Stone of Tears

  "Ah. You must be talking about the trouble with the upcoming winter solstice. An agent is one who trades favors with the Keeper, favors such as the innocent souls of children, in return for knowledge of the use of Subtractive Magic."

  He gave Richard a dark look. "But that would not be a problem, because you sent Darken Rahl to the underworld, where he has no power here. Darken Rahl is in the underworld, is he not?"

  Richard felt a gnawing pain in the pit of his stomach. He had not only torn the veil, but in violating the Second Rule again, by trying to help with a gathering, he had brought an agent, Darken Rahl, back to this world where he could act to tear the veil. It was all Richard's fault. He felt hot and dizzy. He thought he might be sick at any moment.

  "Nathan, I have to get this collar off."

  Nathan shrugged. "I can't help with that."

  Richard had come here for a specific reason. He decided he had to try to get the answer. He cleared his throat.

  "Nathan, there is someone very important to me. She is in danger, and I must help. There is a prophecy about her that is written down, but it also came to me in a vision."

  "Which prophecy?"

  "Of all there were, but a single one born of the magic to bring forth truth will remain alive when the shadow's threat is lifted..."

  In his deep, powerful voice, Nathan finished the prophecy. "Therefore comes the greater darkness of the dead. For there to be a chance at Life's bond, this one in white must be offered to her people, to bring their joy and good cheer."

  "Then you know of it. Nathan, I saw the meaning of the prophecy. I was told not to speak of the vision, but it is not a joyful outcome as far as I am concerned."

  "She is beheaded," Nathan said in a quiet voice. "That is the true meaning of that prophecy."

  Richard put his arm across his churning stomach. That was what he had seen in the vision. His world started spinning again.

  "Nathan, I have to get away from here. I have to stop that from happening."

  "Richard, look at me." Richard looked up, managing to hold the tears back. "Richard, I must tell you the truth. If this prophecy does not happen, there is nothing beyond. We all die. It will be the end of all life. The Keeper will have us.

  "If you use your power to stop it, you will rip the veil asunder and allow the Keeper to swallow the word of the living."

  Richard shot to his feet. "Why! Why would she have to die to save the living! It makes no sense!" His fist tightened around the hilt of the sword. "I have to stop it! It's just a stupid riddle! I won't let her die for a riddle!"

  "Richard, a time will come when you have to make a choice. I have been hoping for a very long time now that when that time comes, you will be wise enough to make the right choice. You have the power to destroy us all if you choose wrongly."

  "I will not stand here while you tell me I must let her die. The good spirits have done nothing to help. I must. I will."

  Richard stormed from the room. Cracks ran along the walls beside him as he marched down the hall. Chunks of plaster rained down behind as he went. Richard only dimly noticed, but it pleased his temper. When he went through the shield, the paint on the walls to the side charred and curled.

  Richard's thoughts ran wildly in all directions at once. He knew now that his vision had been of what was going to happen if he didn't stop it. It was going to come true if he couldn't get away from the Palace. Maybe that was what the prophecy meant, that he would be held prisoner there, and he wouldn't be able to help, and Kahlan would die.

  In the courtyard below, Richard saw a commotion. Guards were running from everywhere. When he got closer, he saw one of the Baka Ban Mana blade masters. There had to be close to a hundred worried looking guards surrounding him in a ring, holding their distance. The man in loose fitting clothes, in the center of the ring, looked unconcerned.

  Richard pushed through the throng. "What's going on?"

  The man bowed to Richard. "Caharin. I am Jiaan. Your wife, Du Chaillu, has sent me to give you a message."

  Richard decided not to contest the wife part. "What is it?"

  "I am to tell you that she has followed her husband's instructions. We have brought the Majendie to a peace with us. We no longer make war with them, or the people here."

  "That's wonderful news, Jiaan. Tell her I am proud of her, and her people."

  "Your people," Jiaan corrected. "She wants you to know she has decided to bear the child. And she also sends message that we are ready to return to our homeland. She wishes to know when you will come to take us there."

