"Well," Cara said over her shoulder after they had ridden for a time through the hushed expanse of countryside, "we do this every night for a year or two, and that should just about wipe them all out."

For the first time in what seemed an eternity, Kahlan almost laughed.

Almost.

By the time Kahlan and Cara rode in among the wounded, the exhausted, and the sleeping D'Haran troops, it was only a few hours from dawn. Kahlan had thought they might have to find a safe place out in the grasslands to sleep and wait for daylight in order to find their way back, but they had been fortunate; a break in the cloud cover had allowed the stars to show them the way. In the shimmering sweep of stars alone, they had been able to see the black drape of mountains at the horizon. With that visual guide, they were able to make their way far out into the empty country so that they could safely get around the Imperial Order, and then head back north to their own troops.

A reception party awaited them. Men rushed up to form cheering rows as they passed into camp. Kahlan felt a distant sense of pride that she had given these men what they needed most right then: a measure of retribution.

From the back of Cara's horse, Kahlan lifted a hand to wave at the men she passed. She smiled for them alone.

Near the area where the horses were picketed, General Meiffert, having heard the cheering, was waiting impatiently. He trotted over to meet them.

Beside the gate of the temporary corral, one of the soldiers took the reins to the horse as Kahlan and then Cara jumped down. Kahlan winced at the ache in her muscles from the recent days of hard riding, and the night of fighting. Her right arm socket throbbed from the blows she had landed. She mused to herself that her sword arm never hurt like that in her mock battles with Richard. For the benefit of anyone watching, she forced herself to walk as if she had just had a three-day rest.

General Meiffert, looking no worse for the battle he had seen that night, clapped a fist to his heart. "Mother Confessor, you can't imagine how relieved I am to see you."

"And I you, General."

He leaned forward. "Please, Mother Confessor, you aren't going to do anything that foolhardy again, are you?"

"It wasn't foolhardy," Cara said. "I was with her, watching out for her."

He frowned over at Cara, but didn't argue with her. Kahlan wondered how one could fight a war without doing anything foolhardy. The entire thing was foolhardy.

"How many men did we lose?" Kahlan asked instead.

General Meiffert's face split with a grin. "None, Mother Confessor. Can you believe it? With the Creator's help, they all came back."

"I don't recall the Creator wielding a sword with us," Cara said.

Kahlan was dumbfounded. "That's the best news I could have, General."

"Mother Confessor, I can't tell you what a boost that was to the men.

But, please, you won't do anything like that again, will you?"

"I'm not here to smile and wave and look pretty for the men, General.

I'm here to help them send those murderous bastards into the eternal arms of the Keeper."

He sighed in resignation. "We have a tent for you. I'm sure you're tired."

Kahlan nodded and let the general lead her and Cara through the now quiet camp. Men not sleeping stood and silently saluted with fists to their hearts. Kahlan tried to smile for them. She could see in their eyes how much they appreciated what she had done to turn the tide of the grim battle back a little in their favor. They probably thought she had done it for them.

That was only partly true.

Arriving at a well-guarded group of a half-dozen tents, General Meiffert gestured to the one in the center.

"This was General Reibisch's tent, Mother Confessor. I had your things put inside. I thought you should have the best tent. If it bothers you to sleep in his tent, though, I'll have your belongings moved to anywhere you wish."

"It will be fine, General." Kahlan took stock of the man's young face, seeing the shadow of sorrow. She reminded herself that he was about the same age as she. "We all miss him."

His expression showed only some of the pain she thought he must feel.

"I can't replace a man like that, Mother Confessor. He was not just a great general, but a great man, too. He taught me a lot and honored me with his trust. He was the best man I ever served under. I don't want you to have any illusions about my replacing him. I know I can't."

"No one asked you to. Your best effort is all we expect and will serve us well, I'm sure."

He smiled at her generosity. "You'll have that, Mother Confessor. I promise you, you'll have that." He turned to Cara and changed the subject.

"I had your things put in this tent, here, Mistress Cara." It was the one right beside Kahlan's tent.

Cara scanned the scene, taking note of the patrolling guards. When Kahlan told her that she was going to go right to bed, and that she should get some sleep, too, Cara agreed and bade the two of them a good night before disappearing into her tent.

"I appreciated your help, tonight, General. You should get some sleep, too."

He bowed his head, turned to leave, but then turned back.

"You know, I always hoped to someday become a general. Ever since I was a boy, I've dreamed of it. I imagined. ." He looked away from Kahlan's eyes. "I guess I imagined it would make me proud and happy." He hooked his thumbs in his pockets and gazed out over the dark camp, perhaps seeing all those dreams from his past, or maybe seeing all his new duties.

"It didn't make me feel happy at all," he finally said.

"I know," she answered in sincere sympathy. "This wasn't the way any good man would want to gain rank, but sometimes challenges arise, and we must face them." She let out a silent sigh, and tried to envision how he must feel. "Someday, General, the pride and satisfaction will come. It comes from doing the job well and knowing that you are making a difference."

He nodded. "I know it felt pretty good, tonight, Mother Confessor, when I saw you on the back of Cara's horse, returning safely to camp. I look forward to the day when I see Lord Rahl ride into camp, too." He started away. "Sleep well. Dawn is in a couple of hours. Then we'll find out what the new day will bring. I'll have reports ready for you."

-]--

Inside her tent, Zedd was sitting alone, waiting. Kahlan groaned inwardly.

She was dead tired and didn't want to face the old wizard's questioning. Sometimes, especially if you were tired, his nettling questions could become irksome. She knew he meant well, but she was in no mood for it.

She didn't think she could even be civil to him if he started down his road of a thousand questions. It was so late, and she was so tired, she simply wished he would let her be.

She stood just inside, saying nothing, watching him as he rose to his feet. His wavy white hair was more disorderly than usual. His heavy robes were filthy and spattered with blood. Around his knees the robes were dark with dried blood.

He gave her a long look, and then enclosed her in his skinny arms. She just wanted to sleep. He silently held her head to his shoulder. Maybe he thought she might be about to start crying, but there seemed no tears left.

She felt numb. She supposed it was the constant rage, but she just couldn't cry anymore. She seemed only able to feel anger.

Zedd finally held her out at arm's length, squeezing her shoulders in his surprisingly strong fingers. "I just wanted to wait until you were back, and safe, before I went to bed. I wanted to let my eyes take you in." He smiled in a sad way. "I'm so very relieved you're safe. Sleep well, Kahlan."