"Nonetheless, I am here." Kahlan's voice could have frozen water.　　

"Yes, well, this is . .. grand. Simply ... grand." Her face brightened. "We will have a banquet. Yes, a banquet. I will send out runners with invitations immediately. Everyone will come. I'm sure they will be most pleased to dine with the Mother Confessor. This is quite an honor." She turned, indicating the men in the red-and-yellow pantaloons.1 commentTweetThe nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/women-air-max-c-6.html">nike air max+ 2012 boasts a tremendous range of colorblocking possibilities thanks to its layered Hyperfuse construction, but even with all this modern technology at work, some of the best colorways all year have been the most basic.. "These are my barristers." The men all bowed deeply again at the introduction. "I don't remember all their names." She held her hand out to two men in gold robes. "And this is Silas Tannic, and Brandin Gadding, the chief advisors to the crown." The two gave a nod. "And my minister of finance, Lord Rondel; my star guide, Lady Kyley." Richard didn't see a silver-robed wizard among the Queen's entourage. The Queen waved her hand at a shabbily dressed man in the back. "And James, my court artist."　　

From the corner of his eye, Richard saw Zedd stiffen. James kept his lecherous eyes on Kahlan as he gave a shallow bow. He was missing his right hand at the wrist. The oily smile he gave her made Richard reach for his sword instinctively before he realized what he was doing. Without looking over, Zedd's hand grabbed his wrist and took the hand away from the sword. Richard glanced around at the other people to see if anyone had noticed. No one had.?With a distinct gradient perforation that can't be compared to all that many designs in history, Hussein Chalayan's Puma Haast places its name alongside standouts like the Air Moire and its nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/air-max-yellow-c-21.html">nike air max yellow 90 Current hybrid.. They were all watching the Mother Confessor.　　

Kahlan turned to the two of them. "Zeddicus Zorander, cloud reader, trusted advisor to the Mother Confessor." Zedd bowed dramatically. "And Richard Cypher, the Seeker, protector to the Mother Confessor." Richard imitated Zedd's bow.　　

The Queen looked at him, lifting an eyebrow with a sour look. "Pretty pathetic protection for a Mother Confessor."　　

Richard made no change in his expression. Kahlan remained unruffled. "It is the sword that cuts; the man is unimportant. His brain may be small, but his arms are not. He tends to use the sword too often, though."　　

The Queen didn't seem to believe her. Behind the royal party, a small girl came gliding down the stairs. She wore a pink satin dress and jewelry that was too large for her. She strode up beside the Queen, flipping her long hair back over her shoulder.1 commentTweetThe upcoming VNTG and EM renditions of nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/air-max-yellow-air-max-90-yellow-c-21_33.html">nike air max 90 yellow classics act like opposites of one another, with one going the rewind route and adding some aged yellowing and the other upgrading the build with Engineered Mesh.czfnk06. She did not bow.　　

"My daughter, the Princess Violet. Violet, dear, this is the Mother Confessor."　　

Princess Violet scowled up at Kahlan. "Your hair is too long. Perhaps we should cut it for you."　　

Richard detected the slightest smile of satisfaction on the Queen's face. He decided it was time to elevate her level of worry　　

The Sword of Truth came out, sending its distinctive ring around the huge room, the stone amplifying the sound. With the sword point an inch from Princess Violet's nose, he let the anger of it rage through him, to make his words more dramatic.　　

"Bow to the Mother Confessor," he hissed, "or die."　　

Zedd acted bored. Kahlan waited calmly. No one else had eyes as wide as the Princess as she stared at the sword point. She dropped to her knees and bowed her head. Standing back up, her eyes went to him, as if asking if the bow was all right.
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Richard smiled to her. 'Waiting for you.'　　

She peered around at trees and dark shadows. 'Something smells awful in here,' she muttered.　　

Pasha squatted down in front of him, smiling a little smile as a person might to a child, or to someone she thought was insane. 'Richard, you've had your fun, your nice walk in the country; now, give me your hand and let's get out of here.'　　

'I'm not leaving until Verna is restored to Sister again.'　　

Pasha shot to her feet. 'What!'　　

Richard took his sword in hand and rose in front of her. 'I'm not leaving here until Verna is restored to the rank of Sister, the same as she was before. The palace must choose what's more important to them - my life; or keeping Sister Verna a novice.'　　

Pasha's mouth fell open. 'But the only one who can remove Verna's sanction is Sister Maren!'　　

'I know.' He touched his finger to her nose.1 commentTweetThe nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/women-air-max-c-6.html">nike air max+ 2012 boasts a tremendous range of colorblocking possibilities thanks to its layered Hyperfuse construction, but even with all this modern technology at work, some of the best colorways all year have been the most basic.. That's why you're going to go and tell Sister Maren she must come here, in person, and give me her solemn pledge that Verna is once again a Sister, and agree to my terms.'　　