  Richard glanced around at the people. Not only guards were gathered, but Sisters, too. He recognized a few of his teachers watching; Sisters Tovi, Nicci, and Armina. Pasha stood nearby. At the far edge of the crowd he saw Sister Verna. On a balcony in the distance, beyond the walls, he saw the squat figure of the Prelate.

  Richard turned back to Jiaan. "Tell her to be ready, that it will be soon."

  Jiaan bowed. "Thank you, Caharin. We will be ready."

  Richard spoke to the guards in a circle around them. "This man has come in peace. He is to be left in peace."

  Jiaan strode away, unconcerned, as if he were alone on a walk, but the ring of guards moved with him, as Richard knew they would until he was well clear of the city. The crowd started drifting away.

  Richard's head was pounding. He had brought his father back from the underworld by violating the Wizard's Second Rule a second time in the spirit house; he had tried to do the right thing and instead had brought harm. Warren had told him that the Keeper needed an agent to escape, and Richard had provided one.

  His mind reeled. He just finds out that Kahlan loves him and life seems good again, only to discover that he is to be trapped here for hundreds of years, and if he can't escape, Kahlan will die on winter solstice. His thoughts went around and around in a desperate tangle.

  He had to do something. Time was running out. He decided to find the one person who might be able to help him.

  64

  She heard the voices in the outer office, and hoped it was who she thought it would be. She was not looking forward to this, but she was running out of time. Richard would have surely found a way to see Nathan by now, and Nathan would have done his part. Now it was time to do hers.

  She couldn't completely trust Nathan, but in this, he would have done what was required. He knew the consequences of failure. His had been a task she didn't envy—adding the weight of that snowflake.

  With a flick of her fingers, the door swung open. She had had to have the carpenters fix the doorframe. Richard had shattered it with his Han, without even being aware of what he had done. And that was before he had even gone to Nathan.

  The curt speech cut off as the door opened, and the three faces looked in, awaiting instruction.

  "Sister Ulicia, Finella, it's late; why don't you two run along to your offices and tend to your paperwork. I will see her. Sister Verna, please come in."

  Ann stood as Sister Verna strode in. She liked Verna. She abhorred what she was going to have to do to her, but she was running out of time. Hundreds of years to prepare, and now time and events were slipping through her fingers.

  The world was at the brink.

  Verna bowed. "Prelate Annalina."

  "Please, Verna, sit down. It has been so long."

  Verna pulled a chair close to the opposite side of the table. She sat with her back straight, and her hands folded in her lap. "How good of you to take your valuable time to see me."

  Ann almost smiled. Almost. Dear Creator, thank you for sending her to me testy; though it won't make my job any less onerous, it will surely make it easier.

  "I have been busy."

  "So have I," Verna snapped. "For the last twenty odd years."

  "Apparently, not busy enough. We seem to be having difficulty with a boy you collected, and should have brought to task before he ever arrived."

  Verna's face turned scarlet. "Had you not forbidden me from doing my duty,
using my skills, I would have done so."

  "Oh? Are you so barren of resourcefulness, Verna, that you could not function with minor restrictions? Pasha, a mere novice, seems to be having better success, and she functions under the same restrictions."

  "You think so? You think he is under control?"

  "He has not killed anyone since Pasha took over."

  Verna stiffened. "I think I know something of Richard. I would advise the Prelate caution in her confidence."

  Ann looked down, moving papers about, as if devoting attention to words she was not seeing. "I will take your advice under consideration. Thank you for coming, Verna."

  "I am not finished! I have not yet begun!"

  Her eyes came slowly up. "If you raise your voice to me again, you will be, Verna."

  "Prelate Annalina, please forgive my tone, but there are matters of grave importance I simply must raise."

  Ann sighed, feigning impatience. "Yes, yes, then please do get to it. I have much work to do." She folded her hands on the desk and gave Verna a blank look. "Go on then."

  "Richard grew up with his grandfather..."

