Chainfire (72 page)

Richard stood at the crenellation in the rampart, one foot resting on the low stone, gazing out across the sunlit scene of Aydindril down below the mountain, watching the puffy white clouds parade their shadows across the valley.

Zedd came up from behind and stood beside Richard, and for a time also watched out in silence.

“I can’t remember Kahlan,” he finally said. “Try as I might, I just can’t.”

“I know,” Richard answered without looking over.

“But for her to be your wife, she must be a remarkable woman.”

Richard couldn’t help smiling. “She is that.”

Zedd laid a bony hand on Richard’s shoulder. “We’ll find her, my boy. I’m going to help you. We’re going to find her. I promise you that.”

Grinning, Richard put his arm around his grandfather’s shoulders. “Thanks, Zedd. I could surely use the help.”

Zedd held up a finger. “We’ll get started right away.”

“Right away would suit me,” Richard told him. “I’m going to need to get me a sword, too.”

“Ah, well, the sword isn’t important. The sword is just a tool. The Seeker is the weapon, and I’d say you are still the Seeker.”

“About that, Zedd. You know, I’ve been thinking, and I’ve come to believe that maybe Shota wasn’t acting selfishly by demanding the sword in exchange for what she told me.”

“How do you figure that?”

“Well, the Sword of Truth draws from my gift. When I use my gift, such as that day we were down in the library and I read from a book of prophecy, it has the very real potential to call the beast to me.”

Zedd rubbed his smooth chin. “Well, I guess that’s true. Maybe in a way that did help to protect you.” He scowled at Richard. “But she gave it to Samuel! He’s a thief!”

“And what did he steal since he got the sword back?”

Zedd peered at Richard with one eye. “Steal? I don’t know. What do you mean?”

“He near to killed a Sister of the Dark and took the box of Orden she had, preventing the Sisters from having all three so that they can invoke the magic of Orden.”

Zedd’s scowl deepened. “And just what do you suppose that little thief is going to do with the box?”

Richard shrugged. “I don’t know, but at least he bought us some time. We can go after him, now, and prevent the Sisters from having all three boxes, at least.”

Zedd scratched the hollow of his cheek as he gave Richard a sidelong glance. “Kind of reminds a fellow of the last time, doesn’t it…with Darken Rahl having to get the last box.”

Richard frowned over at his grandfather. “What are you saying?”

Zedd shrugged. “Nothing. I’m just saying.”

“Saying what?”

“Like I said, kind of reminds one of the last time, that’s all.” Zedd clapped Richard on the shoulder. “Well, come on. Rikka has dinner ready. We’ll all get a good meal before we lay out some ideas for how to proceed.”

“That sounds great to me.”

“How do you know? I haven’t even told you what she’s cooking.”

“No, I mean…Never mind. Let’s go.”