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Blood of the Fold Sword of Truth 03 Terry Goodkind To Ann Hansen, the light in the darkness Chapter At the exact same instant, the six women suddenly awoke, the lingering sound of their screams echoing around the cramped officer’s cabin In the darkness, Sister Ulicia could hear the others gasping to catch their breath She swallowed, trying to slow her own panting, and immediately winced at the raw pain in her throat She could feel wetness on her eyelids, but her lips were so dry she had to lick them, for fear they would crack and bleed Someone was banging on the door She was aware of his shouts only as a dull drone in her head She didn’t bother trying to focus on the words or their meaning; the man was inconsequential Lifting a trembling hand toward the center of the coal black quarters, she released a flow of her Han, the essence of life and spirit, directing a point of heat into the oil lamp she knew to be hanging on the low beam Its wick obediently sprang to flame, releasing a sinuous line of soot that traced the lamp’s slow, to-and-fro sway as the ship rolled in the sea The other women, all of them naked as she was, were sitting up as well, their eyes fixed on the feeble, yellow glow, as if seeking from it salvation, or perhaps reassurance that they were still alive and there was light to be seen A tear rolled down Ulicia’s cheek, too, at the sight of the flame The blackness had been suffocating, like a great weight of damp, black earth shoveled over her Her bedding was sodden and cold with sweat, but even without the sweat, everything was always wet in the salt air, to say nothing of the spray that sporadically drenched the deck and trickled into everything below She couldn’t remember what it was like to feel dry clothes or bedding against her She hated this ship, its interminable damp, its foul smells, and the constant rolling and pitching that turned her stomach At least she was alive to hate the ship Gingerly, she swallowed back the taste of bile Ulicia wiped her fingers at the warm wetness over her eyes and held out her hand; her fingertips glistened with blood As if emboldened by her example, some of the others cautiously did the same Each of them had bloody scratches on their eyelids, eyebrows, and cheeks from trying desperately, but futilely, to claw their eyes open, to wake themselves from the snare of sleep, in a vain attempt to escape the dream that was not a dream Ulicia struggled to clear the fog from her mind It must have been a simple nightmare She forced herself to look away from the flame, at the other women Sister Tovi hunched in a lower bunk opposite, the thick rolls of flesh at her sides seeming to sag in sympathy with the morose expression on her wrinkled face as she watched the lamp Sister Cecilia’s habitually tidy, curly gray hair stood out in disarray, her incessant smile replaced by an ashen mask of fear as she stared up from the lower bunk next to Tovi Leaning forward a bit, Ulicia glanced at the bunk above Sister Armina, not nearly as old as Tovi or Cecilia, but closer to Ulicia’s age and still attractive, appeared haggard With shaking fingers, the usually staid Armina wiped the blood from her eyelids Across the confining walkway, in the bunks above Tovi and Cecilia, sat the two youngest and most self-possessed Sisters Ragged scratches marred the flawless skin of Sister Nicci’s cheeks Strands of her blond hair stuck to the tears, sweat, and blood on her face Sister Merissa, equally beautiful, clutched a blanket to her naked breast, not in modesty, but in shuddering dread Her long, dark hair was a tangled mat The others were older, and adeptly wielded power tempered in the forge of experience, but both Nicci and Merissa were possessed of rare, innate, dark talents—a deft touch that no amount of experience could invoke Astute beyond their years, neither was beguiled by Cecilia or Tovi’s kindly smiles or gentle affectations Though young and self-assured, they both knew that Cecilia, Tovi, Armina, and especially Ulicia herself were capable of taking them both apart, piece by piece, if they so chose Still, that did not diminish their mastery; in their own right, they were two of the most formidable women ever to have drawn breath But it was for their singular resolve to prevail that the Keeper had selected them Seeing these women she knew so well in such a state was unnerving, but it was the sight of Merissa’s unbridled terror that really shook Ulicia She had never known