Kahlan couldn't bring herself to say his name at that moment, or the spell of the joyful celebration would have been broken.

Zedd lifted an eyebrow with playful delight. "What makes you think I can dance?"

Kahlan laughed. "Because there isn't anything you can't do."

"I be able to name a number of things this skinny old man can't do,"

Adie said with a smile as she shuffled up behind him.

When the dance was done, and others began joining in as the newly married couple began the second, Zedd and Adie went out in the ring to have a dance and show the young people how it was done. Kahlan stood at the edge of the circle with Cara close at her side. General Meiffert, laughing and shaking men's hands, slapping others on the back, made his way over.

"Mother Confessor!" He was pushed up close by the press of the crowd.

"Mother Confessor, this is a wonderful day, isn't it? Have you ever seen the likes of it?"

Kahlan couldn't help but to smile at his delight. "No, General Meiffert, I don't think I have."

He glanced briefly at Cara. He stood awkwardly a moment, then turned to watch the dancing. Despite how well the men had come to know her, Kahlan was still a Confessor-a woman people feared to be near, much less touch. No one was likely to ask a Confessor to dance.

Or a Mord-Sith.

"General?" Kahlan asked, tapping him on the back of his shoulder.

"General, could you do me a great personal favor?"

"Well, of course, Mother Confessor," he stammered. "Anything. What is it I can do?"

Kahlan gestured out at the dance area and the soldiers and Sisters ringing it. "Would you please dance? I know we're supposed to be on guard for any mischief, but I think it would let the men see the true festive nature of this party, were their general to go out there and dance."

"Dance?"

"Yes. Please?"

"But, I-that is, I don't know who. ."

"Oh, do please stop trying to get out of it." Kahlan turned, as if suddenly struck with a thought. "Cara. Would you go out there with him and dance so his men will see that it's all right to join in?"

Cara's blue eyes shifted between Kahlan and the general. "Well, I don't see how-"

"Do it for me? Please, Cara?" Kahlan turned back to the general. "I believe I heard someone mention that your given name is Benjamin?"

He scratched his temple. "That's right, Mother Confessor."

Kahlan turned back to Cara. "Cara, Benjamin, here, needs a-partner for a dance. How about you? Please? Do it for me?"

Cara cleared her throat. "Well, all right. For you, then, Mother Confessor."

"And don't break his ribs, or anything. We have need of his talents."

Cara scowled back over her shoulder as a smiling Benjamin led her away.

Kahlan folded her arms and grinned as she watched the man take Cara in his arms. It was just about a perfect day. Just about.

Kahlan was watching Benjamin gracefully swirl Cara around, and other soldiers pulling suddenly shy Sisters out of the line at the edge of the dance area, when Captain Ryan stumbled up.

He straightened before her. "Mother Confessor. . uh, well, we've been through a lot together and, if I'm not being too forward, could I ask you to. . you know, dance?"

Kahlan blinked in surprise at the tall, young, broad Galean.

"Why, yes, Bradley, I would love to dance with you. I would love it.

But only if you promise not to hold me like I'm made of glass. I don't want to look foolish out there."

He grinned and nodded. "All right."

She placed one hand in his, and laid the other over his shoulder. He put his big hand to the side of her waist, under her open fur mantle, and twirled her out amid the merrymakers. Kahlan smiled and laughed as she endured it. She thought of Spirit, and willed herself to remember that kind of strength, and she was able to relax, and take the party for what it was, and not think about what was missing as another man held her in his arms, if timidly.

"Bradley, you're a wonderful dancer."

Pride shined in his eyes. She felt him loosen up, and let the music flow more smoothly through his movements. Kahlan caught sight of Cara and Benjamin, not far away, doing their best to dance and not look at each other. When he whirled her around him, his arm securely holding her waist, Cara's long blond braid sailed out behind her. Then Kahlan actually saw Cara look up into Benjamin's blue eyes and smile.

Kahlan was relieved when the song ended and Captain Ryan was replaced for the next dance by Zedd. She held him close as she moved to a slower tune with him.

"I'm proud of you, Mother Confessor. You gave a wonderful thing to these men."

"And what is that?"

"Your heart." He tilted his head. "See them watching you? You've given them courage. You've given them a reason to believe in what they're doing."

Kahlan lifted an eyebrow. "You trickster, you. You may fool others, but not me. It is you who has given me heart."

Zedd only smiled. "You know, not since the very first Confessor has a man ever again figured out how to love such a woman without her power destroying him. I'm glad it was my grandson who accomplished such an exploit, and that it was for his love of you. I love you as a granddaughter, Kahlan, and look forward to the day when you are back with my grandson."

Kahlan held Zedd close, resting her head against his shoulder, as they both danced on with their memories.

As the dancing went on, the golden setting sun was finally replaced by torches and warm fires. Sisters changed partners after each dance, and still there were jovial men lined up out of sight waiting a turn, and not just with the younger, more attractive Sisters. Cooks' helpers set out simple fare on food tables, sampling some and joking with the soldiers as they went about their task. Between dances, Warren and Verna tried the variety of food from different tables.

Kahlan danced once more with Captain Ryan, and once more with Zedd, but then busied herself speaking to officers and soldiers alike so she wouldn't have to dance with anyone, should anyone feel awkward about asking her, yet work up the nerve. She was more able to enjoy the festivities without having to dance.

As she was greeting a line of young officers, and they were telling her how much they appreciated the party, someone tapped Kahlan on the shoulder.

She turned to a smiling Warren.

"Mother Confessor, I would be honored were you to have a dance with me."

Kahlan noticed Verna dancing with Zedd. This was one dance that would be different. "Warren, I would love to dance with the handsome groom."

He moved smoothly with her, not at all haltingly as she had expected.

He seemed to be blissfully at peace, and not nervous about the crush of people or the men constantly clapping him on the back, or the joking remarks from some of the Sisters.

"Mother Confessor, I just wanted to thank you for making this the best day I've ever had."

Kahlan smiled up into his young face, his ageless eyes. "Warren, thank you for agreeing to this big party. I know it's not the sort of thing that fits you-"

"Oh, but it is. That's just it. People used to call me the mole."

"They did? Why?"

"Because I used to stay down in the vaults all the time studying the prophecies. It wasn't just that I liked to study the books-I was afraid to come out."

"But you finally did."

He turned her in time with the sweep of music. "Richard brought me out."

"He did? I never knew that."

"In a way, you've helped add to what he started." Warren smiled distantly. "I just wanted to thank you. I know how much I miss him, and how much Verna misses him. I know the men miss their Lord Rahl."

Kahlan was only able to nod.