The Legend of the Seeker: Trinity

Chapter Eleven: Torn

Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, Trinity, and Cara are walking in an open field. Richard is leading them with the compass in his hand.

"If the compass continues pointing us south we'll go right past the Falls of Aldamont." Zedd says.

"Is that some place important?" Richard asks.

Kahlan has a smile when she answers. "It's considered the most romantic spot in all the Midlands."

"Many a child was conceived beneath those cascading waters." Zedd says.

"I was there once, it's beautiful." Kahlan's eyes glaze in remembrance.

"Oh really? And who were you with?" Richard asks.

She smiles again and gives him a laugh. "My sister. At sunset when the light hits the falls the water glistens red. They say it's the reflection of all the lovers' hearts that kiss there."

"That or a reflection of the blood spilled at the Battle of Aldamont. Two hundred men were killed in that spot." Cara says. Trinity turns to look at Cara. "The rest threw their bodies into the rapids rather than surrender."

"Well that does sound romantic." Trinity says sarcastically. Kahlan laughs at the comment.

"If we move fast maybe we can get there in time to see the sunset." Richard says.

Kahlan and he share a look but her smirk drops when she looks over his shoulder, his attention goes there as well. There are two dead men hanging from a tree. The five of them walk over to the bodies. One of the bodies has a wooden sign on it.

"These men were tortured." Cara says. "Not very inspired work."

"It looks like they died before they were hanged." Richard says.

"Then why hang them?"

"Whoever did this; wanted to put them on display, to send a message."

Zedd walks closer to the bodies and grabs the wooden sign. "'Whoever attempts to subvert justice shall meet the same fate.' Kahlan take a look at this." He hands the sign to Kahlan.

She looks and sees a seal on the sign. "It's the seal of Aydindril." Zedd nods. She turns the sign over and looks at the back. "By order of the High Regnant."

"Who's that?" Richard asks.

She looks up from the sign to Zedd confused. "There's no such title. The only person with the authority to confer this seal is the Mother Confessor."

"Then who ordered these men killed?" Cara asks. Kahlan looks down at the symbol.

The wooden symbol is carved into a chair back. There is a well-dressed man sitting in the chair listening to another man pleading. "I can pay you fifteen gold pieces now – I'll – I'll have the rest soon, I promise. Please, Lord Regnant give me a little more time."

The Lord Regent is surrounded by guards; he leans forward in his chair. "You've had more than a month."

"It's been difficult for me to find work since you cut off my hand."

"Your hand was removed as punishment for stealing grain."

"Times are hard after the war, my family needed food."

The Lord Regent stands up. "You were tried fairly and found guilty; in accordance with the law you lost your hand."

"Wasn't that punishment enough?"

"For theft. But to steal that grain you also trespassed on Alric Larson's land. Should that crime simply go unpunished?"

"If the counsel and the Mother Confessor were here they would never allow this–"