a false concept that had been inculcated in me throughout my life, just as all the people of Bandakar were taught-that killing was always wrong-the sword's magic began to fail me.

"The Sword of Truth's magic, as my gift, could only again be viable when I comprehended-completely-that the magic needs no balance for the killing I've done because the killing I've done is not only moral, but the only moral course of action I could have taken.

"By not eating meat, I was acknowledging that some part of my mind believed the same thing that the people here in Bandakar believed when we first met Owen and his men-that killing is always wrong.

"By thinking that I must not eat meat as a balance, I was denying the moral necessity of self-preservation, denying the essential of protecting the value of life. The very act of seeking 'balance' for what I'm right in doing is a conflict which is what was causing the headaches and also caused the Sword of Truth's power to fail me. I was doing it to myself."

Richard had violated the Wizard's First Rule by believing a lie- that it was always wrong to kill-because he feared it was true. He had also violated the Second Rule, among others, but most grievous of all, he had violated the Sixth Rule. In so doing, he had ignored reason in favor of blind faith. The failure of his gift and the sword's power was a direct result of not applying reasoned thought.

Fortunately, with the Eighth Rule, he had come to reexamine his actions and finally realized the flaw in his thinking. Only then was he able to correct the situation.

In the end, he had fulfilled the Eighth Rule.

Richard shifted his weight to the other foot as he gazed at the faces watching him. "I had to come to understand that my actions are moral and need no balance, but are in themselves balanced by my reasoned actions, that killing is sometimes not only justified, but the only right and moral thing to do.

"I had to come to understand the very thing I was asking all of you to understand. I had to understand that I must deserve victory."

Owen looked over at those with him and then scratched his head. "Well, considering everything, I guess we can understand how you could make such a misjudgment."

Je

The men all nodded while voicing their agreement.

Richard smiled at Je

Je

"Well, this is no longer a banished empire. It's no longer an empire naked to the aggression of tyrants. It's part of the D'Haran Empire, now.

These people want the same as us.

"I think I'd like to stay with them for a while and help them come to be part of the wider world, just as I've been starting to do. It's kind of exciting. I'd like to take your suggestion, Richard, and help them in that."

Richard smiled at his sister. He ran his hand down her beautiful red hair.

"On a condition," she added.

Richard let his hand drop back. "Condition?"

"Sure. I'm a Rahl, so… I was kind of thinking that I ought to have some proper protection. I could be a target, you know. People want to kill me. Jagang would love to-"

Richard laughed as he drew her into a hug with one arm to silence her.

"Tom, being as you are a protector to the House of RahJ, I'm assigning you to protect my sister, Je

Tom lifted an eyebrow. "Are you sure, Lord Rahl?"

Je

"You heard the lady," Richard said. "I'm sure."

The big blond D'Haran smiled with a boyish grin. "All right, then. I swear I will protect her, Lord Rahl."

Je

"Since I've been with them, they have come to see that I'm not a witch, and Betty is not a spirit guide-although for a time there I was afraid they might be right about Betty."

Richard peered down at the goat. Betty cocked her head. "I guess none of us but Betty knew the truth of what Nicholas was up to." At the sound of her name, Betty's ears pricked forward and her tail went into a fit of expectant wagging.

Je

Richard gri

"I think that would be wonderful, Je

Je

"A

"They both feel responsible for us," Richard explained. "Nathan Rahl is a prophet. Prophecy, because of the way it functions, actually does require balance. The balance to Prophecy is free will. I am the balance. I know those two don't like it, but I think I need to be free of them-for now. at least.

"But there is more to it. I think it's more important that they help the people here, first. We already know the uses to which Jagang will put the pristinely ungifted. I think it's vital that these people here, who are willing to value and protect the freedom they've won, are given some guidance in how to do that.