Wide-eyed, she looked back at the elders and told them what Richard had said. They lowered themselves uncertainly back in place. He leaned back, turning casually to them, an innocent expression on his face.

“You know, back in Hartland, in Westland, where I am from, we eat these things all the time.” He took a couple more bites. Their eyes were wide. “Have for as long as anyone knows. Men and women both eat them. We have healthy children.” He snapped off another piece, turning and watching her as she translated. He chewed slowly, prolonging the tension. He looked over his shoulder at the Bird Man. “‘Course, it could be that it makes a man’s seed poison to any woman other than one of our own. Never been put to the test, far as I know.”

He let his gaze settle back on Kahlan as he took another bite, letting his words sink in after she translated. The girl next to him was getting nervous. The elders were getting nervous. The Bird Man showed no emotion. Richard had his arms half folded, one elbow resting in his other hand, so he could hold the apple near his mouth, where everyone could see it. He started to take a bite, then stopped, thinking to offer a bite to the Bird Man’s niece. She turned her head away. He looked back at the elders.

“I find them quite good. Really.” He shrugged. “But then, there is the thing about them maybe making my seed poison. But I don’t want you to think I’m not willing to try. I just thought you should know, that’s all. I wouldn’t want it to be said I wasn’t willing to go along with the duties that go with becoming a Mud Person. I am. More than willing.” He ran the back of his finger down the girl’s cheek. “I assure you, it would be an honor. This fine young woman will make a splendid mother for my child, I am sure.” Richard let out a sigh. “If she lives, of course.” He took another bite.

The elders looked apprehensively from one to another. None spoke. The mood on the platform had definitely changed. They were no longer in control—Richard was. It had happened in a blink. They were now afraid to move much more than their eyes. Without looking at them, Richard went on.

“‘Course, it’s up to you. I’m willing to give it a try, but I thought you should know of the ways of my homeland. I didn’t think it would be fair not to tell you.” Now Richard turned to them, his eyebrows set in a menacing frown, his voice carrying a thread of threat. “So, if the elders, in their wisdom, wish to ask me not to perform this duty, I will understand, and with regret, comply with their wishes.”

He held them in his hard gaze. Savidlin grinned. The other five were of no mind to challenge Richard, and turned to the Bird Man beseeching direction. He sat still, a bead of sweat rolling down the leathery skin of his neck, silver hair limp on the buckskin shoulders of his tunic, holding Richard’s eyes for a short time. His mouth turned up in a small smile that showed in his eyes, too, and he nodded slightly to himself.

“Richard With The Temper,” his voice was even, and strong, for not only the elders, but also the crowd that had gathered around the platform, were listening, “since you are from a different land, and your seed could be poisonous to this young woman…” he lifted one eyebrow, leaning the slightest bit forward, “…my niece,” he looked to her, then back to Richard, “we beg that you not hold us to this tradition—that you not take her as your wife. I am sorry to have to ask this of you. I know you were looking forward to giving us your child.”

Richard nodded seriously. “Yes, I was. But I will just have to live with my failing, and try to make the Mud People, my people, proud of me in other ways.” He was closing the deal with a condition of his own: they were not going to be allowed to back out now—he was a Mud Person and this would not change it.

There was a collective sigh of relief from the other elders. They all nodded, only too happy to have the matter settled to his liking. The young woman smiled with relief at her uncle and left. Richard turned to Kahlan—his face showed no emotion.

“Are there any other conditions that I don’t know about?”

“No.” Kahlan felt confused. She didn’t know if she felt happy because Richard had gotten out of taking a wife, or if she was heartbroken because he felt she had betrayed him.

He turned to the elders. “Is my presence required any longer tonight?”

The five were delighted to grant him his wish to leave. Savidlin seemed a little disappointed. The Bird Man said that the Seeker had been a great savior of his people, had performed his duties with honor, and that if he was tired from the struggles of the day, he could be excused.

Richard stood slowly, towering over her. His boots were right in front of her. Kahlan knew he was looking down at her, but she fixed her eyes on the floor.

“Piece of advice,” he said in a voice that surprised her with its gentleness, “since you have never had a friend before. Friends don’t bargain away another friend’s rights. Or their hearts.”

She couldn’t bring herself to look up at him.

He dropped the apple core in her lap and walked off, disappearing in the crowd.

Kahlan sat on the elders’ platform, in a fog of loneliness, watching her fingers shake. The others watched the dancers. With supreme effort she counted the drumbeats and used the count to help her control her breathing and keep from crying. The Bird Man came and sat next to her. She found herself cheered by the company.

He raised an eyebrow to her, leaning closer. “Someday, I would like to meet the wizard who named that one. I would like to know where he finds such Seekers.”

Kahlan was surprised she could still laugh.

“Someday,” she said, smiling at him, “if I live, and we win, I promise I will bring him here, to meet you. In many ways, he is as remarkable as Richard.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “I shall hone my wits to defend myself in the encounter.”

She leaned her head against him and laughed until she started to cry. He put his aria protectively around her shoulders.

“I should have listened to you,” she sobbed. “I should have asked him his wishes. I had no right to do as I did.”

“Your desire to stop Darken Rahl made you do what you thought necessary. Sometimes, making the wrong choice is better than making no choice. You have the courage to go forward, that is rare. A person who stands at the fork, unable to pick, will never get anywhere.”

“But it hurts so much to have him angry at me,” she cried.

“I will tell you a secret you might not otherwise learn until you are too old to benefit from the knowledge.” Wet eyes looked up at his smile. “It hurts him just as much to be angry at you, as it hurts you when he is that angry.”

“Really?”

He laughed silently and nodded. “Take it on faith, child.”

“I had no right, I should have seen that before. I am so sorry l did it.”

“Don’t tell me. Tell him.”

She pushed away, looking at his weathered face. “l think I will. Thank you, honored elder.”

“And while you are offering apologies, offer mine also.”

Kahlan frowned. “For what?”

He sighed. “Being old, being an elder, does not exclude you from holding foolish ideas. Today, I too made a mistake, for Richard, and for my niece. I, too, had no right. Thank him for me, for keeping me from imposing deeds I should have questioned, but did not.” He took his whistle from around his neck. “Give him this gift, with my thanks, for opening my eyes. May it serve him well. Tomorrow, I will show him how to use it.”

“But, you need it to call the birds.”

He smiled. “I have others. Go now.”

Kahlan took the whistle, clutching it tightly in her hand. She wiped the tears from her face. “In my whole life, I’ve hardly ever cried. Since the boundary to D’Hara came down, it seems as if that’s all I do.”