a Sister as composed, as unemotional, as implacable, as merciless, as Merissa Sister Merissa had a heart of black ice Ulicia had known Merissa for close to 170 years, and in all that time she could not recall having ever seen her cry She was sobbing now Sister Ulicia drew strength from seeing the others in a condition of such abject weakness, and in fact it pleased her; she was their leader, and stronger than they The man was still banging at the door, wanting to know what the trouble was, what the screaming was all about She unleashed her anger toward the door “Leave us! If you are needed you will be summoned!” The sailor’s muffled curses faded away as he retreated down the passageway The only sound, other than the creak of timbers as the ship yawed when struck abeam by a heavy sea, was the sobbing “Stop your sniveling, Merissa,” Ulicia snapped Merissa’s dark eyes, stilt glazed with fear, focused on her “It’s never been like that before.” Tovi and Cecilia nodded their agreement “I’ve done his bidding Why has he done this? I have not failed him.” “Had we failed him,” Ulicia said, “we would be there, with Sister Liliana.” Armina started “You saw her, too? She was—” “I saw her,” Ulicia said, masking her own horror with an even tone Sister Nicci drew a twisted skein of sodden blond hair back off her face Gathering composure smoothed her voice “Sister Liliana failed the Master.” Sister Merissa, the glaze in her eyes ebbing, flashed a look of cool disdain “She is paying the price of failure.” The crisp edge in her own tone thickened like winter’s frost on a window “Forever.” Merissa almost never let emotion touch her smooth features, but it touched her face now as her brows drew together in a murderous scowl, “She countermanded your orders, Sister Ulicia, and the Keeper’s She ruined our plans This is her fault.” Liliana had indeed failed the Keeper They wouldn’t all be on this cursed ship if it weren’t for Sister Liliana Ulicia’s face heated at the thought of that woman’s arrogance Liliana had thought to have the glory to herself She had gotten what she deserved Even so, Ulicia swallowed at the memory of having seen Liliana’s torment, and didn’t even notice the pain of her raw throat this time “But what of us?” Cecilia asked Her smile returned, apologetic, rather than merry “Must we as this man says?” Ulicia wiped a hand across her face They had no time to hesitate, if this was real, if what she had seen had really happened It must be nothing more than a simple nightmare; no one but the Keeper had ever before come to her in the dream that was not a dream Yes, it had to be just a nightmare Ulicia watched a roach crawl into the chamber pot Her gaze suddenly rose “This man? You did not see the Keeper? You saw a man?” Cecilia quailed “Jagang.” Tovi raised her hand toward her lips to kiss her ring finger—an ancient gesture beseeching the Creator’s protection It was an old habit, begun the first morning of a novice’s training Each of them had learned to it every morning, without fail, upon arising, and in times of tribulation Tovi had probably done it by rote countless thousands of times, as had they all A Sister of the Light was symbolically betrothed to the Creator, and His will Kissing the ring finger was a ritual renewal of that betrothal There was no telling what the act of kissing that finger would do, now, in view of their betrayal Superstition had it that it was death for one who had pledged her soul to the Keeper—a Sister of the Dark—to kiss that finger While it was unclear whether it truly would invoke the Creator’s wrath, there was no doubt it would invoke the Keeper’s When her hand was halfway to her lips, Tovi realized what she was about to and snatched it away “You all saw Jagang?” Ulicia regarded each in turn, and each nodded A small name of hope still flickered in her “So you saw the emperor That means nothing.” She leaned toward Tovi “Did you hear him say anything?” Tovi drew the coverlet up to her chin “We were all there, as we always are when the Keeper seeks us We sat in the semicircle, naked, as we always But it was Jagang who came, not the Master.” A soft sob came from Armina in the bunk above “Silence!” Ulicia returned her attention to the shivering Tovi “But what did he say? What were his words?” Tovi’s gaze sought the floor “He said our souls were his now He said we were his now, and we lived only at his whim He said we must come to him at once, or we would envy Sister Liliana’s fate.” She looked up, into Ulicia’s eyes “He said we