  "How nice for him."

  Verna paused in annoyance at the interruption. "His grandfather is a wizard. A wizard of the First Order. His grandfather wanted to teach him."

  "Well, we will see to his teaching. Is that all?"

  Verna's eyes narrowed. "I do not need to remind the Prelate that it is a direct violation of the truce to take a boy from a wizard who would teach him. I was told that there were no wizards left in the New World to teach boys. I was lied to. I was used. We have been stealing boys. You made me a part of that."

  Ann smiled indulgently. "Sister, we serve the Creator, so all may learn to live in his light. Now, in view of our duty to the Creator, what is a truce with heathen wizards?"

  Verna was struck speechless.

  Dear Creator, I like this woman so. Please give me the strength to break her. Nathan had added his snowflake, she had to add hers.

  "I have been sent on a twenty year chase, without knowing the reason, I have been deceived, my two companions died, one at my hand, I have been forbidden use of my power to do my job..."

  "Do you think I forbid your use of your power capriciously? Is that what is bothering you, Verna? Very well then, if you must know the reason, it was to save your life."

  Verna stiffened in caution. "If I remember my lessons in the vaults, there is only one reason such restriction would save my life."

  Inwardly, Ann smiled. Verna wanted it spoken aloud. "Indeed. Richard has Subtractive Magic."

  "You knew that? You had one with Subtractive Magic collared? You would risk that? You would have him brought here, to the Palace?" Her hands unfolded and she leaned in a bit. "Why?"

  Ann held the others gaze. "Because there are Sisters of the Dark in the Palace."

  She didn't twitch. She knew. At least, she suspected. Bless you Verna, you are a bright one. Forgive me for what I must do.

  "Is this room shielded?" Verna asked in an even tone.

  "Of course." She left unsaid that her shield would not protect against these Sisters.

  "Do you have proof of such an accusation, Prelate?"

  "I do not need proof, right now, because this conversation is restricted. You will not speak of it. Unless you plan to bring charges. If you do, I of course will deny it, and say a bitter Sister was trying to accuse the Prelate of blasphemy for personal gain. And then we would have to hang you. Neither of us wants that, now do we?"

  Verna sat stiff and still. "No, Prelate. But what does that have to do with bringing Richard here?"

  "When your house is overrun with rats, the only thing you can do is bring in a cat."

  "This cat sees us all as rats. Maybe with good reason. Some might say that perhaps you were not bringing in a cat for your rats, but bait. Richard is a good person. I would not like to think he is being sacrificed."

  "Do you know why you were selected to go after Richard?"

  "I had thought it was your vote of confidence."

  Ann shrugged. "In a way, it was. Although I am not sure that there are Sisters of the Dark in the Palace, and I have no idea who they are if it is true, I had to assume that if it is true, then since Grace and Elizabeth were at the top of the list, they would be Sisters of the Dark. I knew from prophecy, that only my eyes have seen, that Richard probably has Subtractive Magic, and further, that he would refuse the first two offers. I knew the first two sisters would die.

  "If the Nameless One's disciples knew any of this, they would want the third name on the list to be one of theirs, too. I used my prerogative as Prelate to pick the third Sister."

  "You chose me, because you had faith that I was not one of them?"

  What Ann wanted to say was, I have know you since you were a child, Verna. I know your quick mind, your heart, and your soul. You, of all the Sisters, were the one I trusted with the fate of the world. I knew Richard would be safe in your hands.

  But she could not say that.

  "I chose you, Verna, because you were far down on the list, and because, all in all, you are quite unremarkable."

  The room rang with silence for a long moment. Verna swallowed. "I see."

  Ann affected dispassionate objectivity. Inside, her heart was breaking.

  "I doubted you were one of them. You are a person of little note. I am sure Grace and Elizabeth made their way to the top of the list because whoever directs the Sisters of the Dark considered them expendable. I direct the Sisters of the Light. I chose you for the same reason.

