Blood of the Fold

Kahlan was overcome with a helpless sigh. Finally, she looked past Cara to the towering men behind. "Ulic, did you see to it that those bolts were installed on the door to our room?"

"Yes, Mother Confessor."

Kahlan smiled. "Good." She turned to Richard. "Shall we go home? I'm getting tired."

"You have to wed him, first," Cara a

Richard scowled. "I said except Kahlan. I never said wife. I said except Kahlan."

Cara glanced to the Agiel hanging on the thin chain around Kahlan's neck. It was De

Cara's cavalier gaze returned to Richard. "You charged us with protecting the Mother Confessor, Lord Rahl. We are merely protecting our sister's honor."

Kahlan smiled when she saw that Cara had finally managed to nettle him, something she was rarely able to do. Richard took a calming breath. "And a fine job you're doing of it, but don't you worry; by my word, she'll soon be my wife."

Kahlan's fingers idly stroked his back. "We promised the Mud People that we would be wedded in their village, by the Bird Man, in the dress Weselan made for me. That promise to our friends means a great deal to me. Would it be all right with you if we were wedded by the Mud People?"

Before Richard could tell her that it meant as much to him, and was his wish, too, a crowd of children swarmed around them. They pulled at his hands, begging him to come watch, as he had promised.

"What are they talking about?" Kahlan asked as she let out a joyful laugh.

"Ja'La," Richard said. "Here, let me see your Ja'La ball," he said to the children.

When they handed it up, he tossed it in one hand, showing it to her. Kahlan took the ball and turned it around, looking at the gold letter R embossed on it.

"What's this?"

"Well, they played with a ball, called a broc, that was so heavy that children were constantly getting hurt with it. I had the seamstresses make up new balls that are light, so all the children can play, not just the strongest ones. It's more a game of skill, now, instead of just brute force."

"What's the R for?"

“I told them that anyone willing to use this new kind of ball would get an official Ja'La broc from the palace. The R stands for Rahl, to show that it's an official ball. The game was called Ja'La, but since I changed the rules, they call it Ja'La Rahl, now."

"Well," Kahlan said, tossing the ball back to the children, "since Lord Rahl promised, and he always keeps his word…"

"Yes!" one boy said. "He promised that if we used his official ball he'd come watch."

Richard glanced to the garnering clouds. "Well, there's a storm coming, but I guess we have time for a game first."

Arm in arm, they followed the gleeful crowd of children up the street.

Richard smiled as he walked. "If only Zedd were with us."

"Do you think he died up at the Keep?"

Richard glanced up the mountain.”He always said that if you accept the possibility, then you make it real. I've decided that until someone proves it otherwise to me, I'm not going to accept his death. I believe in him. I believe he's alive and out there, somewhere, causing someone trouble."

The i

People sat at a few tables, having a quiet meal, and one of the tables near the far wall was crowded with a group of older men, smoking pipes, playing a board game, and sipping ale as they engaged in lively conversation. He caught snippets of phrases about the new Lord Rahl.

"You keep quiet," A

A friendly-looking couple behind a counter smiled at their approach. The woman1 s cheeks dimpled.

"Evening, folks."

"Good evening," A

"Oh, that we do, ma'am. For you and your…"

A

The woman's jaw moved as if in search of where all her words went. "Well, I… well.. yes, I believe I have."

"There you go," Zedd said, patting A

In unison, the two heads swiveled toward A

"I worked there," A

"Yes, yes," Zedd said. "And a fine job you did, Elsie. Why they let you go I'll never understand." He turned back to the mute couple. "Since she's out of work, I thought to take her out in the world with me, let her see what life's a!) about, don't you see."

"Yes," the couple said as one.

"And actually," Zedd said, "we'd prefer two rooms. One for my sister, and one for me." They blinked at him. "She snores," he explained. "I need my sleep. He gestured toward the ceiling. "Cloud reading, you know. Demanding work."

"Well, we have lovely rooms," the woman said, her cheeks dimpling again. "I'm sure you will get a good rest."

Zedd shook a cautionary finger. "The best you have, mind you. Elsie can afford it. Her uncle passed on, left her everything he had, and he was a wealthy man."

The man's brow drew down. "Wouldn't he be you uncle, too?"

“My uncle? Well, yes, he would, but he didn' t like me. Little bit of trouble with the old man. He was a morsel eccentric. Wore socks as mittens in the dead of summer. Elsie was his favorite."

"The rooms," A

The woman started around the counter. "Well, let me show you to them, then."

"That wouldn't be roasted duck I smell, would it?"

"Oh, yes," the woman said, turning back. "That's our di

Zedd inhaled deeply. "My, but it does have a delightful aroma. Takes talent to roast a duck just right, but I can tell by the fragrance that you've gotten it right. No doubt about it."

The woman blushed and giggled. "Well, I am known for my roasted duck."

"It sounds lovely," A

"Oh, of course. It would be my pleasure."

The woman started them down the hall "On second thought," Zedd said, "You go ahead, Elsie, I know how nervous you get to have people watch you eat. I'll take my di

A

Zedd waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, no, my dear. I'll just have my di