would regret it if we made him wait.” Tears flooded her eyes “And then he gave me a taste of what it would mean to displease him.” Ulicia’s flesh had gone cold, and she realized that she, too, had drawn her sheet up She pushed it back into her lap with an effort “Armina?” Soft confirmation came from above “Cecilia?” Cecilia nodded Ulicia looked to the two in the upper bunk opposite The composure they had worked so hard to bring back seemed to have settled in “Well? Did you two hear the same words?” “Yes,” Nicci said “The exact same,” Merissa said without emotion “Liliana has brought this upon us.” “Perhaps the Keeper is displeased with us,” Cecilia offered, “and has given us to the emperor so we may serve him as a way of earning back our place of favor.” Merissa’s back stiffened Her eyes were a window into her frozen heart “I have given my soul oath to the Keeper If we must serve this vulgar beast in order to return to our Master’s graces, then I will serve I will lick this man’s feet, if I must.” Ulicia remembered Jagang, just before he had departed the semicircle in the dream that was not a dream, commanding Merissa to stand He had then casually reached out, grabbed her right breast in his powerful fingers, and squeezed until her knees buckled Ulicia glanced at Merissa’s breast, now, and saw lurid bruises there Merissa made no effort to cover herself as her serene expression settled on Ulicia’s eyes “The emperor said we would regret it, if we made him wait.” Ulicia, too, had heard the same instructions Jagang had displayed what bordered on contempt for the Keeper How was he able to supplant the Keeper in the dream that was not a dream? He had—that was all that mattered It had happened to all of them It had not been a mere dream Tingling dread thickened in the pit of her stomach as the small flame of hope extinguished She, too, had been given a taste of what disobedience would mean The blood that was crusting over her eyes reminded her of how much she had wanted to escape that lesson It had been real, and they all knew it They had no choice There wasn’t a moment to lose A cold bead of sweat trickled down between her breasts If they were late Ulicia bounded out of bed “Turn his ship around!” she shrieked as she flung open the door “Turn it around at once!” No one was in the passageway She sprang up the companionway, screaming as she went The others raced after her, pounding on cabin doors as they followed Ulicia didn’t bother with the doors; it was the helmsman who pointed the ship where it was going and commanded the deckhands to the sails Ulicia heaved open the hatch door to be greeted by murky light; dawn was not yet upon them Leaden clouds seethed above the dark cauldron of the sea Luminous foam frothed just beyond the rail as the ship slid down a towering wave, making it seem they were plunging into an inky chasm The other Sisters poured from the hatchway behind her out onto the spray-swept deck “Turn this ship around!” she screamed to the barefoot sailors who turned in mule surprise Ulicia growled a curse and raced aft, toward the tiller The five Sisters followed on her heels as she dashed across the pitching deck Hands gripping the lapels of his coat, the helmsman stretched his neck to see what the trouble was Lantern light came through the opening at his feet, showing the faces of the four men manning the tiller Sailors gathered near the bearded helmsman, and stood gawking at the six women Ulicia gulped air trying to catch her breath “What’s the matter with you slack-jawed idiots? Didn’t you hear me? I said to turn this ship around!” Suddenly, she fathomed the reason for the stares: the six of them were naked Merissa stepped up beside her, standing tall and aloof, as if she were dressed in a gown that covered her from neck to deck One of the leering deckhands spoke as his gaze played over the younger woman “Well, well Looks like the ladies have come out to play.” Cool and unattainable, Merissa regarded his lecherous grin with unruffled authority “What’s mine is mine, and not anyone else’s, even to look upon, unless I decide it is so Remove your eyes from my flesh at once, or have them removed.” Had the man the gift, and Ulicia’s mastery of it, he would have been able to sense the air about Merissa cracking ominously with power These men knew them only as wealthy nobility wanting passage to strange and distant places; they didn’t know who, or what, the six women really were Captain Blake knew them as Sisters of the Light, but Ulicia had