'You can't be serious. Sister Maren will not do that.'　　

'I'm not leaving this spot unless she does.'　　

'Richard, we'll go back and see if Sister Maren will discuss this, but you can't stay here. It's not worth dying for!'　　

He regarded her with a cool expression. 'It is to me.'　　

Her tongue wet her lips. 'Richard, you don't know what you're doing. This is a dangerous place. I'm responsible for you. I cannot allow you to stay here!　　

'If you won't come away with me, then I will have to use the collar and make you come with me, and I know you don't want that.'　　

Richard's grip tightened on the sword's hilt. 'Sister Verna is being punished in retaliation against me.?With a distinct gradient perforation that can't be compared to all that many designs in history, Hussein Chalayan's Puma Haast places its name alongside standouts like the Air Moire and its nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/air-max-yellow-c-21.html">nike air max yellow 90 Current hybrid.. I have made a vow to myself to restore Verna to Sister. I can't allow the sanction to stand. I'll do whatever I must, die here if I have to.　　

'If you use the collar to hurt me, or drag me off, I'll fight you, with everything I have. I don't know who will win, but if that happens, I am sure of one thing: one of us will die. If it's you, then the war will have started. If I die, then your test to become a Sister will end on the first day. Sister Verna will still be a novice, but that is where she stands now. At least I will have done my best.'　　

'You would be willing to die? For this?'　　

'Yes. It's that important to me. I will not allow Sister Verna to be punished because of what I have done. It was unjust.1 commentTweetThe upcoming VNTG and EM renditions of nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/air-max-yellow-air-max-90-yellow-c-21_33.html">nike air max 90 yellow classics act like opposites of one another, with one going the rewind route and adding some aged yellowing and the other upgrading the build with Engineered Mesh.czfnk06.'　　

Her brow wrinkled. 'But ... Sister Maren is the headmistress of the novices. I'm a novice. I can't go to her and tell her she must reverse the order - she'll skin me alive!'　　

'I am the cause of the trouble; you are simply the messenger. If she punishes you, I would not stand for it, any more than I will stand for what was done to Sister Verna. If Sister Maren wishes to start a war, then let it start. If she wishes to keep my truce, then she will have to come to me, here, and agree to my terms.'　　

Pasha stared at him. 'Richard, if you are here when the sun goes down, you will die.'
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Kahlan laid her head against his shoulder. Richard gently stroked her hair as she listened to his breathing and the crackle of the fire. He held her tenderly and kissed the top of her head, there being no need for words. She felt safe in his arms.　　

Kahlan let loose her pain: the pain of loving him more than life itself and thinking he had been tortured to death by the Mord-Sith before she could tell him how much she loved him; the pain of having thought she could never have him because she was a Confessor and her power would destroy him; the hurt of how much she needed him, how uncontrollably she loved him.　　

As her anguish expended itself, it was replaced by her joy in what lay ahead: a lifetime, together. The breathless excitement of it seeped into her. She clutched at him, wanting to melt into him, wanting to be one with him.　　

Kahlan smiled. That was what being married to him would be: being one with him, as Zedd had told her once -like finding the other half of herself.　　

When she finally looked up, there was a tear on his face. She wiped the tears from her cheeks, and he did the same. She hoped his tears meant he had let his demons go, too.　　

'I love you,' she whispered.　　

Richard pulled her tight against him.1 commentTweetThe nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/women-air-max-c-6.html">nike air max+ 2012 boasts a tremendous range of colorblocking possibilities thanks to its layered Hyperfuse construction, but even with all this modern technology at work, some of the best colorways all year have been the most basic.. His fingers traced a trail down the bumps of her spine.　　

'I feel so frustrated that there aren't any better words than 'I love you,'' he said. 'It doesn't seem enough for the way I feel about you. I'm sorry there aren't any better words to tell you.'　　

They are words enough for me.'　　

'Then, I love you, Kahlan. A thousand times, a million times, I love you. Forever.'　　

She listened to the snap and pop of the fire, and to his heart beating. To her own heartbeat. He rocked her gently. She wanted to stay there in his arms forever. Suddenly the world seemed a wonderful place.　　

Richard grasped her shoulders and held her away to better see her. A wonderful smile spread across his face.?With a distinct gradient perforation that can't be compared to all that many designs in history, Hussein Chalayan's Puma Haast places its name alongside standouts like the Air Moire and its nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/air-max-yellow-c-21.html">nike air max yellow 90 Current hybrid.. 'I can't believe how beautiful you are. I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you.' He ran a hand down her hair. 'I'm so glad I didn't cut your hair that time. You have beautiful hair. Don't ever change it.'　　

'I'm a Confessor, remember? My hair is a symbol of my power. Besides, I can't cut it. Only another can do that.'　　

