Temple of the Winds

Verna, sitting in the center, opposite, produced a flame above her upturned palm and leaned toward Clarissa. "Job? What is it that you have done?" Clarissa patted the inky black book in her lap. "Nathan sent me for this book, and he wanted the ones left behind destroyed. He said that they were dangerous, what with you, and especially Warren, telling Jagang the meaning of the prophecies in them. Nathan didn't want Jagang to be able to use the information."

"I see," Verna said. "Lucky for us that we agreed to swear loyalty to. . Lord Rahl, and go with you."

Clarissa nodded. "Nathan said I was to offer you the chance, but in either case, I was to open that locket and leave it hidden there. He said that Jagang having both Warren and the prophecies together could ruin everything, if you told Jagang anything important."

Verna pressed her lips together as she let out a breath. She shared a look with Warren.

"I can't believe that after all this time. I'm finally going to get to meet the prophet himself," Warren said. "Not long ago I had given up hope, and now. . I will be meeting Nathan."

Verna harrumphed. "Out of the rain and into the lake. I can't believe I've sworn loyalty to that crazy old man."

Clarissa leaned forward. "Nathan is dashing. He isn't old." Verna barked a laugh. "You have no idea, child."

"And he isn't crazy, either. Nathan is the kindest, most wonderful, most generous man I've ever met!"

Verna glanced down at Clarissa's cleavage, and back up to her eyes. She had that look that Clarissa was used to seeing. "Yes," Verna murmured. "I'm sure he is, my dear."

"You could have no better man to swear loyalty to," Clarissa said. "Besides being thoughtful and kind, Nathan is a powerful wizard. I saw him turn another wizard to a pile of dust." Verna's brow creased. "Another wizard?"

Clarissa nodded. "Named Vincent. Vincent and another wizard and two Sisters, Jodelle and Willamina, came to see Nathan. They tried to hurt him. Nathan turned Vincent into a pile of ash." Verna's eyebrows rose.

"After that," Clarissa said, "they were very polite to Nathan, and Jagang agreed to give the book"-she tapped the book in her lap-"to Nathan. Jagang said Nathan could have either the book, or Sister Amelia. Now, Nathan will have both. Nathan has great plans. Nathan will rule the world, one day." Verna and Warren shared a sidelong glance. She looked at Amelia. "What is this book, Amelia?"

"I stole it from the Temple of the Winds," Amelia said in a hoarse voice. "I'm the only one who can use it. I started a plague. Thousands have already died because of what I did. It was how Jagang eliminated Richard Rahl.

"Thank the Creator that we still have Nathan Rahl to protect us with the bond to him."

"Dear Creator," Verna whispered, "what have we agreed to with our oath to the likes of Nathan?"

CHAPTER 63

Richard rose from the wizard's chair when he recognized the spirit gliding toward him. He couldn't call a specific spirit, and he didn't always know the ones who came, but he knew this one. With this one, he had a deep co

The person this spirit once was, he had loathed, he had feared. Only once he understood her, and only after he had forgiven her for what she had done to him, was he able to gain his release. This one he had killed, and in so doing, he freed her from her torment.

This spirit was the one who had later brought Kahlan and Richard together in that place between worlds. "Richard," the spirit said as she seemed to smile. "De

"I see you wear an Agiel. It is not mine."

Richard slowly shook his head. "It is that of yet another Mord-Sith who died because of me."

"Raina. I knew her in the world of life, and I know her here. Since she passed into the spirit world after the violation of the winds, she may not come to you, here. She is not one of those who holds sway over the forces involved as they pertain to you and the winds. Know that her spirit is at peace. You gave her peace, in life, and so she asked me to come to you."

Richard rolled the red Agiel in his fingers. "I gave your Agiel to Kahlan. As I promised you, one time, only she is able to give me more pain than you." "Only you, Richard, are able to give yourself more pain than I could give you." "Have it your way. I care not to argue. It is good to see you, De

Richard smiled at her nature showing through, even in her spirit form. "You ca

"You think not? I may not be able to harm your body, but I can still hurt you." She nodded to herself. "Oh, yes, Richard, I can hurt you." "And how is that?"

De

He could taste the terror. De

De

All around, the jumble of talking and laughter from the queen's guests droned in his head. De

She hadn't let him eat during those days of torture, and he needed food. As she sat at the dining table, De

All of the guests were eating. The varied aromas tormented him. He ached with hunger. Everyone else was eating, but he had to sit on the floor behind De

Richard thought about the times he had been with Kahlan, at camp, eating rabbit cooked over the fire or porridge sweetened with berries. He licked his lips thinking about the succulent, hot, tender meat, brown and crunchy on the outside from the fire. He had so enjoyed those meals with her. The food and the company were the best.

Now, he was denied that life, and was yoked to another. After everyone else had been eating for a while, a server brought a bowl of gruel. De

He was made to put it on the floor and to eat it like a dog. while laughter from the guests filled his ears. He didn't care. He was being allowed to eat at last.

Gruel was all he was allowed, but at that moment, in his state of tormented need, it was wonderful-it was freedom from the ache of hunger, freedom from the misery of seeing others eat while he starved, fulfillment of a simple but long denied need.

He slurped at it, relishing it, gulping it down. He could not escape his imprisonment in his new life, over which he had no say, and so he decided that if gruel was all he would be allowed, then he would have to accept that fact, and sate his hunger with what he was given. The light flashed in his head.