ordered him to keep that knowledge from his men The man mocked Merissa with a lecherous expression and obscene thrusts of his hips “Don’t be standoffish, lass You wouldn’t of come out here like that unless you had in mind the same as us.” The air sizzled around Merissa Blood blossomed at the crotch of the man’s trousers He squealed as he looked up with eyes gone wild Lightning glinted off the long knife at his belt as he yanked it free Yelling an oath of retribution, he staggered ahead with lethal intent A distant smile touched Merissa’s full lips “You filthy scum,” she murmured to herself “I deliver you into the cold embrace of my Master.” His flesh burst apart as if he were a rotten melon whacked with a stick A concussion of air driven by the power of the gift slammed him over the rail Berdine took another bite of her pear “But his big hands fit best over my breasts.” Kahlan ambled toward the door “Well, my breasts aren’t as large as yours, Berdine.” She slowed as she passed Raina “I think Raina’s hands would fit mine better.” Berdine choked and coughed on her bite of pear as Kahlan strolled from the room A smile spread on Raina’s lips Cara burst into a hearty laugh She clapped Richard on the back as he walked past “I like her, Lord Rahl You may keep her.” Richard paused “Well, thank you, Cara I’m fortunate to have your approval.” She nodded earnestly “Yes, you are.” He hurried out of the room, finally catching up with Kahlan down the hall “How did you know about Berdine and Raina?” She regarded him with a puzzled frown “Isn’t it obvious, Richard? The look in their eyes? You must have noticed right away, too.” “Well ” Richard glanced back down the hall to make sure the women hadn’t caught up, yet “You’ll be happy to know that Cara said she likes you, and that I’m allowed to keep you.” Kahlan slipped an arm around his waist “I like them, too I doubt you could find guards who would better protect you.” “Is that supposed to be a comfort?” She smiled as she leaned her head against his shoulder “It is to me.” Richard changed the subject “Let’s go see what these representatives have come to say Our future, everyone’s future, hinges on this.” Kahlan, wearing her white Mother Confessor’s dress, sat silently in her chair, the Mother Confessor’s chair, beside Richard, under the painted figure of Magda Searus, the first Mother Confessor, and her wizard, Merritt Escorted by a smiling General Baldwin, Representative Garthram of Lifany, Representative Theriault of Herjborgue, and Ambassador Bezancort of Sanderia crossed the expanse of polished marble floor They all seemed surprised, and pleased, to see the Mother Confessor sitting beside Richard General Baldwin bowed “My queen, Lord Rahl.” Kahlan smiled warmly “Good day, General Baldwin.” “Gentlemen,” Richard said, “I hope all is well in your lands What have you decided?” Representative Garthram smoothed his gray beard “After extensive consultation with the rule at home, and with Galea and Kelton leading the way, we have all decided that the future lies with you, Lord Rahl We have all brought the surrender documents Unconditional, as per your request We wish to join with you, to be part of D’Hara, and under your rule.” The tall Ambassador Bezancort spoke up “While we are here to surrender, and join with D’Hara, it remains our hope that the Mother Confessor approves.” Kahlan considered the men for a moment “Our future, not our past, is where we and our children must live The first Mother Confessor and her wizard did what was best for their people and their time As the Mother Confessor, now, I and my wizard, Richard, must what is best for ours We must forge what we need to fit our world, but our hopes are for peace, as were theirs “Our best chance for strength that will insure a lasting peace lies with Lord Rahl Our new course has been set My heart and my people go with him As the Mother Confessor, I am a part of this union, and I welcome you to it.” Richard returned the squeeze of his hand “We will continue to have our Mother Confessor,” he said “We need her wisdom and guidance as much as we always have.” A few days later, on a fine spring afternoon, as Richard and Kahlan strolled hand in hand through the streets, checking on the cleanup of the destruction from the battle, and the construction that was already beginning to repair what had been destroyed, Richard had a sudden thought He turned, feeling the cool breeze and warm sun on his face “You know, I’ve demanded the surrender of the lands of the Midlands, and I don’t even know how many there are, or all their names.” “Well, then, I guess I have a lot to leach you,” she said “You’ll just have to keep me around.” A smile overcame him “I need you Now, and always.” He cupped her cheek “I can’t believe we’re together, at last.” He glanced up at the three women and two men not three paces behind them “If only we could be alone.” Cara arched an eyebrow “Is that a hint, Lord Rahl?” “No, it’s an order.” Cara shrugged “Sorry, but we can’t follow that order out here You need protection Do you know, Mother Confessor, that we sometimes have to tell him which foot to use next? He sometimes needs us for the simplest of instructions.” 