Chapter Seventeen

The next thing Richard knew he was on the ground. Cara stood over him, her face obviously angry, until she was pushed out of the way.

"Get off him!" Denna shouted, her hair looked frazzled and out of place as she jumped in from of Richard.

Griggs then stepped in, grabbing Cara before she had a chance to react. "General, I'm sorry. I didn't think – "

Richard cut him off. "It's all right Griggs." Richard said as he stood up. He rubbed his jaw, and he sighed. "It's nice to see you too Cara."

Cara glanced at Denna, a scowl on her face. "What are you doing with her?"

Richard grabbed Denna's hand. "Denna is my most trusted advisor." He said calmly.

Cara scoffed. "You've been brain washed Richard. I know what it is like in bed with her."

Richard squeezed Denna's hand to stop her from reacting. He turned away from Cara to Dahlia, who had stood up. "Hello, Dahlia. How are you?"

"I've been better." She snapped at him.

"Richard!" Zedd's voice called from behind them. "The Basilisk is alive." Richard glanced at Griggs and then pulled Denna along with him.

They kneeled down besides Nicci, who looked a lot better. Most of her wounds were gone, but her body was still scattered with scars. "Nicci?" Richard whispered, putting his hand on her shoulder.

She let out a scream, but quickly silenced it. "Richard?" she asked, panting.

"It's all right, Nicci. You're all right. I got you." Richard said, taking her in his arms.

"Who knows that she is alive?" Zedd asked quietly.

"Just Denna and I." Richard told him. "We've had to keep her identity a secret, because of Darken and Nikolas."

Zedd nodded his head. "The Rahl campaign to control magic has been a pain in my arse for years."

"Darken has also been trying to capture her since we were sent here." Richard said quietly. "Nikolas is after Denna and I because – "

Zedd gave him a sharp glance, " I heard what happened to Kahlan." He paused. "I'm going to need you to explain that to me."

Richard gulped. "I will."

"General!" Griggs shouted, and Richard looked up to see Cara and the large man struggling.

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Leo rushed through the forest, trying to keep the three year old from getting whipped by the branches. Behind him he could hear the dogs barking, and behind him the glow from the bonfire that used to be Danesville. The three year old started crying as a branch hit his arm, and Leo ran faster as the dogs started barking.