"But Lord Rahl," someone complained, "that is too big a task for us. We are simple people, not warriors. Maybe if you were to lead us it would be different."

Richard laid a hand on his chest. "I was a simple woods guide when I realized that I had to rise to the challenges facing me. I, too, didn't want to lace the seemingly invincible evil that loomed over me. But a wise woman-the woman that statue is modeled after-made me see that I had lo do so. I am no better than you, no stronger than you. I am simply a man who has come to understand the need to stand without compromise against tyranny. I have taken up that cause because I no longer wanted to live in fear, but to live my own life.

"Those people in the New World to the north are fighting and dying every day. They are simple people like you. None of them wishes to fight, but they must or they will surely die. Their fate today is your fate tomorrow. They can't continue to stand alone and hope to win. When your time comes, neither will you. They need you to be a part of a free world, to attack those who bring the shadow of a dark age over all the world."

A man near the front spoke up. "But aren't you saying the same thing as the Order, that we must sacrifice for the greater good of mankind?"

Richard smiled at the very idea. "Those who wish to impose an idea of a greater good are simply haters of the good. It's enlightened self-interest that causes me to lift a sword against the Imperial Order. It's purely for your own self-interest, and your self-interest in those you love, that I think you should fight-in whatever way you think you can best help our common goal. I'm not forcing you to fight for the greater good of mankind, but trying to make you see that it's a fight for your own life.

"Don't ever make the mistake of thinking that such self-interest is wrong. Self-interest is survival. Self-interest is the substance of life.

"In your own reasoned self-interest, I suggest that you rise up and strike down the Order. Only then can you truly have freedom.

"The eyes of the Old World are upon you."

The dark figures of all the people in fading light stretched back as far as Richard could see. He was relieved to see a lot of nodding heads.

Victor's gaze swept over the men before he turned back to Richard. "I think we are of a mind, Lord Rahl. I will do what I can to see it through."

Richard clasped arms with Victor as the crowd broke into cheering. Finally, as men all across Liberty Square began talking among themselves as to how best to meet the challenge, Richard turned away and took Nicci aside. Cara followed close on his heels.

"Richard, I know the value of what you have just done, but these people still need you to.»

"Nicci," he said, cutting her off, "I have to leave in the morning. Cara is going with me. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I think it would be a good idea if you were to choose to stay and help these people. They're facing a terrible enough challenge just with the soldiers, but they additionally must face a wizard. You know a lot better than I how to counter that kind of threat. You could be a tremendous help to these people."

She looked for a long time into his eyes before she glanced to the crowd not far off behind him and down the steps.

"I need to be with you," she said in a measured tone, but it still sounded to him like a plea.

"Like I said, it's your life and I'm not going to tell you what to do, just like I'd not like you trying to tell me what I must do."

"You should stay and help," she said. She broke eye contact and looked away. "But it's your life and you must do what you think best. I guess, after all you are the Seeker." She again glanced at the men gathering around close to Victor, making plans. "These people may not right now voice objections to what you had to say, but they will be thinking about it and they may very well decide later, after they face the soldiers, after a terrible and bloody fight, that they don't wish to do more."

"I was kind of hoping that if you stayed and help them defeat this wizard and the troops coming this way, that you could then add your weight to my words and help convince them of what they need to do. Many of them are well aware of how much you know about the nature of the Order. They will put stock in what you say to them, especially if you've just helped them save their city and keep their families safe." Richard waited until she looked up at him before he went on. "After that, you could then come to join Cara and me."

She appraised his eyes as she folded her arms across her breasts. "You arc saying that if I help stop the Order's force coming to kill all these people, then you would allow me to join you?"

"I'm just telling you what I think would be the most beneficial thing for you to do in our struggle to eliminate the Order. I'm not telling you what to do."

She looked away again. "But it would please you if I did as you suggest and stay to help these people."

Richard shrugged. "I admit to that."

Nicci sighed irritably. "Then I will stay, as you suggest, and help them defeat the threat looming a few days away. But if I do that-defeat the troops and eliminate the wizard-then you would allow me to join you'/"

"I said I would."

She finally, reluctantly, nodded. "I agree."

Richard turned. "Ishaq?"

The man hurried close. "Yes?"

"I need six horses."

"Six? You will be taking others with you?"

"No, just Cara and me. We'll be needing fresh mounts along the way so we can rotate the horses we ride to keep them strong enough for the journey. We need fast horses, not the draft horses from your wagons. And tack," Richard added.

"Fast horses.» Ishaq lifted his hat and with the same hand scratched his scalp. He looked up. "When?"

"I need to leave as soon as it's light enough."

Ishaq eyed Richard suspiciously. "I suppose this is to be in partial payment for what I owe you?"

"I wanted to ease your conscience about when you could begin to repay me."

Ishaq succumbed to a brief laugh. "You will have what you need. I will see to it that you have supplies as well."

Richard laid a hand on Ishaq's shoulder. "Thank you, my friend. I appreciate it. I hope someday I can get back here and haul a load or two for you, just for old times' sake."

That brightened Ishaq's expression. "After we are all free for good?"

Richard nodded. "Free for good." He glanced at the stars beginning to dot the sky. "Do you know a handy place where we can get some food and a place to sleep for the night?"

Ishaq gestured off across the broad expanse of the old palace grounds to the hill where the work shacks used to be. "We have inns, now, since you were here last. People come to see Liberty Square and so they need rooms. I have built a place up there where I rent rooms. They are among the finest available." He lifted a finger. "I have a reputation to uphold of offering the best of everything, whether it be wagons to haul goods, or rooms for weary travelers."

"I have a feeling that what you owe me is going to be dwindling rapidly."

Ishaq smiled as he shrugged. "Many people come to see this remarkable statue. Rooms are hard to come by, so they are not cheap."

"I wouldn't have expected them to be."

"But they are reasonable," Ishaq insisted. "A good value for the price, And I have a stable right next door, so I can bring your horses once I collect them. I will do it now."

"All right." Richard lifted his pack and swung it onto a shoulder. "At least it's not far, even if it is expensive."

Ishaq spread his hands expansively. "And the view at sunrise is worth the price." He grinned. "But for you, Richard, Mistress Cara, and Mistress Nicci, no charge."

"No, no." Lifting a hand, Richard forestalled any argument. "It's only fair that you should be able to earn a return on your investment. Deduct it from what you owe me. What with the interest, I'm sure the amount has grown handsomely."