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 announced “Lord Rahl’s orders No women allowed into his room, except his wife.” 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 Denna’s Agiel Richard had given it to Kahlan in a place between worlds where Denna had taken them to be together It had become a sort of amulet—one the three Mord-Sith had never mentioned, but had noticed from the first instant they saw Kahlan Richard suspected it meant as much to them as it did to him and Kahlan 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 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 inn looked to be a cozy place, not like some they had been to, with too much drinking and too much noise Why people wanted to dance whenever it got dark was beyond him Somehow, the two seemed to go together, like bees and flowers, or flies and dung Dark and dancing 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,” Ann warned, “and let me the talking.” A friendly-looking couple behind a counter smiled at their approach The woman’s cheeks dimpled “Evening, folks.” “Good evening,” Ann said “We would like to inquire about a room The boy at the stable said you had nice rooms.” “Oh, that we do, ma’am For you and your ” Ann opened her mouth Zedd beat her to words “Brother Ruben is the name This is my sister, Elsie I’m Ruben Rybnik.” Zedd flourished a hand “I’m a cloud reader of some note Perhaps you’ve heard of me Ruben Rybnik, the famous cloud reader.” 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 Ann an the back “Nearly everyone’s heard of me, Elsie.” He leaned on an elbow toward the couple behind the counter “Elsie thinks I make it up, but then she’s been off on that farm, with those poor unfortunates who hear the voices and talk to the walls.” In unison, the two heads swiveled toward Ann “I worked there,” Ann managed to get out between her clenched teeth “I worked there, helping the ‘poor unfortunates’ who were our guests.” “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 all 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 your 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,” Ann growled She turned and bulged her eyes up at him “Ruben needs his sleep He has a lot of cloud reading to do, and must be at it early in the morning If he doesn’t get his sleep, he gets the oddest burning rash in a ring around his neck.” 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 dinner tonight Roasted duck with parsnips and onions and gravy, if you’ve a desire for some.” 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,” Ann said “If you could be so kind, would you send it up to our rooms?” “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 dinner out here, madam With a pot of tea, if you don’t mind.” Ann turned and shot him a scowl He could feel the collar at his neck heat “Don’t be long, Ruben We must get an early start.” Zedd waved a dismissive hand “Oh, no, my dear I’ll just have my dinner, perhaps a game with these gentlemen, and then be off to bed straightaway See you in the morning, bright and early, so we can be off to show you the world.” Her glare could have boiled pitch “Good night, then, Ruben.” Zedd smiled indulgently “Don’t forget to pay the kind woman, and add something extra for her generosity with the large helping of her excellent roasted duck.” Zedd craned his neck toward her with a weighty look, his voice thinning “And don’t forget to write in your journal before bed.” She stiffened “My journal?” “Yes, the little travel journal you keep I know how you like to write about your adventures, and you haven’t been keeping up to date like you should I think it’s about time you did.” “Yes ” she stammered “I will, then, Ruben.” Once Ann had gone, sending warning glances at him the whole way, the gentlemen at the table, having heard the entire