Prelude

Richard feel to his knees as pain coursed through him. He could hear Kahlan calling his name, but all he saw was white. He could not breath; it was close to the feeling of an Agiel at the base of the skull. Time seemed to stop and all that existed was the pain, but this was not the familiar pain of a Mord – Sith. This was the magic of Shota.

He heard Shota shriek, "You do not comprehend the evil you could have wrought on the world! What you could have become!"

The pain was so intense Richard didn't understand what she was saying.

"Shota, no!" That was Kahlan, he thought.

"I will show you the other side!" Shota screamed.

Somehow the pain seemed to intensify. The only thing Richard could think of was the end of the pain. He didn't hear what Kahlan or Shota yelled at each other as the world turned to darkness.

Eternity struck.

He didn't know anything. He felt that this must have been what being in his mother's womb had been like. There was nothing to worry about, and he didn't worry. There was an everlasting calm that settled over him. He was awake and asleep, up and down, dark and light.

Suddenly, there was light again, and Richard didn't know where he was, but it wasn't Agaden Reach. The light stung at his eyes, trying to pry them open. He heard himself screaming and felt tears running down his face. He had a sudden memory of being born.

This had been a bad idea.