"And I know how much you miss your husband. That's why I wanted to thank you-for giving us this, and the gift of your grace, despite your heartache. Everyone here feels it with you. Please know that while you miss him, you are not alone, and are among those who love him too."

Kahlan smiled, and managed to get out a "Thank you."

As they danced across the open area, laughing at the merry tune and the awkward steps of some of the soldiers, the music abruptly trailed off.

It was then that she heard the horns.

Alarm swept through the assembled soldiers, as men ran for their weapons, until one of the sentries sprinted in, waving his arm, calling out for everyone to stand down, that it was friendly forces.

Puzzled, Kahlan stretched her neck along with everyone else, trying to see. They had no forces out. She had let them all be present to enjoy the wedding party.

The crowd parted as horses trotted through the throng. Kahlan's eyebrows went up, and her jaw dropped. The distinguished General Baldwin, commander of all Keltish forces, was at the fore, riding a handsome chestnut gelding. He brought the horse to a smart halt. He ran his first finger along the length of his white-flecked dark mustache as he took in the crowd gathered in around him. His graying black hair grew down over his ears, and his pate shone through on top. He was a striking figure in his serge cape fastened on one shoulder with two buttons, allowing it to show the rich green silk lining. His tan surcoat was decorated with a heraldic emblem slashed through with a diagonal black line dividing a yellow and blue shield. The man's high boots were rolled down below his knees. Long black gauntlets, their flared cuffs lying over the front, were tucked behind a wide belt set with an ornate buckle.

The press of men made way for Kahlan to step through. "General!"

He lifted a hand in his noble manner, a smile spreading wide. "Mother Confessor, how good to see you."

Kahlan started to speak, but horses charged through, the crowd falling back for them. They stormed into the dance area like a wind-borne fire-a dozen Mord-Sith in red leather. One of the women leaped from her horse.

"Rikka!" Cara called out.

The woman's bold glare swept over the gathered people. She finally settled her gaze, taking in Cara. Cara moved out of General Meiffert's arms.

"Cara," she said as way of greeting. She glanced around. "Where is Hania?"

Cara stepped closer. "Hania? She's not here."

The woman pressed her lips together in bitter disappointment. "I thought as much. When I never received word back, I feared we had lost her.

Still, I was hoping. ."

Kahlan stepped forward, a little miffed that the woman saw fit to step in front of General Baldwin. "Rikka, is it?"

"Ah," Rikka said, a knowing smile stealing onto her face, "You could be none other than Lord Rahl's wife-the Mother Confessor. I recognize the description." The woman saluted casually with a fist to her heart. "Yes, I am Rikka."

"I'm glad to have you here, and your sisters of the Agiel."

"I came from Aydindril as soon as Berdine received your letter. It explained a lot. She and I discussed it, and decided I should come with some of my sisters to help in our effort. I left six sister Mord-Sith with Berdine to watch over Aydindril and the Wizard's Keep. I also brought twenty thousand troops." She lifted a thumb, pointing with it behind her. "We met up with the general, here, a week back."

"We can certainly use your help. That was wise of Berdine-I know how eager she was to come herself, but she knows the city and the Keep. I'm glad she followed my instructions." Kahlan settled her most unsettling Mother-Confessor-gaze on Rikka. "Now, if you don't mind, you interrupted General Baldwin."

Cara shoved Rikka, pushing her back out of the way. "We need to talk, Rikka, before you're up to the task of serving Lord Rahl and his wife, who just happens to be a sister of the Agiel."

Rikka lifted and eyebrow in surprise. "Really? How could-"

"Later," Cara said with a smile before Rikka could get herself into any more trouble, moving the woman and her sister Mord-Sith back. Zedd, Adie, and Verna eased closer to Kahlan.

General Baldwin, now off his horse, stepped forward at last and went to a knee in a bow. "My queen, Mother Confessor."

"Rise, my child," Kahlan said in formal answer as the camp looked on with the same rapt attention they had devoted to the wedding. This had important bearing on them, too.

The general rose to his feet. "I came as soon as I received your letter, Mother Confessor."

"How many men did you bring?"

He looked surprised by the question. "Why. . all of them. One hundred seventy thousand men. When my queen asks for an army, I bring her one."

Whispers spread through the men as they passed word back.

Kahlan was stunned. She no longer even felt the cold. "That's wonderful, General. They are sorely needed. We have a real fight on our hands, as I explained in my letter. The Imperial Order is getting reinforcements all the time. We need to cut those lines."

"I understand. With the D'Harans from Aydindril come with us, we can just about triple the size of your force down here."

"And we can still bring more in from D'Hara," General Meiffert said.

Kahlan felt the hot spark of faith in their chances swelling within her breast. "By spring, for sure, we will need them." She cocked her head at General Baldwin. "What about Lieutenant Leiden?"

"Who? Oh, you must mean Sergeant Leiden. He only has a scout patrol, now. When a man deserts his queen, he's lucky to keep his head, but he acted to protect her people, so I sent him to guard some remote pass. I hope the man dresses warmly."

Kahlan wanted to throw her arms around the dashing General Baldwin.

Instead, she touched her fingers to his arm in a gesture of her gratitude.

"Thank you, General. We surely need the men."

"Well, they're up country a little ways, half a day back. Couldn't fit them all in here with your army."

"That's fine." Kahlan waggled her fingers, calling the Mord-Sith forward. "I'm very glad to see you, too, Rikka. With Mord-Sith, we can better handle the enemy gifted. We may even be able to turn the tide. Cara, here, has helped eliminate some of the gifted already, but I'm afraid that Lord Rahl has her under orders to protect me. She will continue in that capacity. But you will be free to go after their gifted."

Rikka bowed. "Love to." She came up and smiled. "Berdine warned me about her," she said under her breath to Cara.

"You should listen to Berdine," Cara said, clapping her on the back.

"Come, I'll help you find some quarters-"

"No," Kahlan said, stopping them in their tracks. "This is a party. The general, Rikka, and her sisters are invited. In fact, I insist."

"Well," Rikka said, brightening, "as long as we're protecting Lord Rahl's wife, we would be only to happy to stay."

Kahlan took Rikka's arm and pulled her close. "Rikka, we have a lot of men here, and few women. This is a dance. Get out there and dance."

"What! Are you out of your-"

Kahlan shoved her out into the dance area. She snapped her fingers at the musicians. "Shall we resume?" She turned to General Baldwin. "General, you have come at a wonderful time, a time of celebration. Please, would you dance with me?"

"Mother Confessor?"

"I am your queen, also. Generals dance with queens, do they not?"

He smiled and offered his arm. "Of course they do, my queen."

Long after it was dark, the wedding procession made its way through the makeshift streets, greeting all the men. Thousands of soldiers congratulated Warren and Verna on their marriage, offered jesting advice, a gentle slap on the back, or just a merry wave.