conversation, invited him over Zedd spread his maroon robes and descended among them “Cloud reader, you say?” One asked “The very best.” Zedd held up a bony finger “Cloud reader to kings, no less.” Astonished whispers passed around the table A man to the side took his pipe from his teeth “Would you a cloud reading for us, Master Ruben? We’d all put in and pay you a bit.” Zedd held up a thin hand, as if warding them off “I’m afraid I couldn’t.” He waited for the disappointment to build “I couldn’t accept your money It would be my honor to tell you what the clouds had to say, but I won’t take a copper.” Smiles returned “That’s most generous of you, Ruben.” A heavyset man leaned in “What the clouds have to say?” The innkeeper set a steaming plate of roasted duck before him, diverting his attention “I’ll have your tea shortly,” she said as she hurried back to the kitchen “The clouds had much to say about the winds of change, gentlemen Dangers and opportunities About the glorious new Lord Rahl, and the well, let me have a taste of this succulent-looking duck, and I’ll be delighted to tell you all about it.” “Dig in, Ruben,” another said Zedd savored a mouthful, pausing dramatically to sigh with pleasure as the men all watched with rapt attention “That would be a mighty strange necklace you wear.” Zedd tapped the collar as he chewed “They don’t make them like this anymore.” Squinting, the man pointed his pipe stem at the collar “Doesn’t seem to have clasp Looks to be one piece How did you get it down over your head?” Zedd unfastened the collar and held it out for them, working the two halves or, the hinge “Yes it does See? Mighty fine work, isn’t it? A person can’t even see the workings because they’re so delicate Master workmanship Don’t see things like this anymore.” “That’s what I always say,” the man with the pipe said “You don’t see fine workmanship anymore.” Zedd snapped the collar back around his neck “No, you don’t.” “I saw an odd cloud today,” a hollow-cheeked man to the other side said “Strange cloud Snakelike it was Wriggled in the sky, sometimes.” Zedd leaned in and lowered his voice “You saw it, then.” They all leaned in “What’s it mean, Ruben?” one whispered He looked from eye to eye “Some say it’s a tracer cloud, hooked on a man by a wizard.” Zedd was satisfied by the gasps “What for?” the heavyset man asked, the whites of his eyes showing all around Zedd made a show of looking about at the other tables before he spoke “To track him, and know where he goes.” “Wouldn’t he see such a cloud, all snakelike and all?” “There’s the trick to it, I’m told,” Zedd whispered as he used his fork to demonstrate “It points down at the man followed, so all he would see is a tiny dot, kind of like looking at the tip of a cane But those off to the side see the whole of the cane.” The men aahed and leaned back with this news, digesting it as Zedd dug into the roasted duck “Do you know about these winds of change?” one finally asked “And about this new Lord Rahl?” “Wouldn’t be a cloud reader to kings if I didn’t.” Zedd brandished his fork “It’s a mighty good tale, if you gentlemen have a mind to hear it.” They all leaned in again “It all started before, in the ancient war,” Zedd began, “when were created the ones called dream walkers.” ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many thanks, as ever, to my editor, James Frenkel, for the adept way he keeps raising the bar; to my British editor, Caroline Oakley, and the good people at Orion for their devotion to excellence; to James Minz for the great line; to Linda Quinlon and the sales and marketing staff for their passion and triumphs; to Kevin Murphy for the award-winning cover art; to Jeri for her forbearance; and to Richard and Kahlan, who never fail to keep me inspired Table of Contents Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Table of Contents Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Chapter 54 .. .Blood of the Fold Sword of Truth 03 Terry Goodkind To Ann Hansen, the light in the darkness Chapter At the exact same instant, the six women suddenly awoke, the lingering sound of their... could see that there were troops beyond the walls, in the streets of the city, but none were close to the three of them in the secluded side courtyard outside the kitchen entrance There was nothing... in all the confusion Under their capes, they wore simple hides as white as the rest of them Richard had seen them black before, but he knew the mriswith could appear to be the color of their surroundings