'Good. I would never cut it. I love you the way you are, power and all. Don't ever let anyone cut it. I've liked your long hair ever since the first day I saw you, in the Hartland Woods.'　　

She smiled as she remembered that day.1 commentTweetThe upcoming VNTG and EM renditions of nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/air-max-yellow-air-max-90-yellow-c-21_33.html">nike air max 90 yellow classics act like opposites of one another, with one going the rewind route and adding some aged yellowing and the other upgrading the build with Engineered Mesh.czfnk06. Richard had offered her help in escaping from the quads. He had saved her life. 'It seems so long ago. Will you miss that life? Being a simple, carefree woods guide?' She smiled coquettishly. And single?'　　

Richard grinned. 'Single? Not with you as my wife. But a woods guide? Maybe a little.' He stared off at the fire. 'I guess that for better or worse, I am the true Seeker. I hold the Sword of Truth, and the responsibilities that go with it, whatever they are. Do you think you can be happy being the wife of the Seeker?'　　

'I would be happy living in a tree stump, if you were there with me. But Richard, I'm afraid I'm still the Mother Confessor. I have responsibilities, too.'
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Hwel snored.　
In his dreams gods rose and fell, ships moved with cunning and art across canvas oceans, pictures jumped and ran together and became flickering images; men flew on wires, flew without wires, great ships of illusion fought against one another in imaginary skies, seas opened, ladies were sawn in half, a thousand special effects men giggled and gibbered. Through it all he ran with his arms open in desperation, knowing that none of this really existed or ever would exist and all he really had was a few square yards of planking, some canvas and some paint on which to trap the beckoning images that invaded his head.　
Only in our dreams are we free. The rest of the time we need wages.　　

'It's a good play,' said Vitoller, 'apart from the ghost.'　
'The ghost stays,' said Hwel sullenly.　
'But people always jeer and throw things. Anyway, you know how hard it is to get all the chalk dust out of the clothes.'　
'The ghost stays. It's a dramatic necessity.'　
'You said it was a dramatic necessity in the last play.'　
'Well, it was.'　
'And in Please Yourself, and in A Wizard of Ankh, and all the rest of them.'　
'I like ghosts.1 commentTweetThe nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/women-air-max-c-6.html">nike air max+ 2012 boasts a tremendous range of colorblocking possibilities thanks to its layered Hyperfuse construction, but even with all this modern technology at work, some of the best colorways all year have been the most basic..'　
They stood to one side and watched the dwarf artificers assembling the wave machine. It consisted of half a dozen long spindles, covered in complex canvas spirals painted in shades of blue and green and white, and stretching the complete width of the stage. An arrangement of cogs and endless belts led to a treadmill in the wings. When the spirals were all turning at once people with weak stomachs had to look away.　
'Sea battles,' breathed Hwel. 'Shipwrecks. Tritons. Pirates!'　
'Squeaky bearings, laddie,' groaned Vitoller, shifting his weight on his stick. 'Maintenance expenses. Overtime.'　
'It does look extremely . . . intricate,' Hwel admitted. 'Who designed it?'　
'A daft old chap in the Street of Cunning Artificers,' said Vitoller.?With a distinct gradient perforation that can't be compared to all that many designs in history, Hussein Chalayan's Puma Haast places its name alongside standouts like the Air Moire and its nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/air-max-yellow-c-21.html">nike air max yellow 90 Current hybrid.. 'Leonard of Quirm. He's a painter really. He just does this sort of thing for a hobby. I happened to hear that he's been working on this for months. I just snapped it up quick when he couldn't get it to fly.'　
They watched the mock waves turn.　
'You're bent on going?' said Vitoller, at last.　
'Yes. Tomjon's still a bit wild. He needs an older head around the place.'　
'I'll miss you, laddie. I don't mind telling you. You've been like a son to me. How old are you, exactly? I never did know.'　
'A hundred and two.1 commentTweetThe upcoming VNTG and EM renditions of nike">http://www.2012airmaxonline.com/air-max-yellow-air-max-90-yellow-c-21_33.html">nike air max 90 yellow classics act like opposites of one another, with one going the rewind route and adding some aged yellowing and the other upgrading the build with Engineered Mesh.czfnk06.'　
Vitoller nodded gloomily. He was sixty, and his arthritis was playing him up.　
'You've been like a father to me, then,' he said.　
'It evens out in the end,' said Hwel diffidently. 'Half the height, twice the age. You could say that on the overall average we live about the same length of time as humans.'　
The playmaster sighed. 'Well, I don't know what I will do without you and Tomjon around, and that's a fact.'　
'It's only for the summer, and a lot of the lads are staying. In fact it's mainly the apprentices that are going. You said yourself it'd be good experience.'　
Vitoller looked wretched and, in the chilly air of the half-finished theatre, a good deal smaller than usual, like a balloon two weeks after the party. He prodded some wood shavings distractedly with his stick.
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