Faith of the Fallen   ::   Goodkind Terry

Victor's mouth labored a moment before words finally worked their way out. His hand, usually so expressive, simply pointed at her as if she could not be real flesh.

"You. ." he said to Kahlan. "You are Richard's love."

Kahlan smiled. "How do you know that?"

"I saw the statue."

In the dawn light, Richard could see her face go red.

"It didn't look exactly like me," she protested, graciously.

"Not the way it looked, but the. . character. You have that quality."

Kahlan smiled, pleased by his words.

"Victor, Ishaq, this is Kahlan. My wife."

Both men blinked dumbly and looked as one to Nicci.

"As you know," Nicci said, "I am not a very good person. I am a sorceress. I used my power to force Richard to come here with me. Richard has shown me, along with many other people, the nobility of life."

"Then you're the one who saved his life?" Victor asked.

"Kamil told us you were hurt, Richard," Ishaq said, "and that a sorceress was healing you."

"Nicci healed me," Richard confirmed.

Victor gestured expansively-at last. "Well, I guess that has to count for something, saving Richard Cypher."

"Richard Rahl," Richard said.

Victor's rolling laugh rumbled up from deep inside. "Right. This day, we are all Richard Rahl."

Nicci leaned in. "It really is Richard Rahl, Mr. Cascella."

"Richard Rahl," Kahlan said, adding her nod.

"Lord Rahl," Cara said in ill humor. "Show the proper respect to the Seeker of Truth, the master of the D'Haran Empire, war wizard, and the husband to the Mother Confessor herself." Cara lifted her hand in graceful, regal introduction. "Lord Rahl."

Richard shrugged. He lifted the gleaming, silver-wound hilt of his sword, showing them the word TRUTH in gold, and then let it drop back into its scabbard.

"What a beauty!" Kamil shouted.

Victor and Ishaq both blinked again, and then dropped to a knee. They bowed their heads deeply.

Richard rolled his eyes. "Will you two stop it." He shot Cara a scowl.

Victor peered up cautiously. "But we never knew. I'm sorry. You're not angry I made fun of you?"

"Victor, it's me, Richard. How many times have we eaten your lardo together?"

"Lardo?" Kahlan asked. "You know how to make lardo, Victor?"

Victor rose up, a grin growing across his face as he peered at her.

"You know of lardo?"

"Of course.