  "There are Sisters who are valuable to our cause; I could not risk one of them on such a task. The boy may prove a value to us, but he is not as important as other matters at the Palace. He may be a help. It was simply an opportunity I thought to take.

  "If there would have been trouble, and none of you made it back, well, I'm sure you can understand that a general would not want to lose his best troops on a low priority mission."

  Verna's breathing looked forced. Her voice sounded it. "Of course, Prelate Annalina."

  Ann shuffled her papers impatiently. "I have important matters to get back to. Is there anything else, Sister?"

  "No Prelate."

  When the door closed, Ann lowered her face into her shaking hands. Tears dripped onto her papers.

  *****

  She appraised his eyes for a long moment. Richard didn't know if she would say yes or not, but he had had to tell her much of what he had learned just to get her to agree to listen to his plea. He couldn't afford to fail. He needed help. He had to trust someone.

  "All right, Richard. I will help you. If half of what you say is true, I must help you."

  Richard sighed as he closed his eyes in relief. "Thank you, Liliana. I'll never forget you for this. You're the only one around here who will listen to reason. Can we do it now? Time is critical."

  "Now?" she whispered harshly. "Here? Richard, if what you say about you having Subtractive Magic is true, it won't be a simple matter to remove your Rada'Han. I will need to retrieve an object of magic that the Sisters keep guarded. It's an aid, used to amplify power. Maybe through that, and with your help, it will be enough to get the collar off.

  "Not only that, but if the Nameless One is involved, there is no telling what ears, or Han, might be paying attention."

  "Then, when? Where? It has to be soon."

  She wiped her fingers over her eyes as she considered. "Well, I think I can retrieve the object before tonight, so we could try tonight. But where? It can't be in the Palace. It would be too dangerous."

  "The Hagen Woods," Richard said. "Everyone avoids the Hagen Woods."

  Liliana looked up. "Richard, you can't be serious. It's dangerous there."

  "Not for me. I already told you how I can tell if the mriswith are coming. We will be safe enough, and we won't have to worry about any Sisters, or Pasha, stumbling by while we're trying to get this cursed thing off my neck."

  She let out a frus
trated breath and then gave him a lopsided smile. She pulled his head against her shoulder and gave his back a sympathetic rub. "All right. The Hagen Woods, then."

  With a stern look, she gripped his shoulder and held him out at arms length. "I'm violating a whole stack of rules by doing this. I know its important, and the right thing to do, but if they catch us before we can do it, they will make sure I never get near enough to you to ever again try."

  "I'm ready now, let's go."

  "No. I must try to retrieve the aid first." She cocked her head to the side as she frowned. "And I just thought of something else. They keep telling you not to let the sun set on you there. Why?"

  Richard shrugged. "Because it's dangerous."

  "And after everything you've learned, you believe them? You trust them? Richard, what if they don't want you to let the sun set on you there because you might learn something useful? You said the Hagen Woods were placed there by the wizards of old who had Subtractive Magic, in order to help those like you. What if the Sisters don't want you to have that help? What if they are just trying to make you afraid, so you won't discover it?"

  Wizard's First Rule. Were they deceiving him? Was he believing a lie? "You may be right. We'll go before sunset."

  "No. We don't want to be seen together. And it will take me some time to steal the aid. Do you know where the long, split rock sets in the stream to southwest corner of the Hagen Woods?"

  "I know the place."

  "Good. You get there before the sun sets; you are the one the magic is for. Go in the woods by the split rock. Tie strips of cloth to branches so I can follow where you went, and find you. I'll meet you there, in the Woods, when the moon is two hands in the sky. And Richard, don't you dare tell anyone about this, or you will be risking not only my life and yours, but Kahlan's too."

  Richard nodded with a smile of thanks. "On my word. Tonight, then."

  He paced his room after she left. He was anxious to get this over with, and be off. He was running out of time. If Darken Rahl had the skrin bone, they were already out of time. But that was just foolish. How would he get it? He was a spirit. Maybe it was as Warren said, that the elements were rarely all in place.