Unexpected Chances

"Saddle my horse" I commanded walking fast down the marble halls of the Confessor's Palace. My black skirts flapping around my legs and my men who trailed behind me echoed on the high beamed ceilings.

"Yes Mistress." bowed Gregor as we whisked on by him. He ran quickly in the opposite direction of the stable yard as I made my way to the council chambers. When I got there, I didn't wait for them to escort me in, but I burst through the doors causing them to slam open. The entire council quickly stood as I entered, apprehension written on every face.

"Who delivered this message?" I demanded, anger settling in the pit of my stomach as I pulled the document out in front of me, showing them the source of my anger.

"Mother Confessor…." Said General Kennitt as he came forward bowing his head in respect. "A rider came this morning from O'Lairia. We have detained him, of course, if you would like to speak with him."

I gritted my teeth in frustration and came to stand in front of the General…."Why didn't you have him waiting for me?" Looking up I ordered two of my gaurds to fetch him. I passed the floor waiting impatiently….no one spoke for fear of me snapping at them. And I would have but they were wise enough to stay out of my way.

When, at last, the doors to the council chamber were opened I turned. They brought in a man wearing a dark brown cloak, his hood pulled up shielding his face from view. I sighed impatiently "Remove you hood in the presence of the Mother Confessor.' I demanded "I have a war to fight….so make this brief." I said, turning around to take a seat in my chair. He waited for me to be seated and then he pulled back his hood.

The moment I saw his face my heart jumped to my throat and I couldn't speak. It had been two years since Richard and I had finished our mission to defeat Darken Rahl and we had both returned to our homes. Seeing him again was something I thought would never happen.

My heart began to throb in my chest and I felt butterflies in my stomach but my confessor face never wavered. His face was still the same…kind and compassionate with eyes that you could lose yourself in. He beamed a smile at me when our eyes met and spoke out of turn…so like the Richard I had left two years ago.

"Kahlan….It's so good to see you. I…."

"What are you doing here, Richard?" I asked showing mock anger instead of surprise and joy which were my true feelings.

"I heard about the fight with the Old World while living in Heartland. Many of the men from there have already left to join forces in support of the army of the Midlands. I was concerned for you…knowing that they were close to Aydindril. I wanted to make sure you were protected. So I had permission to leave my post in O'Lairia to join a unit closer to you. I brought the message informing you of the destruction of….."

"Richard, I'm the Mother Confessor." I cut in. I had not informed anyone of the contents of the message as of yet. Many of the men in this chamber had family in the Seran Province and I wished to inform them all together of its destruction without the council first. "I can take care of myself. If you want to help, be my guest, we could always use an extra pair of hands. But you will fight with my army and sleep with them in the barracks. My men will direct you where to go." Standing, I made my way towards him, pulling the sword of truth out from the scabbard behind my back. "You'll be needing this, I think" I thrust it into his hands and he nodded his thanks as I stormed out of the room.

Sorry this is so short but I promise to try and update soon.